The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-26
The Morrison Men Weaken a Little, and
Will Be Content with a Tariff Bill
of Most Any Description.
Mr.. Randall Comes Forth Well Pleased,
While Mr.. Hurd Is Very Mad.
Sudden Subsidence of the Warlike Defend
ers of the HOg-Interestin Facts About
Banks and Bank Examination.
THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
The Tariff Question Not Yet Settled-NIr.
Randall Well Pleased.

The Tariff Question Not Yet Settled-Mr.
| Randall Well Pleased.
! Special to the indianapolis Journal.
| WASHINGTON March 25.-It was nearly IL
o'clock tonight before the tariff caucus ad-
| iourned. 1t was not harmonious in its general
discussion but there were few bitter personali-
| ties. At the outstart both sides made the usual
demonstrations of not yielding. Mr.. Carlisle
made speech, which was strong argument for
tariff reform. He did not however, mince his
| words, but spoke plainly-the Randall men say
dictatorily. He said it was absolutely necessary
that the party should declare for tariff
reform. His the longest and most
emphatic of the many speeches made. Mr.. Cox,
of New York, was next to him, in fact surpassed
him, in vehemence. Cox was for forcing the
Morrison bill upon the caucus.
Mr.. Morrison made the first motion of the
evening" that the House bill be adopted. This
gave rise to long discussion. 1t was earnest
and solemn talk for the most part. At the first
New York New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio
Democrats would say nothing. Mr.. King of
Louisiana, and two others went among
them and asked them to take an active part
They then threw aside their stubborn
silences, and made speeches against
elA0 1AOIIlSOH Dll1. lHey SdU Ludb Ill
it were passed by the House those States would
go Republican Various attempts were, in the
meanwhile, making to draw Mr.. Randall out
but he would not talk; he said nothing, except
to one point of order
1t became evident that the Morrison bill could
not go through the caucus, and a motion to that
effect was voted down when the yeas and nays
were called.
Mr.. Hopkins of Pennsylvania then moved
| that when the tariff bill comes up in the House,
each member shall be allowed to vote as his con
victions and the interests of his local constitu-
encies dictate.
After much discussion this was adopted
Mr. King, of Louisiana, offered a resolution
referring to joint committee of six of the House
and five Senate Democrats the question of tariff
with instructions to report what legislation is
advisable at this session.
Mr. Nichols, of Georgia, moved to amend by
having the committee composed of one from each
State. Neither of these motions prevailed.
Mr. Morrison then arose and said he would not
insist that there should be a Morrison BILL but
that there must be tariff bill. This concilia-
tory movement was met by alvote of adoption,
Mr. Carlisle again rose and said that in the
interest of harmony, he would move that in any
reduction of tariff there should be proportion
ate reduction of tax on tobacco and fruit bran
dies. This was met with favor, ralying around
it especially the North Carolina, South Carolina
and Virginia members
Mr. Hurd moved that instead of the Carlisle
proposition, there should be a reduction of 10
per cent of the tax tobacco and fruit bran
dies. This which was adopted, was the last
thing before the caucus.
The Hopkins amendment was modified so as
to provide that the action of the caucus should
not be binding upon individuals except to such
extent as each member might feel Influenced by
the wishes of the majority of his associates, and
adopted. Mr.. Morrison then called the previsus
question on the Hopkins amendment, as modi-
fed which was carried-114 to So Mr.. Morri-
sons resolution was then adopted by yea and
nay vote-114 to 81. Following is the resolution
as amended and adopted
Resolved That the bill commonly known as the
Morrison tariff bill shall be taken up for consideration
at the earliest practicable day and reasonable time for
debate allowed thereon and after such debate that
bill be passed for reduction of duties and tariff
taxes that the 'opton of this resolution shall not be
considered bind in controlling the individual action
of Democrats e. 1T to the extent each member may
feel he ought to influenced by the expression of
opinion by the majority of his associates
Mr. Carlisle then offered the following resolu-
ton which was adopted.
Resolved That in order to reconcile the conflict
ing opinions and secure legislation reducing taxation
the plan for the reduction of the present
sion of Congress shall embrace provision repealing
all internal revenue taxes on tobacco snuff and cigars
and special taxes connected herewith and also
ducing the tax brandy distilled from fruit ten
cents per galon provided such repeal and reduction
shall not be made except in connection with the
duction of tariff duties"
This largeness of the vote against considering
the Morrison tariff bill was the subject of much
comment after the adjournment of the caucus
Opponents of the bill assert unhestatingly that
the fifty y-seven Democratic votes cast tonight
against the caucus resolution, together with the
nearly solid Republican vote in the House, will
certainly defeat the bill whenever it comes up
for action. Three other Democratic members
Findlay, FerreIl and Hoblitzell-who were not
present onight are known to be opposed to the
bill, thus making, it is claimed, sixty Democrat
ic votes against the measure, although not more
than thirty-fve or forty have heretofore been
reckoned in the current estimates.
There no talk of reading out of the party
The policy of the Democrats as determined by
the caucus, is, therefore, that there shall be a
tariff reduction; that members may talk and
vote as are their convictions, and that there
shall be tariff bill with an internal revenue re-
duction on tobacco and fruit brandes The dis
cussion will come up in the House next week
The basis of the reduction WILL of course, be the
Morrison bill.
How the Result Was Received.