The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-09
The Ways and Means Committee Will Not
Present Tariff Bill Until the Cau-
Gus Has Passed Upon 1t.
Contingent Funds Of Congress, and How
the Moneys Are Expended.
The Mcdonald Boomers Invade the Preserves
of Tilden-President Arthur Sends
In Two Special Messages.
THE TARIFF.
Mr.. Morrison VIII Yield to the Demands of
His Party Before Drafting His Bill.

Mr.. Morrison VIII Yield to the Demands of
His Party Before Drafting His Bill.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.-The committee on
ways and means to-day agreed upon the usual
resolution, distributing the recommendations of
the Presidents message to the various standing
committees but, beyond this, did nothing. Mr..
Morrison and those who will act with him on the
tariff revision have made no progress thus far,
nor have any steps been taken beyond holding
on the Democratic side.
1t is now apparent that great caution will be
observed in the formation of a tariff measure
Mr.. Morrison recognizes that his party
is now in a position where it must
declare for or against revenue reform, p"
and in advance of making any forward move
ment, he is anxious to ascertain definitely how
far his party will follow him in this direction
Personally, he would prefer to revise the revis-
ion of the last Congress, and materially reduce
the existing rates of duty; but whether he will
have prepared bill to carry out his theories,
Or content himself with measure providing for
horizontal reductions of say, 10 per cent. of the
present rates the first year and 20 per cent the
second, will depend upon the sentiment of those
upon whose voices and votes he must rely for
success.
Being now in a position of responsibility he
does not appear so enthusiastic for tariff re-
form as prior to the organization of Congress.
His own theories have undergone change,
but in view of the bearing which this question
must have on the presidential election. he isdis-
posed to give due consideration to what is known
as party expediency, even should this policy re-
quires some sacrifice Of individual opinion.
Therefore he is disposed to submit to party
caucus the decision of question which should
be determined in the committee on ways and
means 1t other words, Mr.. Morrison accord
ing to persons with whom he has lately
conversed, desires to know the character and
extent of his following before attempting to
place his column of attack IN motion If he can
not get all he wants he is prepared to take what
he can get and his own anxiety for personal sue
cess will induce him to present bill which will
command the support of the bulk of his party
associates.
''If, with majority of seventy, said Mr.. Nor
rison, 1--WE cannot command enough votes
to reform the excesses and irregularities
of the present tariff laws then it will
be demonstrated that the Democratic
party has no settled policy on this question We
can at least offer to reform the fragrant wrongs,
and if this should be frustrated by the conjunc
ton of Mr.. Randall and those Democrats who
may be induced to act with him, the Democratic
party will have performed its duty, and will be
in position to appeal to the Judgment of the
country in the coming national election
1t begins to look as if Lucy Hoopers descrip-
ton of the French people would apply to the
Democratic party ON this question. ''They don't
know what they want, and will not be satisfied
until they get it."