Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-11
An Understanding.

The caucus held on Wednesday evening
by the Democratic members OF the House OF
Representatives was, we infer from the tele-
graphic reports Of lts proceedings, one OF the
most harmonious that ever assembled In the
Capitol. There seemed 70 be unanimous
desire 10 harmonic conflicting views on the
tariff question, and TO clear the way to the
sdoption at ST. Louis Of platform acOe ptable
20 Democrats OF every section and every
state. There were no threats INDUCED In.
The party lash was not raised over anybody's
shoulders. Adesire for harmony was clearly
manifest; and as means to that eud LIBERAL
ity Of opinion was commended.
The MILLS bin Is the basis Of tariff reform.
Upon it are 10 be engraited whatever changes
in the present law the House OF Representa-.
tiyes may order to be made. But no men,
Der IS required to take the bill as a whole as
II now stands. Amendments are to be sub
mitted TO the Democratic members OF the
Committee OF Ways and Means, who will in
turn submit them TO future caucuses with
such recommendations as TO them may seem
proper. Sir. WISE, our representative, had
made n speech in the House OF Representa-
,iyes on Wednesday, only few hours before
the caucus met, in which speech he
declared that he was opposed TO
the retention Of any portion OF the to-
bacco tax. and intended TO propose at the
proper time an amendment abolishing the
whole Of that tax. Nobody objected In
caucus to his declaration. Mr.. WISE also
very cauOidly ayOwcd that he was satisfied
that any sudden withdrawal Of the adyan-
tagcs now enjoyed by some Of the mauuiac-
iurers would be "attended by ruin and DIS
aslcr, and that the consequence would
be felt not only by those I'M
medatcy interested, but by those en'
gagged IN other pursuits Mr.. WISE
further remarked thai IN his opinion The MILLS
bill was moderate measure, and that In It's
preparation the Committee OF Ways and
Means had been particularly regardtHl OF
those industries IN which the people OF Viz.
cinia are interested. seeing that very slight
changes had been made in the metal sche-
dule. and coal and iron ores are left by this
lin a. they are under the existing tariff.
Ftually he added that though favOrlng the
general features Of the bill, and believing 1t
u be a conservative step in the right direc-
ton. he held himself at liberty to vote for
such amendments as in his opinion would
improve IT,
These uttcrauces Of a leading Virginia
Democrat, who in making them spoke for
his constituents, were not accounted by the
cracus as unbecoming Democrat. On the
contrary, the caucus itse; decided, as we
have said, that any Democratic member who
desired 10 offer amendments TO the MILLS
bill should be heard by the Committee OF
WAYS aud Means first, and afterwards by the
caucus.
But the exceeding great hberality Of the
caucus was best manifested In ITS treatment
OF tie proposition Of Mr.. T. j. CAMPBELL, OF
New York, who suggested mOdesty that 1t
would be well II the committee should
agree not 10 report upon amendments be-
fore the New York Democratic Convention
was held next week "To tins suggestion
favorable response was made"
We are glad that this caucus was held be-
fore the time for the meeting OF the Virginia
Democratic State Convention. II set good
example. Its action will serve as precedent
for the action OF that convention. II there Is
any State IN the Union whose Democrats
should allow the utmost liberality Of opinion,
1t is Virginia, whose sons must either do
that or submit to the rule Of WILLIAM Ma
HONE.