National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-27
HOW THEY TAKE 1T.
Press Opinions on the Democratic House
Caucus.

Caucus.
The vote against the Morrison bill in the
democratic caucus settles its defeat. A
measure opposed by one-third of the party
caucus can BIO passed only under the party
lash, and tho handle of tho party whip is
broken by tho passage Of the Hopkins reso-
luton, which makes tho body that met last
substantial victory rests with Mr. Randall |;
Mr.. Morrison can mako up the record to suit
himself. Philadelphia Press.
This nonsensical resolution was then de-
clared not to DO binding on the party unless
individual members chose to be bound by it,.
Mr.. Carlisle emphasized the emptiness of tho
proceedings by securing tho passage of a
resolution providing for the repeal Of the
| tax on tobacco and tho reduction of the
tax OH fruit handy to 10 cents per gallon.
Plainly, the democrats have been SO long
accustomed to follow blindly, though at u
long distance, in the steps of tho republicans,
that they have lost the power of independ-
emit action. They have thrown away the
only issue on which they could go to the
| country and have elected to enter the
canvass on their merits. 1t would save them
expense and trouble if they did not enter in
| at all.-New York Times.
But before its passage the whole force OF
the resolution was destroyed by an amend
ment providing that it should not be binding
| on any individual member against his own
conviction, beyond the influence that nat
urally results from formal party action in
caucus. In other words, any member who
feels disposed to support the committees
| bill after amendment, because q majority OF
the democratic members favor the passage of 9
tariff bill, may do so. and any member who still
| dcprecates any useless action on the tariff
may vote against it. We regard the agita'
ton of the tariff at all at this time, when its
alteration by single figure is impossible. a.
impoltic and foolish. But the caucus has
| been as harmless as the campaign OF the
historical king Of Franco who with $4,000
men marched up the hill and then marched
down again.-NeU York World.
The most interesting feature Of the caucus
was the stand it took on tho degree of au'
| thority claimed over the votes of members
1t was generally understood that a majority
favored the Morrison bill, but the question
was how far this opinion should bind thu
minority. On this point the Randall mer
won their battle to the extent that ever!
member is made the judge OF his own or
thodoxy. - On what is called
caucus question:" however, members ar
generally held to be bound to vote as unit
Thus, IL the Randall men voted for him 10
speaker after the caucus had nominated
Carlisle throwing thereby the organization
of the house into the power OF the repubii
cans, the action would have been regarded q
a bolt and dissolution of the party. Tha
the same element may now oppose tho tarit
measure, which Carlisle's election meant
aud thus enable the republicans to dictat
the tariff legislation of tho house, withou
thereby violating party fealty, proves tina
tho Morrison bill is not made, in the ordi
nary sense, caucus measure; it proves, il
other words, that tho action Of tho caucus il
advisory rather than mandatory; and that
therefore, the Randall minority has goo
reason to BIO satisfied with tho result. Tn
tariff will now be, SO far as tho democratic
members are concerned, local issue.
Where they have protectionist constituencies
they will oppose the bill; where the peopl
believe in free trade they will favor II
where Indifference prevails the member wi
be open to conviction. --Ecentag Star.