The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-15
TARIFF LEGISLATION.
Democrat Discusses the Prospect, but
Thinks 1T IL Not Very Bright

Democrat Discusses the Prospect, but
Thinks 1t Is Not Very Bright
BpeciaI to the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON March 14-''So far as / am
soncernsd." very active Democrats member
Of the House committee on ways and mean said,
this morning. II don't care whether we have a
tariff bill passed or not. If I were to tell you
the real truth, don't believe bill will be
passed of any kind The people who are consoling
themselves that there will be reduction in the
internal revenues whether there is reform in the
importation taxes or not, are going to be proven
bad prophets 1t would never do to reduce the
internal tax and not touch the importation dues.
have about become Disguised with those South
Urn Democratic members who working with
Randall on account of our reductions of the
sugar and rice taxes, and believe we should let
them go. We might as well throw
them overheard, as they have mono
of the party's welfare at large in
view. They confne themselves exclusively to
their local interest If had consulted my own
locality and not looked beyond my personal
baihwick, I would have antagonized free wool;
but was looking TO the good of the party at
large, and without free wool there is no use of
having tariff reform. 1t has been the bone of
contention for many years, and we decided to
take the bull by the horns and make it the
principal feature Of the bill, although the
auctions in the revenues it makes are not as
large as are offered by some other features of
the bill. The Republicans" continued the dis
tinguished Democratic member, will do every
thing they can to delay a final vote on the ad-
ministration tariff bill till after convention
at St Louis, on the 9TH of June OF course, it
is our purpose to have action taken on our bill
as early in May possible, so as to see what
the Senate is going to do with the bill
If the House passes one. and then
Bpect to the partys work on the tariff.
II the Republicans could cheat us out OF this
they would certainly make a good point; but
there will have to be a very strong com binatiOn
between the Republicans and the Randall men
in the House if this is done. I do not believe
that it can be done Randall may have his large
following, as he had two years ago. his follow
ing,may be larger, on account OF the free-wool
clause in the bill; but do not believe that he
could with the assistance of the Republicans,
delay final action If he dared to do it. 1t is no
secret that Mr.. Randall 10 in bad favor with the
President Mr. Cleveland began to regard sus-
pciously the Psnnsylvanian more than year
ago. and so intimated to him. MIR. Randall made
professions of friendship and support In the
matter of tariff reform and everything else, but
the President told me recently that Mr. Randall
had ceased TO call upon HIM, and that his actions
In the House did not accord With the professions
that he made with his tongue. / do not believe
that MIR. Randall would hesitate to backcap his
party NJ St Louis In the matter Of preparing
platform and making tariff declarations, for
reasons he is, IN the first place, opposed TO
Mr. Cleveland, who will be the nominee. and he
is the leading pTotectionst of the country We
have made bill with free wool, which enunci-
Rtes the principles of party and sets forth
ats platform. III have not enough strength
In the House to give il success, the only thing
we can DO is to do the best can, and 20 to the
country upon our record"