Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-03
HERO WORSHIP.
A PLEA FOR UNITY.
"Many Democrats Call for Another
Caucus on the Tariff Questions

"Many Democrats" Call for Another
Caucus on the Tariff Question:
WASHINGTON, April "A printed
circular, which is signed "Many Demo-
Gratis" and which is understood to have
been prepared by the Democratic Repre-
sentatives who are dissatisfied with the
action of the recent caucus on the Morri-
son bill, was sent by mail to-day to
every Democratic member of the House.
The circular, which calls itself ''An Ad-
dress to the Democratic Members of the
House of Representatives" begins by re-
citing the proceedings of the caucus,
and is in substance an argu-
ment in favor of a reconsideration
of the caucus action. 1t threatens that
the minority who voted against the eau
Gus resolution will defeat the passage of
any tariff bill at this session unless it be
such a bill as will commend itself to
their approval and the approval of their
constituents. 1t summarizes the presest
duty of the Democratic party as follows:
"The first great duty of the Democratic
party is to so arm itself for the coming
battle that it may by the peo-
ple's approval retain its present
control Of this House and acquire that
authority in the Senate and possession
VI tnC 41ANCubtNG ClldlIs WliuOUL WHICH
the party will continue pOwerless and
subseryientint the government. The second
great duty of the Democratic party will
be to use its power thus acquired in re-
forming the government, reforming taxa
tion methods, reforming the adminstra-
ton, reforming all irregularities. and sup
pressing all abuses. We are all eager to
arrive at the same destination, power and
reform.
UNITY NECESSARY.
''In this House we are now at cross
roads. Shall we divide and fail, or unite
ana succeed? We are unit in final pur-
poses. Shall we lose all by contention
over the means? There can be but one
answer to these inquiries. 1t is our
duty to seek level upon which all can
stand, to cast aside selfishness and per-
versity, and in brOtherly spirit and with
full consciousness of our great RESPONSE
bility, seek a consistent and honorable
eXtrication from our difficulty
The address then reviews at consider
able length the questions at issue be-
tween the two factions of the party, and
concludes as follows: Demand at the
present moment that the Democracy de-
clare its policy, not by division into fac
tiOns and a futile effort to pass 'a' bill,
but by decisive, unequivocal, unanimous
expression.
ANOTHER CAUCUS CALLED FOR.
'We call for another caucus and offer
the following suggestion for a resolution
to be adopted thereat:
''Resolced, That it is the sense of the Demo-
cratic party of the House of Representatives
that at the earliest practicable moment the
national revenues should be reduced to the
necessities of the government economically
administered; that it is unjust and undemO-
cratic to levy unnecessary taxes resulting in
a large and dangerous surplus in the Treasu-
ry. that the present customs duties as levied
by the Republican party be arranged and the
aggregate revenue reduced. SO that the bur-
den Of taxation may be brought to the lowest
possible limit and be more equitaby distrib-
uted; and that internal taxes lie reduced as
soon as practicable in such a manner as the
Democratic party in Congress may hereafter
agree upon.
'Re8olred That bill reported favorably to
the House by the Chairman of the WAYS and
Means Committee shah be recommitted to
that committee with instructions to report
back before the 10th day of January next n
bill reducing the revenues by the abridgment
of both customs and internal taxes to the
actual necessities of the government
''Reso1oed, That these resolutions express the
sentiment of the Democratic party Of this
House, which hereby pledges itself to a reduc-
tion of the taxes which now burden the peo-
pie, and to an equitable readjustment thereof
so as to encourage protective industries at
home and afford just compensation to labor,
but not to create or fosteg mOnopolies."