Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-03-28
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
Held on the Morrison Tariff Bill
Last Evening.
Vote in Favor of Passage of
Tariff Reduction 16 to 81.
Winds Up all Hope of Tariff
Reform This Year.
The Full Proceedings,
Wa aShington.
THE CAUCUS.

OcfaIc caucus tonight was largely at
tended, 1t was called to order shortly
after o'clock.
Throughout most of the session the
attendance was very large, there be
i"g only ten members absent, and
they on account of sickness o. alb
sence from the city.
Carlisle moved that the rules of the
present congress be adopted as the
rules of the caucus. except that debate
be carried on under the f.e minute
limitation for speeches. This was
agreed to, and it was also decided, be
fore the blsineSs of the evening shodlG
be entered upon, that a futare caucus
sho I'D be called upon the written re
quest of twenty members.
Mr.. Morrison offered resnlu
ton endorsing the bill report
ed by the ways and means committee
In explaining the resolution he said
full opportunity would be given to
offer amendments to the bill when il
came before the house.
A long discussion followed the If.
fering OF the resolution, which was
participated in by Morrison, Eaton,
Converse, Blackburn, Randall, Hop.
kins, King, Morse, Cadell, Reagan,
Rosecrans, Tulley. O'Neil (Mo.)
Macadoo, Wilson CIV. Va). Warren,
Dorsheimer Hutchins, Hoblitzell,
Holman, Nichols. Sardema, Black,
Spriggs, Adams (N " and Bland.
Mr. Randall briefly couuselled
moderation and Cancellation and
suggested an unexcited conference
with view to agreeing upon some
bill for which all democratic mem
bers could vote. A bill that would
provide for moderate reduction of
Custom duties and at the same time
for partial reduction of the internal
revenue. AS to making the
tariff bill subject to the
caucus action, in the sense
of controlling the members vote.
he said it was contrary to democratic
principles, and contrary to the princi-
Piles of a representative government
to attempt to bind any one on a great
economic question, and thss seek to
compel a representative to vote
against the known opinions and in
leF6SI Ol Ills COuSLlJueuIS.
Mr.. Carlisle said he was desirous of
having the caucus come to some agree
ment, if possible, on the reduction of
the tariff. In order to do SO and
secure such reduction, he would agree
to repeal the tobacco tax and all
licenses connected with the same to-
bacco, and to reduction OF the tax
on brandy distilled from fruits to 10
ceAts per gallon. Reagan and Hol-
man urged harmony, and opposed all
efforts to bind members of the party
Both Morrison and Carlisle de
clared the action of the caucus
should be regarded as merely per-
suasive Several members announced
empaatically that they were opposed
to the Morrison bill. but the predolni-
mating sentiment was largely in favor
of considering bill and agreeing to
a measure that would receive the
sanction of the house.
Besides Mr.. Randall, Messrs. Tully
and Eaton opposed the measure.
Mr.. KING offered a resolution to
the effect that committee consisting
of seven members of the house and
six senators be appointed to consider
and report at a future caucus, on the
pending proposition. The resolution
was voted down.
Carlisle made a fifteen minutes
speech, the five minute rule which
prevailed in the speeches of the other
gentlemen being extended in his case.
He said the constitution allowed every
man to vote as he desired; that no
man could be bound to vote except as
his convictions dictated.
Black burn took the ground that the
action of the caucus should be bind
ing.
Hopkins offered resolution provid
ing that no one should be bound by
vote by the action of the caucus.
Mr. Morrison moved as a substitute
for Hopkins resolution a declaration
that after the amendment in the com
nnittee of the whole a bill" should be
pas sed The debate under five min
utes rule continued at great length.
Incidentally great humber OF pro
positions were suggested, among them
one to refer the whole subject to q
committee consisting of one demo
cratic member from each state About
IL o'clock Sen. Eaton moved to ad
journ. This motion was defeated by
a large majority.
Mr. Morrison's S resolution was adopt
ed, 1l6 20 81. 1t provides that The
ways and means bill to reduce the
war taxes should be CONSIDER by the
committee of the whole Subject t.
amendmenU reasonable time and
then bill should be reported TO the
house aud passed.
Mr.. Hopkins offered an amendment
that tue action of the caucus should
not be binding.
Mr.. Morrison offered proviso, ex-
cept SO far as individual members
should feel bound by the action of d
majority of the caucus. The amend
ment and proviso were adopted.
Nr. Carlisle then offered a resolu-
ton providing for repeal Of the tax
on tobacco, cigars and snuff aud a re
duction of the tax on fruit brandy TO
10 cents per gallon Carlisle res Jlu-
tion was carried, So to q.
The resolution offered by Morrison,
which was adopted by vote of LA 10
81. is as follows:
Resolved that the bin commonly known as tbs
N rrison tariff bill shall he Ia up for con id
Grafton at tie earliest practicable dag. and rea.
sonable time fer debate allowed thereon, and
after s4c1 debate that bill Be passe for the re-
duction Of duties and war tarI6 taxes.
This, before adoption, was amended
by Hopkins and Morrison by adding
the following:
Resolred Further that the adoption Of this
resolution shall not be considered binding In cUn-
trolling the individual action Of democrats. ex-
he ought 10 be influenced BY the expressed opiu-
ion Of the majority Of his associates
Mr.. Carlisle then offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted, IS
to 81:
Resolred That In order 70 reconcile conflicting
opinions and secure legis alton reducing TAXATION
the plan for reduction Of taxes Al the presrnt
sassion OF congress shall embrace q provision re-
pealing all internal revenue taxes on tos'ecco.
therewirh and also reducing the tax On brandy
distilled from fruit to 10 CENTS per gallon: prossd-
ed, 81 repeal and reduction shall not Be made
except IL connection with q reduction Of the tar
IL duty.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
Representative Sumner Cola }, ap-
peared before the house committee on
post Offices and post roads, today, In
advocacy of his bill to establish q gov