National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-28
CAUCUS TALK.
The Newspaper Editors Are Having a
Word TO Say OH the Subject.

Word TO Say on the subject. .
The feeling of relief which comes over the
leaders of the party Is that of thankfulness
that there was not an open break and split.
The situation is exactly the same as before.
The rampant free traders are bound To push
the measure; the protectionists are deter
mined not to assist in pushing it.-Hdrttord
Post.
The democrats in congress have had their
caucus on the tariff problem, but are not
much better OFT than they were before. They
have agreed upon q compromise, it is true
but the compromise will be of no avail if the
minority of the caucus remain consistent
with their declared opposition to any tinker
ing with the tariff now.-PiAsbWg Chronicle
Telegraph.
Fifty-seven is powerful minority in a
majority where detection of thirty votes
means defeat That such q detection stares
the democratic majority in the face is even
more certain now than before the so-called
caucus, and any attempt to make the Morri-
son bill a party measure will only add to the
opposition when the bill comes before the
house,-IFWh
1t is one of the most beautiful compro-
misses that has been made in long time,
Ii the Chicago convention in July is wise it
will repeat so far as the ticket is concerned,
1.-THE stradde" that has just been accom-
plished. There is still hope for the democ-
racy. To borrow Wall street phrase, they
are "lonq" and short" on the tariff ut the
Same time.-NeO York Morning Journal.
Fiity-six democratic congressman ranged
themselves with Mr. Randall, and were not
afraid to stand up and BIO counted in oppose
ton to the Kentucky programme, although
its authors had confidently predicted in adj
vance that he would not be ablO to muster
more than thirty at the outside This would
seem TO furnish them food for thought if they
have any craving and use for that kind of
alimentation. --HarUord CoHdat. " 1900
The conclusion Of the democratic caucus
that no member shall be bound by the action
of the caucus who does not consider the action
of a caucus binding upon individuals, reminds
one of the famous Ohio democratic platform
of u tariff for revenue only, 80 adjusted Us to
afford incidental protection wherever 1t is
needed. The democrats certainly have q very
happy faculty for clear statement York
Null aud EEpresS.
BY the action of tho democratic congress
sional caucus last night tho Morrison tariff
bill becomes party measure. II may be
amended TO some extent, but IL will pass the
house, No democrat who has honest con-
victiOns against 10 will be expected TO vote for
it, but 1t will pass by handsome majority.
In other words the party is committed to
other reform, which Is tho only thing that
can save II from destruction and give il life
and courage enough to make a good fight
in tho impending c0mpaign aud put il in
good condition for the campaign OF 1885,
NeoC York Graphic. ..''.'
Tho democratic caucus may DO called
drawn battle. IL resolved TO pass bill ro-
ducng war tariffs. But against this resolve
were hfty-sevcn votes, enough to defeat the
bill IN tho house. These votes aro not bound
by the caucus. Therefore, they can do us
they please, the caucus recommending that
they regard the moral Influence of their Assoc
ciates. This, Of course, means nothing. A
tariff bill means anything that may happen,
but does not necessarily mean the Morrison
hill. Indeed, as that particular bill was not
brought torthc test of n vote ID may mean
| everything but it.-Phitddc,phn Cal.
In any event tho democratic policy is
settled in regard to tariff legislation by an
overwhelming DrepOnderanuo on, tue silo of
FREQ trade and hostility TO the industrial
interests Of tho country, Any expression on
the subject by the democratic national con-
vention is forestalled by the decision of last
nights caucus. Successful lodging or strad-
ding will be impossible, 1t will hardly do
for the convention to pass vote of consuro
upon large majority of tho democrats in
congress, including Speaker Carlisle himself.
Democracy must BIO held responsible for tho
expression Of its convictions by the party as
represented In congress.-4fOy Times,
The capcps has demonstrated what was
already quito generally known, that tho dem
ocratic leaders are hopelossly and irroconcila-
| bly, divided on q question which they dolib-
erately chose to force upon tho country rs the
one dominant issue of the coming presidential
campaign. They cannot now Withdraw tho
| issue The action Of thu caucus last evening
makes retreat impossible. rwo,thirds of tho
party leaders indorse the Morrison bill, and
! according 90 all democratic traditions, the
] "a al AZ pnrgigt la nnpnaiItn,
inevitably bs considered rs mGlcontCntR. For
better or for worse, tho party 10 welded to
the Morrison bill, whether il passes tho house
| or not,-BostOn lraveAer