The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-25
Probability that There Will Be No Very
Serious Split, Both Sides Being Will
ing to Make Concessions,
Facts and Figures About the Gold
Coinage Of the Great Republic.
Statistics Concerning Last Years Yield of
COrn-Why Gen. SlOcum Voted Against
Gen. PleasantOn's Restoration.
THE DEMOCRATIC wRANGLE.

Strenuous Efforts to Patch Up Differences
Before To-Night's Caucus.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-Though there will
doubtless be a lively discussion in the tariff
Gus, everything to-day points to harmony in the
final action. The various plans upon which the
two sides may come together amieably have
been discussed to-day Nothing definite has,
however, been agreed upon, except the general
principle that it will not do to have anything
like a row. The tariff reformers continue to do
most of the holding out of the olive branch
They will not, however, yield that the policy of
the Democratic party is to secure reform of the
tariff Nothing less than the adoption of that
as principle of the party will be the outcome.
Exactly how far the Democrats shall GO at this
session towards reform will be left for the
Gus to determine, but there will be declaration
of the principle of reform Some protectionist
Democrats still hold out that no such action
ought to be had, but they are a few, and will
very likely be cipher when the caucus is held
A good deal of work has been done to-day and
tonight looking to harmony. Chairman Bar
mum, of the national committee, has been going
between the opposing Democrats. He said to
your correspondent tonight that the caucus
would develop that all things are fairly ad-
justed There have been good many hints
about muzzling Watterson, if he will not stop
without muzzle. The spirit of concession
will be abroad in the caucus.
Mr. Randall said tonight that he thought all
the differences would be amiciably adjusted.
1t was evident that both sides wanted to agree
He said that those who think as he does have
entirely got over their irritation about being
read out of the party or they have become con
WINGED that such was not the feeling of a mate
rial number of Democrats of opposing views.
The excitement the question has subsidized
very materially, the danger of split having
been bridged over.
Frank Hurd, an out-and-out free trader, when
asked to-day if he thought there was any chance
OF an agreement in the caucus upon the resolu-
ton modifying the Morrison bill and abolishing
the internal revenue tax, said that the first part
of the resolution might meet the approval
of the caucus, but the abolition of the in
ternal revenue was too sweeping to pass.
II am not welded to the 20 per cent. reduc-
tion,' he said. what I want is as much of
reduction as l can get. If can't get 20 per cent,
l will do the best can. Ten per cent would do
better than nothing"
Mr. Nichols, of Georgia, said he did not appre-
bend any such division in the party. There are
extreme men,, he said, "who would, perhaps, if
permitted make trouble, but they will not be
permitted to do that. Calm counsel will prevail
serious split in the party now would cost us
the presidency, and there is too much good sense
and conservatism among the members to throw
away such opportunity as we have to elect
the President No, I do not fear serious di-
vision"
Among the plans discussed for basis of agree
ment is one agreed upon by q number of sena-
tors and members i'll conjunction. 1t is to cor
rect the incongruities in the Morrison bill by linn
iting the 20 per cent reduction to such articles
as pay from so to 100 per cent, and making
a reduction of but 10 per cent upon articles that
now pay duty of from 20 to 80 per cent In
addition to this the plan proposes the abolition
of all internal revenue taxes except that on
whisky, which is to be allowed to remain as it is
Speaker Carlisle and the free-trade members
of the ways and means committee are in secret
session tonight, discussing the programme to be
adopted at the caucus tomorrow. Another
meeting of the opposition is being held in Mr.
Randas rooms