The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-10
THE DEMOCRATIC caucus.


-4-~~-
We infurrnei that the Caucus Of the Democratic
Members vi Las Hou1s Of Representative held nst eve
ming in the Hall Of the Mouse Of Representative ws
fully attended upwards Of seventy gentlemen being pres
emit
Mr. George w JONES' Of Tennessee was chosen Chair
and Mesrs rendeton of Ohio aud Jenkins OF Wiz
ginis chosen Secretaries.
Mr.. Phelps, Of Missouri, offered the following resolu-
tons
Rcsleed lst, That the Treasury note law ought 10 be
extended; zd, That speedy action ought To be had on
the appropriation bills and 3D. That the expense OF
the government ought to b. reduced much possible
consistently with the interest OF the public service
Mr Crawford of Georgia. offered as a substitute for the
resolutions of MIR, Phelps the following
Rssoipsd lst That il is nexpe.lient TO alter the Tariff
law Of 1851 3D. That the Treasury law be extend
ed and 3D. That the President call his Cabinet together
and ascertain how the expenses bc reduced.
Mr. Dewart, of Pennsylvania inquired how far gentle
men present to consider themselves bound by the
action Of the Caucus ~ s.- t-.
Mr. Reilly Of Pennsylvania, said he had supposed,
from what he had heard that the subject of the tariff
would not be introduced nte this caucus.
Mr. Stephens, of Georgia. of the opinion that this
council of friends in which the discussion of any
question was legitimate He did think it necessary
to disturb the tariff OF 1851 but he did consider that
any action which the might take upon it would
be individually binding upon gentlemen present. He
believed that the deficiency in the only tenn
porary- ~ ~ 80
Mr.. John Cochrane, of New York, urged harmonious
action the part OF the democratic party. He for
retrenchmcnt wherever ii could be carried out The
true democratic doctrine, in his opinion, tariff for
revenue.
,ir. Singleton, Of Mississippi urged retrenchment Of
the expenses of the general government.
Mr.. Scott OF California stated that he did not wish
TO commit himself in favor OF alteration of the tariff
Of 81 yet ii necessary he would vote for its In
| crease.
Mr. Wheley of Delaware, thought that the tariff ought
to be modified He did not believe the sufficient
to dofray the expenses of the government He OPP
posed to direct taxes and in favor OF increasing the tariff
rather than resort to loan
Mr.. Barlksale, of Mississippi expressed himself de-
csledly in favor of a tariff.
Mr. Smith, of Virginia, advocated retrenchment, and
of opinion that ought to be raised by lessen
| ing the free-list.
| Mr. sckes, of New York, an advocate of perfect
harmony In the democratic party and considered that the
passage of the resolutions would secure it.
Mr. Taylor of Louisiana thought that it would be bet
ter provided that IL could be DONE to raise su
cnt to deay current expenses and to pay that part of
the public debt which will fall due in two years
He opposed to an extra session.
Mr. Bowie, Of Maryland, advocated revenue tariff.
Mr. Mcae, of Mississippi ia favor of direct taxa
ton first and Of import duties next to defray the expenses
the and to pay the public debt in accord
with the eighth section Of the first article of the Con-
stitntion of the United States.
Mr. Boyce, Of South Carolina of opinion that Con-
gress could do nothing to reduce the expenditures the
government without the operation Of the Executive
He was, to extent, in favor of direct taxation.
Mr. Clay of Kentucky believed that the time too
short to adjust the tariff during the present session of
Congress, and expressed himself in favor of borrowing
money in order to relieve the temporary wants of govern
! nent
Mr. Jones, of Pennsylvania, opposed to direct tax
alton lie regarded The present tariff highly protect
/ i've.
Mr. Stewart of Maryland thought that the tariff could
and ought to be modified at the present session.
Mr. Seward Of Georgia. did not believe the government
could be administered for any less than it is, He
| in favor Of reinstating the tariff of 1856
After general discussion, vote taken the
resolutions offered by Mr. Phelps and they adopted
| The then adjourned