The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-04-10
A Demand for a New Caucus.

WASHINGTON, April IA printed
circular, which is signed MANY Demo
crats," and which is understood to have
been prepared by Democratic Represen-
tatives who are dissatisfied with the
action Of the recent caucus on the Nor
rison bill, was sent by mail day to
every Democratic member of the House.
The circular, which calls itself can ad-
dress to the Democratic members of the
House of Representatives" begins by re-
citing the proceedings of the caucus, and
is in substance an argument in favor OF a
reconsideration of the cancus action. 1t
threatens that the minority who voted
against the caucus resolutions will defeat
the passage of any tariff bill at this scs-
sion, unless it be such bill as will COM
mend itsef to their approval and the ap'
proval of their constituents. 1tsummar-
ICES the present duty of the Democratic
party as follows: "The first great duty of
the Democratic party is to arm itself for
the coming battle that it may by the
peoples approval retain its present con-
troll of this House and acquire that
authority in the Senate and possession
of the Executive chair, without which
the party will continue powerless and
subsurvient in the Government. The
second great duty of the Democratic par.
ty will be to use the power thus acquired
in reforming the Government, reforming
taxation methods, reforming tue admin
istration, reforming all irregularities snd
suppressing all abuses. 4 Il We
are all eager to arrive at the same desti-
nation, power and reform. In this House
we are now at the crossroads. Shall we
divide and fail, OF unite and succeed ?
We are unit in final purposes. Shall we
lose all by contention over the meaus? ?
There can be but one answer to these
inquiries. 1t is our duty to seek a level
upon which all can stand, to cast aside
sel6shuess and prejudice, and with a
brotherly spirit with full consciousness
of our great responsibility seek consistent
and honorable extrication from our diff
Guilty"
The address then reviews at consider
able length the question at issue between
the two factions of the party and con-
cludes as follows: "The demand of the
present moment is that the Democracy
declare its policy. Not by division into
fractions and futile efforts to pass "a bill.
but by o decisive unequivocal, unani-
nous expression. We call for another
caucus, aud offer the following suggestion
for resolutions to be adopted thereat:
"Resolred, That it is the sense of the
Democratic party of the House of Repre-
sentativcs that at the earliest practicable
moment the rational revenues should be
reduced to the necessities of the Govern
ment, economically administered that
it is unjust and undemocratic to levy
unnecessary taxes, resulting in large
and dangerous surplus in the treasury
that the present customs duties as levied
by the Republican party be rearranged
and the aggregate revenue reduced, SC
that the burden of taxation may be
brought to the lowest possible limit, and
be more equitably distributed, and that
internal taxes be reduced as soon as
practicable, in such manner as the Dem
ocratic party in Congress may hereafter
agree upon:
"Rcsoiyed, That the bill reported favor.
ably to the House by the chairman of the
ways and means committee shall be re-
committed to that committee with in
struclions to report back before the tenth
day of January next bill reducing rev.
euues by the abridgment of both customs
and internal taxes to the actual neccssl-
ties of the Government.
"ResoLred, That these resolutions eX'
press the sentiment of the Democratic
party of this House, which hereby pledges
itself to reduction of the taxes which
now burden The people, and to al equi'
table readjustment thereof, SO as to en-
courage protective industries ut home
and afford just compensation TO labor,
but not 10 create or foster monopolies.' u