Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-22
Democratic Csncus.
lDY lelegraph y the Dispstch.l

WASHINGTON, February 81. The Demo-
cratic members OF the House held a caucus
to- night to consider the revenue bills. Mr..
Cox, the caucus chairman. was absent, and
Mr.. McCreary. OF Kentucky, occupied the
chair. Sixiy.three members were In attend
ance when the CAUCUS met, including most
Of the Democratic members OF the Ways and
Means Committee except Chairman Mills.
Speaker Carlisle was also among the abb
sentees.
The caucus remained IN session from 1880
until after II O'Clock. Mr.. Crisp opened the
proceedings By the statement OF his reasons
for originating the call for caucus. He depre.
Gated the lack OF unity OF the Democratic
party IN the House and expressed his conyic.
ton thst II was necessary for its reputation
that harmony should be established, and that
the Democratic majority In the Fiftleth Con-
eress should signalize ilsef before relln-
gushing coRtrOl by the adoption OF
genuine practical measure OF relief for the
Treasury-one that stood fair chance to
become enacted into law. Since the cleo
ton there had been no caucus on the reye-
nue. bills, and the majority was falling apart.
n had passed the Mills bill only 10 have 1t
emsscnlaled by the Senate 10 was COM
monty known that motion would be mace
10 90 into Committee Of the Whole on the
revenue bills, aud II Vas only proper that the
CAUCUS should outline the policy 10 be ADOPT.
ed in this cese and prevent divislou. HIS
own belief was that the pariy's policy and
not individual opinion should govern. II
the Mills bill were further insisted on there
would be no revenue reduction. II some
thing was not done now the Democratic
party would not have another opportunity
IN five years.
Mr.. Grain. Of Texas, offered the Randall
substitute for the COwles bin with .hc free
llst Of the senate bill as an opportune mea-
sure.
Mr. Barnes. Of Georgia, was anxious to
reach a compromise. AS the Mills bin could
not pass he favored the I'oruey bill, and he
would 20 further than Mr.. Grain and add all
Of the reductions made by the seuste bill.
Mr.. BuckaleE. OF Pennsylvania, wanted
committee ~ i've appointed 20 report some
feasible proposition TO the caucus Saturday
night, aud Mr. Cultivate, OF OHIO, took
similar position.
Mr.. Randall did not believe anybody
would accuse him Of undue haste IN press
ing The matter. The COwles bill had been
kept month IN the committee, aud was not
taken up tiu all OF its other work was hn-
ishcd, and he intended 70 make motion to
take up the bill IN toe House, but The caucus
proposition prevented INN. He was on.
posed 10 longer delay because there would
be no oppoTtuuit, 30 take up the bill.
Mr.. McMiiI asked u the Speaker had not
the riRbt 10 exercise his discretion IN TecOg-
niZine a member TO suspend the rules at 4
later date " the bill should be delayed by au
adjournment u the caucus
Dlr. Randall replied in The Affirmative, but
added that be did not propose to leave the
mstter Of recognition to any man. The eau
Gus might appoint tue committee proposed
Itrf Ia
be deferred from trying 10 repeal the to-
baccO tax. He was roundy appauded du~
ring the delivery Of his speech.
A long discussion followed respecting the
precedence OF motions 10 take up the revenue
bills and 10 suspend the rules.
Mr. Cowles said he was tired Of clubbing
and talked plainly about the procrastnatlon
of the WAYS and Means Committee and how
il had PIT him of time and again when he
begged Il TO report the tobacco bill one way
or another. The people did not care about
what committee reported the BILL They
simply waited the tobaccO-tax cut of and
did not care how It came about
Mr. Scott, OF Pennsylvania. aud Mr..
Breckenridge, OF Kentucky, earnestly de-
Tended the WAYS aud Means Committee
and CHARGED that the Randall bill was the
enforcement OF the two wings OF the party.
and warmly protested against the severance
of the tariff aud reyenue features OF the
Mills bill. arguing that the bill represented
the result Of the mature deliberations OF the
WAYS and Means Committee aud had gained
votes in the manufacturing centres.
Mr.. Randall insisted on the consideration
OF the Cowles bill. In answer 10 Mr.. Breck-
inridgo. OF Kentucky, he said be was en-
deavonnc to facilitate the consideration OF
the bill 10 repeal the tobacco-tax aod he
would not agree to abide by the decision OF
tho mqiorlty Of the caucus. lie added that
he had reason TO believe that two Democrats
Of the Committee on Rules would agree TO
report back the resolution introduced by
him to-day, aud the Speaker had done all in
h,s ,ower TO secure the consideration OF the
matter during this session.
Other speakers were Messrs. Vance OF
Connecticut, Mausure and Breckenridge OF
Missouri. and DoYgherty OF Florida.
No vote was reached.