New-York tribune., 1884-03-24
DEMOCRATIC DISSENSION.
WILL THE CAUCUS RESULT ma TRUCEs
FREE TRADERS SAY THEY HAVE YIELDED ALL
THEY CANA NEW DANGER TO THE MORRISON
-BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIRUSE.I

the feeling between the opposing Dem0cratlc fac-
ti0ns in the House. and uncOmpromising as seems 10
be the determination of the leaders either side
not to yield point to the other, there is still
strong probability that some sort of truce on tho
tariff issue will be patched up in the caucus, 10
tide the party until the end of the session and
the meeting of the National Convention. The FREQ
trade leaders are Jealous and unremittng in their
efforts TO show that the Morrison bill is not radi-
cal or dangerous measure after all; that IL Will
bring little or relief to consumers and yet thatIt
will delude them into the belief that the Demo
cratic party is sincere in its promises of tanf
form that the industrial and manufacturing i'll
terests of the country ought to be glad to escape
without greater injury from the bosom Of reform.
But while there is a general agreement among tho
free traders TO the propositions mentioned, they
not so heartily in accord in regard to some
other matters. Men like Carlisle. Morrison, Wat
terson Hurd and Mills, who have the courage OF
their convictions, and who believe that the only
hope for the future of the Democratic party lies in
the frank outspoken assertion and support of tariff
reform, are inclined to insist that the Morrison bill
in its present form is the best that can be asked
They believe that the acme of political smart
ness was reached In basing the bill on an obsolete
and crude tariff enacted by the Republicans twenty
three years ago, under circumstances wholly differ
ent from those which now exist-diferent not only
as to the condition of the Treasury, but also as TO
the conditions and relations of industry and bus
mess the establishment and development Of new
industries and the dependence upon their pros
perty of the vast transportation interests Of the
country. Ignoring entirely the vicious principle Of
horizontal reduction, aggravated as il would be
by the fact that the mutifariOus forms of industry
established in this country since 1861 would not
enjoy even the slight benefit of the Morrill, proyisO,
these reformers proudly assert that the Morrison
bill proposes reduction less than
that recommended by the Tariff Com
mission. They insist, therefore, that it
must undergo no further modification. More tumd
free trade Democrats, influenced mainly by local
considerations, favor the dropping of the proposed
free list altogether, and, If necessary some con-
cessions to the woo-gowing interests They are
men who have been trying for a week to offer ac-
ceptable bids for the votes of Democrats from CALI
fornia, West Virginia and other States.
NO FURTHER CONCESSION BY FREE TRADERS.
One thing appears certain: If Colonel Morrison
consents to any further emasculation of the BILL he
will be in danger of losing the support of some OF
its most active friends One of them last night
said at must be the Morrison bill it now
stands OF nothing If we go into Committee of the
Whole and permit it to be amended at all, that
will be the end of it. The caucus must firmly re-
solve to stand by the bill it Is. 1t is the very
thing less we would deserve defeat and the con-
tempt of tho country" OF the same tenor is an
editorial in The BGskington Post of to-day. The
writer probably speaks &c cdthedra when he says:
There are few Democrats who were not willing u
grant some concessions while inauguraung 20 Important
n change in the revenue policy or the OOVefnneht
These, However have all been made the Morrison oilI
being full OF them that It now stands as an indication
than measure likely in itself TO brlng aDOit great
public henefts Even supposns that any further sur sur
reuIa Of
satisfy Democratic proeconsts which Is doubtful moro
concessions are simply impossible, the bill If further
emasculsted win lose all that pertains to IT, either OF
sound principle or timely policy.
In a dispatch published yesterday Mr.. Watterson
said: Mr. Morrison invites amendment" This
would seem to imply that he desires to throw upon
the COMMITTEE of the Whole the responsibility OK
any further notifications of the BILL and that he ex-
poets Democrats who are opposed TO 1t to vote
against it.
POSSIBILITIES OF THE CAUCUS.
In that case the only advantage he can expect to
realize from the caucus Is pledge from Democrats
who are opposed to the measure that they will not
vote against going into Committee of the Whole.
and that in Committee of the Whole they will NOS
vote against the consideration OF the bill, Whether
such apledge can be exacted is not quite certain
If not the caucus will be than failure, for
no Democrat is hopeful enough TO expect tuat It's
deliberations will not be inharmonous TO the last
degree. IT, however the opponents of the bill
agree to favor its consideration, they might as well
surrender altogether. the chances seem to be
about even that they will yield, although with re-
Iuctance unless Nlr. Randall shall succeed in throw
ing the free trade ranks into confusion by offering
a proposition to repeal the tobacco tax and the tax
on spirits distilled from apples, peaches and other
fruits. Such a proposition would be most tempt
West virginia, Maryland. Tennessee, Alabama.
Georgia and Missouri, and il is by no means certain
it would not receive the support, OF majority VI
the caucus. It's adoption would be likely to prove
fatal to the prospects of the Morrison bill. That
Mr. Randall and his friends have such project
under consideration there is good good reason reason to Sf,
scheme was made when Democratic Senators and
Representatives from Virginia. North Carolina,
Tennessee and Georgia appeared before the WAYS
and Means Committee several weeks ago, and de-
hvered elaborate speeches i'll favor Of IT,
PRACTICAL RANDALL BAIT.
II is TO take practical shape in tho
form of amendments to the Bonded Whlskey
bill now under consideration. Mr. Hopkins, of
Pennsylvania, has prepared two amendments
to that measure. One Of them provides that
the act shall apply only to spirits III bond at the
date of it's approval and that thereafter all taxes
on distilled spirits, brewed and malt liquors,
tobacco, etc. shall be abolished together with tho
internal revenue system and all Offices under IT.
The other amendment abolshes the Internal
revenue system and discharges all its officers and
pTovldesthat the secretary OF the treasury snsn
make such rules and regulations as may De heces,
sary for the sale of the license aud stamps required
to be obtained and used under existing laws.
Southern Democrats will otier amendments I'd
abolish the tax on tobacco and ON the manufacture
of spirits from fruits and to modify the internal
revenue system TO get rid of most OF the inter-
nal reyene officials. These amendments not only
receive strong Southern support, but that OF the
Democrats who are opposed to the Morrison bill
UNEAsINEss IN THE MORRISON CAMP.
Chairman Morrison aud his colleagues are uneasy on
this account. and there is strong disposition to
protract the general debate on the Whskey bill
until after the caucus has been held, III order 10
escape the impending danger of Democratic
split on that measure. Mr. Randall and his friends
have issued no loud proclamatIous of their plans
h.,At L,..