New-York tribune., 1878-04-18
MR.. WOOD GETS UP A CAUCUS.
A LIVELY TIME WITHIN IFS SHELTER OVER The
TARIFF AND THE ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS
A SMALL ATTENDANCE.

A LIVELY TIME WITHIN us SHELTER OVER TIE
TARIFF AND THE ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS
A SMALL ATTENDANCE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The Democratic manag-
ers of the House, after their defeat TO day, called
caucus in order to agree upon course to be pur
sued with the adjournment resolution. The meet
ing was not largely attended, many of the Demo
Gratis who believe in protection and who voted with
the Republicans to-day, being absent. The caucus
did net djoum until after IL o'clock.
Mr. Fernando Wood offered a resolution that the
further consideration of this question should be
postponed until the 10th of May, and made speech
in support of it.
lie was followed by Speaker Randall and others,
all of whom took the ground that the postponement
would not interfere with the plans of the
friends of the Tariff Bill, whereas, if the Senate
resolution should be concurred in, the Republican
minority could control the business OF the House
and could prevent any legislation except such it
should approve. 1t would in fact be possible for the
Republicans to dictate to the Democrats what bills
should pass and by iIbustering to defeat all
others. At the same time they said final adjourn
ment on the 10th of June might be possible even
if this resolution should not now be cOncuned in
without handing over TO the Republicans the con-
troll of the House.
The Democrats from Ncw-England who were
present and several Others including Representa-
tves from New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, said that
they should use every means in their power to de-
feat the Tariff Bill, but they did not care to en-
barrass their party. They not willing that the
resolution should go TO the Committee on Ways and
Means, but would consent that 1t should lie upon
the table.
Mr.. Wright of Pennsylvania, said he would not
agree to this even. He would not consent to post
ponement Of the consideration of the subject for
more than two weeks.
Mr. Bridges of Pennsylvania. also declined to be
bound by the action of the caucus but said he would
had an opportunity.
Mr.. Wright said that he had been Democrat for
fifty years. but was opposed to this tariff legislation
and would use every means in his power to defeat
it. At the same time he did not intend to be dis
organizer; he thought the House ought to adjourn
by the 10th of June.
Nj Hardenbergh, Of New-JcTsey. SAID that he was
strongly opposed to the Tariff Bill, but for the
House to concur in the resolution of the Senate
would give the Republicans control OF legislation.
Mr. Mills, o. Texas, defended the Tariff Bill. He
said that this country is suffering from unequal tax
alton and that we want fair revenue tax. He
was willing 10 stay in Washington until the Day of
Judgment in order to obtain one.
Mr. House, of Tennessee, said that he did not ask
Democract to Weld his convictions on the tariff or
any other measure bat thought it strange that they
shonld sustain q measure that was evidently gotten
UP hy Republican caucus in the Senate.
Mr. Bridges, ofPenusylyania, said that as he went
10 the Capitol this mOnng,h thought that the 1stof
Jule would be a good time to adjourn, and he was
veyy agreeably surprised when the resolution came
from the Senate. He intended to vote to adjourn.
Mr.. Parsons, of Arkansas referring to the declara
tion of Mr. Bridges that lie would not abide by the
decision of the caucus said he thought if those
the sentiments OF Mr. Bridges the sooner he left the
caucus the better.
The latter retorted that he had seen the time when
the Southern Democrats needed his vote. Whenever
they did need his vote for any rightful object he
would give it, bun he did not think it was a proper
thing for young man like Parsons TO talk TO q
Democrat as old as he was in that strain.
Mr.. Parsons disavowed any intention of showing
disrespect to Mr.. Bridges.
AT this point the grew tired Of listening to
speeches. aud there were loud calls for VOTE when