The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-06-08

THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
THE TARIFF BILL STILL UNDER
DlSCI SSION.

THE TARIFF BILL STILL UNDER
DlSCU USSION.
xres>men in the Democratic Caucus--
Personals, &c
Especial Cor. STATE CHRON1CLEl
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 5, 188S.-Un-
til Saturday the opinion prevailed that the
coming week in Congress would be devoid
of interest and Importance. 1t was ex-
pected that, with the eyes of the nation
turned towards the convention of St Louis,
there would not be a quorum, especially
during the middle of the week, in the House
or the Senate. 1t has been determined,
however, by the Democratic party leaders
to keep the members of the House, who
cannot find pairs among Republicans, at
their post of duty. In accordance with
this determination, the tariff bill will be
under discussion during the coming week
and will only give way to such appropria-
ton bills as may be in the proper shape to
be reported to the House. A great many
members We're anxious to avail themselves
Of the opportunity to go to st. LOUIS, but
they will now be forced to remain in Wash
lngton and to make as much progress as
they can possibly make in the discussion
of the tariff bill. The evident disposition
on the part of the Republicans to resort
to every possible method of retarding the
progress of the bill is calculated to harmon
lze the conflicting elements in the Demo
cratic party.
Since the action of Col. COwles and Col.
Johnston in caucus last week, the delega-
tion has agreed to vote for the Mills bill,
provided they are given fair show on
the floor of the House to offer and discuss
the amendments intended to repeal or
greatly ameliorate the internal revenue
system. If anything is done in this par
ticular, especial credit will be due the Hon.
". II. Ii. Cowles, who boldly took the in
itiative and declared last Monday night
that be would bolt the caucus before he
would bind himself not to vote for any
amendment which would lessen in any
way any of the iniluitous burdens i'm
posed by the internal revenue system. At
Il later caucus Col. Cowles made speech
which created considerable excitement. He
spoke forcibly and to the point. He de-
ciared that no arbitrary ruling of any
DE- tmocratlc caucus should prevent him
f ON using his utmost endeavors to carry
out the known will of his constituents
To them and to the Democratic party of
North Carolina he first owed allegiance
mated him had instructed him anew as
to what his duty was in this particular,
and that duty he did not intend to shirk
for any possible consideration So far as it
was in his power to effect either a repeal
of the whole system, or the abolition OF the
fruit brandy tax, or any other mOdltlca-
ton of the internal revenue law, as it ex-
lists, it should be exerted to the utmost.
He demanded as right that he should be
heard on the floor of the House on this
subject, and no caucus would ever bind
him not to exercise that right to the ut
most limit. Col. Johnston then arose and
said Col. Cowles' position conceded entire
ly with his own; that he, too, would re-
fuse to consent to be bound by caucus ac-
ton in a matter of such vital Importance
to his constituents. Mr.. Mills then took
the floor aud endeavOred to convince Col.
Cowles that concessions had already been
made to the North Carolina delegation
Col Cowles replied to him firmly but
courteously, and told him it was lmpos-
sible for him to vote for his bill without "a
chance to also vote for the amendments
which his people demanded should be
added to the bill. If this chance shoaid
be given to the North Carolina delegation
on the floor of the House, and they should
fail in etfecting anything in this direction.
they would then vote for the Mills bill,
but the attempt must be made, and 1t
should be made on the floor of the House
of Representatives. Col. Rowland then
suggested that the caucus should wait the
action Of the North Carolina Convention,
then in session. He thought the platform,
as enunciated by that convention, would
be guide to the delegation as to what
their course should be. That platform,
to my mind, settles the matter beyond the
shadow of doubt, and binds the North
Carolina delegation to take a strong posi-
tion for every possible repeal of the inter
nal revenue law. Col. McClammy stated
at this caucus that he felt assured North
Carolina could be relied on to roll up !,
good Democratic majority, no matter what
became of the Mills bill or of the Internal
revenue system. Since this last caucus,
and since the adjournment of the State
Convention at Raleigh, the sentiment of
the delegation is about this: They will
support the Mills bill if they are allowed
to give the amendments they desire to add
to it a fair showing on the floor of the
House If these amendments should be
offered and rejected they are then prepared
to do all in their power by their votes and
influence to contribute to party harmony
and pass the Mills bill with or without the
alterations they now urge. do not think
there is man in the delegation who will
recede from this position. The Hon. John
S. Henderson was present at the caucus IL
which Col. CowleS took the bold stand al
uded to above. He took no part, how
ever, in the discussion, as he evidently
wished to bear from the State Convention
before he committed himself. He has saiC
all along that he would vote for the repea
of the fruit brandy tax, even if a Repub
lican made the proposition.
Senator Ransom left for ST. Louis Fri
| day night, as a member of the Nationa
| Executive Committee. 1t was though
| advisable for him to be on hand befor,
! the convention assembled. Senator Cor
| man, Ex Senator Barnum, Hon. VIM. L
Scott, Col Morrison and others are alst
| on the spot.
Thurman is ahead of all others in Wash
ington to- day as a Vice Presidential can
didate. There is but one possible objec
ton 20 him-his age. He is nearly sew
enty six years old, and many of his friend
in this city think that the excitement O
the campaign will kill him. Especial in
terest is felt in the probable longevity o
the Vice President, because all the sign
point to The probability of tie vote il
the next Senate. A Democratic Vice Pres
ident would thus have the power of cast
lug the final vote, which would be equiv
hot Il