National Republican., 1883-01-26
SENATE CAUCUsEs.
THE REPUBLIoANs.


The republican members of the senate held
n brief informal conference previous to the
convening of the senate yesterday for the pur-
pose of consulting in regard to the best means
to facilitate and expedite action upon the
pending tariff bill. The rumor is pretty we'll
authenticated that the brief discussion was in
some respects q decidedly animated one, and
that enough was disclosed of the temper
of the republican members TO indicate
that it may be nextto impossible TO hold them
TO caucus action. It Is said that Mr.. Conger
directly intimated that he would not vote for
the bill upon its final passage if lumber is re-
tanned upon the free list, and that Mr.. Allison,
in reply, took occasion to point out the duty
of individual senators in terms which drew
from Senator Logan vigorous defense of the
rights of individual senators to sustain their
convictions untrammeled by party or caucus
dictation.
This informal conference was supplemented
by caucus in the afternoon, Immediately
after the adjournment of the senate. Thirty
senators were present, and the result of tho
conference is said to have been highly salts
factory. Brief speeches were made by Sena-
tors Morrill,, Edmunds, Sherman, Aldrich, AL
lison, Harrison, and others, and no dissent
was expressed from the general proposition
that consideration of the tariff bill should be
pursued in the manner best calculated to facil-
itate its passage at this session. There was
some discussion of the proposition to hold
night sessions, taking q recess each day from 5
until 1880, but the general opinion prevailed
that more progress could be made by sitting
in continuous session till q later hour than
has heretofore been the custom. This view
was formulated in resolution offered by Mr..
Sherman to the effect that adjournment
should not bo moved from the republican side
upon any day until substantial progress had
been made upon the bill, to be determined by
the chairman of the finance committee, or the
gentleman from that committee who might
be in charge of the bill. The propriety of limit
ing the debate was next discussed, and Mr.. Nor
rill was authorized to offer in the senate to-
day a resolution providing for tho enforce
ment of five.minute rule, with the under
standing that its adoption be not insisted
upon If disposition TO resist it should be
shown by the democrats, or its consideration
| should bid fair to consume any considerable
time. There was general understanding
and assent to the proposition, although no
formal vote was taken, that the republicans
abstain from further speech-making, and re-
duce the discussion to minimum so far as
they are concerned; that If delay ensueS
| from persistent discussion of amendments,
the responsibility shall be put upon the other
side. No allusion was made to the ripple which
disturbed the harmony of the morning con-
ference and the resolution placing the con-
duct of the-bill unreservedly in the hands of
the finance committee was adopted with but
two dissenting votes-Senators Hoar and Nc
Dill. These gentlemen while in accord with
the caucus on the general proposition to ex-
pedite the passage of the bill, dissented from
the method proposed as placing too great
limitations upon individual action. Repub-
lican senators yesterday spoke Of the results
of the caucus as highly satisfactory, and as
sert that the harmony of expression and
unanimity of purpose which were manifested
give new reason to expect that tho tariff bill
will be passed at this session.
THE DEMOCRATS.
After the adjournment OF tho senate yes
terday an informal conference of democratic
senators was held in one of the committee
rooms Senator Pendleton presided, and
about twenty senators were present. The
discussion was confined to the general policy
to be pursued in regard to the pending tariff
bill.
No attempt was made to reach an agree
ment as to what action should be taken touch
ing any particular feature of the bill or as to
any amendments to be offered. The general
sentiment as expressed favored curtailment
as far as possible of speech-making and an
avoidance on the part of tho democrats of the
appearance of filibustering or purposely delay
| ING tha massage of the bill