Wichita eagle., 1888-04-12
A Resolution Adopted at the Caucus
Last Night to Adjourn
the House
With the Understanding That the Direct
Tax Bill be Brought up on De-
cember 6, Next,
And Three Days be Then Given to its Con.
Sideration and Amendment-MiS-
cellaneous News Notes.

announcement OF the fact that Demo
cratic caucus would be held tonight was
made when but few members were IN at
tendance, runners were sent out to notify
absentees and about 125 Democratic mem
bers were present when the caucus was
called to order. A good deal of apprehen-
sion had been felt lest the call would not
result in full meeting, and rumors were
current that Mr. Randall and other prom
inent Democrats had declared against
caucus, but these fears were
allayed when the gentleman put in an
early appearance. The proceedings ran
smoothly and no bad feeling was deyel-
oped. A number Of motions were proposed
as basis of compromise, but the ma
jority of them looked to postponement
of the tax bill to more or less distant
date
After many motions had been offered
proposition was made by Mr.. O'Farrel, of
Virginia, representing what he said was
the extreme limit of the concessions that
would be made by the friends of the
bill. This proposal provided that the di-
rect tax bill should be postponed until
December 18th next with condition that
when it is then taken up reasonable time
will be allowed for debate and vote taken
on it. Speaker Carlisle is said to have
strongly advocated the acceptance of this
proffered compromise.
Mr.. Holman made speech in which he
declared that the present proceedings were
of the most extraordinary character ever
witnessed in legislative body. ex-
hibiting the spectacle of a great
hafo
He called on Mr. Oates to state his posi-
ton in the matter.
Mr. Oates replied that he had come into
the caucus with the expectation of making
some concessions. If he followed his own
views he would consent to no measure that
did not involve the absolute defeat of the
bill. But he was a Democrat and if the
caucus decided against him, he would
abide by its decision and support
it with his vote. This declaration
was received with applause by the
caucns Mr.. Oates added that be favored
the proposed postponement of the tax bill,
but would regret to see the caucus agree
to the condition that vote should be
taken upon it at a fixed date. Much de- !
bate followed and the caucus finally APP
pointed the following resolutions:
Resolved, That Oh reassembliHg tomor-
row the house shall adjourn with |
the understanding that the COM
mittee on rules will report a
special order. setting apart Thur
day, December6, 1888, Immediately after
the reading of the journal for the con-
of the senate bill 139, to provide
for a refunding of the direct tax levied in
1861, in which order a reasonable |
time, not to exceed three days !
viz, Thursday, Saturday and Tues |
day shall be allowed for debate and !
and the time for a
vote on its final passage shall be fixed at
O'Clock Tuesday.
Mr.. Cox, on calling the caucus to order, |
made a short speech in, which he appealed |
to his Democratic colleagues to present a
united font and sacrifice their Individual !
feelings for the sake of party harmony, |
which sentiment was yociferously APP |
plauded. The caucus adjourned at 1910.
There has been, of course, no conference |
among the Republicans as to the course |
they will adopt in view of decision of |
the Democratic caucus to postpone until |
next December further consideration of /
the direct tax bill. 1t is not believed, /
however, that they will resort to /
any unusual tactics to prevent |
the Democrats carrying out the /.
caucus decision. Representative Cannon, |
of Illinois. who is chairman of the Republi- /
can caucus committee, said tonight that |
while he did not feel warranted in speak |
ing for his colleagues, he personally |
thought other Republicans would not re- |
sort to revolutionary proceedings |
to prevent an adjournment tomorrow !
Such course would be utterly |
at variance with Republican policy |
in the past. The Democratic party was IN |
the majority and he was willing to go be-
fore tn country on the question whether |
the methods of the past week should be |
or not. Ii the country was will
ing to be dominated by small deter
mined faction from the south, well and |
good. 1t is the general understanding |
that the Democratic members will abide |
by the decision of the caucus.