Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-26

The democratic caucus the one topic OF CONVEX
sat!cn among politicians The result of the meet
fns is generally taken as Compromise In the inter
est OF party harmony. By a vote of two 10 one the
1orrlson OIL was endorsed, but there was coupled
Win II an amendment abcliShing the tobacco
taxes and cutting down the tax on fruit brandy 10
nominal rate. Hence, under this arrangement,
The internal revenue system is 10 bear its share
bhe REDUCTION OF taxes as well the tariG-a claim
gtrenuously pressed by those who wish the import
duties maintained at protection rates
The most interesting feature OF the caucus was
tne Stand IL took on the degree OF authority claimed
over The votes OF member. Ii vas generally under
stooi That majority favored the Morrison bill,
ouI the question was how far this opinion should
oihd the minority On this point the Randall men
won thelr battle TO the extent that every member
Is made the judge OF hts own orthodoxy. By the
terms OF the resolution. especially Interpreted by
tne discussion 1t excite. democrat does not read
himself ont Of the party" by opposing the bill The
main proposition IS that the caucus decision "shall
not De considered binding Ia controlling the indi-
F.duaI action OF democrats" and the pr0yisO at
tacned, which, like all provlsO,. IS construed as
Friendly 10 the main proposition IS. except 70 the
extent that each member may fee. that he ought to
De Influenced by the expressed " Of the majority
OF his associates" This suggestion nav mean
muth or nothing according 10 the feelings Of IEem-
cars- On most party questions members are found
dissenting, although, no doubt, they are .'iH-
nuenced by their colleagues and oppose hem with
regret Thus, ON both the Naval and Post once
Oils democrats swung away from party allegiance
and voted with the republicans On what is called
caucus question: however, members are gem
orally held 70 br bound to vote as a unit Thus
had the Randall men voted for him as Speaker
after the caucus had nominated Carlisle throwing
thereby the organization OF the house into the
power OF the republicans, the action would have
been regarded Is a bolt and a dissolution Of the
party. That the same element may now oppose
The tai1f measure. which CarIIse's e.ectiOn meant
and thus enable the republicans TO dictate the
tam legislation OF the House, without thereby
violating party fealty, proves that the Morrison
Dill Is not made, in the ordinary sense caucus
measure. 1t proves, IL other words that the action
OF the Caucus is advisory rather than mandatory:
snd that therefore, the Randall minority has good
reason 70 be satisfied with the result
The tariff Will now be- so far as democratic noprn
bers are concerned. a focal issue" Where they
have protectiOnist constituencies they VIII opp0ep
the o where the people believe In free trade they
VIII favor II; where Indifference prevails the ,nen
Der viii BE- open 10 conviction. 1t Is not TO be ex
peeted that MI. Randall can keep all the 81 votes
tina were found opposing a cast-,ron caucus ruIa
but he only needs about half that number to turn
The majority against tariff reduction bill and tho
Chances are that he VIII fnd at least as large n
"Ter2nant that To follow lin Ia opposition IN
the bill