New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-16
DISCUSSING PARTY MEASURES.

,n,nor,ant political event of the session the
Republican caucus Of members Of the House of
Representatives tonight 1t was time that
the caucus was held, as Mr. Robe
son explained this evening when he took
the chair 10 preside A divided party cannot ex-
pect to accomplish any results. Public measures OF
importance were pressing upon the attention of the
country and OF the party anu a','',
oonld no longer be evaded. He asked
the pleasure of the caucus. Mr.. White. OF
Kentnc,<v. opened the discussion by extolling the
hill introduced In the Senate by Senator Logan to
provide that the proceeds arising from the tax on
wbiskey and tobacco should be used for the eduea-
ton of the people. Mr.. White thought that this
was an excellent measure and should receive
caucus approval. Mr.. Cannon suggested that TINS
measure was not before the House, and 1t was hardy
worth while talk about it in the caucus to-sht'
Mr.. Hiscock suggested that the Caucus Committee
probably had some purpose in calling the Repuon-
cans together, ard that 1t would be well for some
member of that committee to indicate what the pur-
nose was Mr. BelGord, of Colorado, took the floor
and advocated the report of the Committee on
Rules advising changes in the rules. MIR. Shallen-
berger. of Pennsylvania, then offered resolu-
ton that it is the sense OF this
caucus that there should be no reduc-
ton of the tax on whiskey and tobacco during
this session. and he advocated this resolution IN
short speech. Mr.. Horr of Michigan, impressed
upon the caucus the necessity OF taxing some
measures to advance the public business. MI
Harris. of Massachusetts,, contended that IL was
better for the Republicans not to try 10 amend the
rnles for the present and thought that the discus
sion of the proposed reduction of the tax on whlskey
and tobacco was premature,
Mr.. Dunnel then made speech in favor OF Shai-
lepbergers resolution declaring that 1t is matter
of very great importance that the caucus should
determine whether not it would sustain the ways
and Means Committee in its proposition 10
take off taxes which yield revenue OF
S67. 600 900, and he thought that the members OF
that committee should have the judgment OF the
caucus as to whether it should be pressed as party
measure This speech brought Judge Kelley to ais
feet He said that "Our receipts from internal
revenues were $500 900, 900. and that our surplus
revenue amounted to $1OO,000000, and for
the next year would be $l2O.O0O,O0o
There must be either reduction of the tax or some
means devised to spend the money the debt being
nrovided for rs IL is If the Republican party said
Il should 90 on and make large appropriations 10
create new Navy. for internal improvements, or
for other purposes the cry of extravaganza and )op
berry would be raised and shall suffer at
.be next election" He favored taking the tax Oft
tobacco and whiskey.
Mr. HiseOck again suggested that IL would Dc Weh
for the caucus TO determine whether the RepuD-
lcans shonld proceed at once with the proposed
amendment to the rules, and offered resolution TO
test the sense of the caucus in regard to It, This
resoution was regarded as pending and
was not pressed to q vote Mr.. Townsend, Of Ohio.
nroposed a reduction Of the tax on tobacco and
wbiskey Mr. Cannon, Of Illinois, then made splr-
tied speech in favor of the proposition that it is OF
the highest importance for the Republicans to come
together on policy, and favored the resolution
proposed by Mr. Shallenberger. He declared that
there was no demand by the people for the removal
of the tax on whiskey and tobacco, While II was
continued on articles of greater necessity. lie
thought that if the Republican party should ap-
prove the proposed reduction, 1t would be the
deathblow to the Republican prospects In the
Western States Mr. Davis. of Illinois, moved to
Law aside the tariff resolution and agree to proceed
with the consideration of other important
measures He deplored the lack of leadership In
the Republican party. and thought that this was
not good time to discuss the resolution.
Mr. Reed then called attention to his report on
rules He said that he had expected to bring it up
next Thursday, but had yielded to the appeals of
the friends of the Tariff Commission bill and de-
oided not TO do so. He made strong speech against
removing the tax from tobacco and whiskey
He said that no committee of the House
could afford 10 run counter to the average
This thing ought TO be settled now. Again and
again he insisted that the Committee on Ways and
Means had better heed the wishes and average
judgment of the Republican party.
Mr. Kasson made speech in which he declared that
Western sentiment is in favor ofretaning the tax on
whiskey and tobacco, and that 10 repeal 1t would
be blow from which the Republican party would
not recover. The thorough agitation of the ques-
ton now was disturbing business ard causing gene
raj depression in the West. Mr.. Blyne offered
@ resolution that it is not wise to reduce the
internal taxes except matches, bank circulation
and deposits and proprietary medicines. Ho thought
this Congress could not afford TO adjourn without
taking off these taxes He favored tariff revision
and thought that some articles should be placed
the free list and the duty others be reduced Mr..
Lord of Michigan declared that there
demand IN that State for the repeal of the
tax on tobacco and whiskey Mr. Bayne
then withdrew his resolution and a vote was about
TO be taken on the Shallenberger resolution, when
Judge Kelley took the floor. He said that he hoped
no formal vote would be taken. He acqniesced
heartily in whas appeared to be the prevailing sense
OF the caucus and he was willing to abide by
it. In Difference to his desires that no
vote should be taken which would be
considered In the nature of instructions to the Com
mittee on Ways and Means, the caucus
satisfied with the unanimous declaration through
its chairman that the resolution would be con-
sidered as the sense of the caucus without formal
vote Mr.. Kelley's speech elected warm applause
and he received hearty congratulations when he sat
down.
Mr.. Shallenberger then withdrew his resolution
and Mr. Reed asked if anybody objected to the pro-
posed amendments to the rules. Mr.. Marsh, of
Illinois, asked him TO explain the in their
favor and the disadvantages which they were ex-
pected to overcome. This Mr.. Reed did in a capital
epeech. Mr. Hiscock then asked him when