Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-02-22
TO DISCUSS REVENUES.
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN IN CAUCUS
LAST NIGHT.
Samuel ]. Randall is Again Heard From-HOw He
Was Twice Read Out Of the Party-Mr
Scott Defends the Ways and
Means Committee.

0craiic members of the House held eau
Gus tonight to consider the revenue bills
Mr. Cox, the caucus chairman, was absent
and Mr.. McCreary, of Kentucky, occupied
the chair. Sixty-three members were in
attendance when the caucus met, includ-
ing most Of the Democratic members Of
the Ways and Means Committee, except
Chairman Mills Speaker Carlisle was
also among the abseniees.
Mr.. Crisp, of Georgia, opened the pro.
ceediugs by statement of his reasons for
originating the call for the caucus. Since
the election there mad been no caucus on
revenue bills and the majority was falling
apart. It had passed the Mills bill
only to have emasculated by the Senate.
His own belief was that partypolicy and not
individual opinion should govern. If the
Mills bill we're further insisted on, there
would be no revenue reduction. If some
thing was not done now the Democratic
party would not have another opportunity
in five years.
Mr.. Grain offered the Randall substitute
fer tie CoRles bill with the free list of the
Senate bill as sn opportune measure. He
estimated that it would reduce the revenue
$3O, 900, 600 on tobacco, and $50, 900, 600 on
the free list. The Senate could not 20
back on its own free list, aud it could not
afford to opposa the repeal OF the tobacco
tax.
Mr.. Bynum offered a resolution that the
InNa ka
that it should now adjourn, to meet again
Saturday.
Mr.. Buckslew. of Pennsylvania, wanted
committee of five appointed to report
some feasible proposition to the. caucus
Saturday night, and Mr.. Outhwaite, of
Ohio, took similar position.
Mr. Randall did not believe anybody
would accuse him of undue haste in pres
sing the matter. He was looking ahead
to the struggle that must fellow in the
future, and that would result in again
bringing TIE party into p wer. There
vas no use in brcoiiug over the past. No
man would make greater sacrifice than be
10 bring this about. The COwles bill had
BEEN kept q month in committee, and was
not taken until all of its other work was
finished. He intended to take up the
bill in the House, but the caucus PROPOSE
tiOa prevented him. He was opposed to
longer delay, because there would then be
no opportunity TO take up the bill.
Mr.. McMillin, of Tennessee, asked If
the speaker had no right TO exercise his
discretion in recognizing member to sus-
pend the rules alta later date, if the bill
should be delayed by an adjournment OF
the caucus.
Mr.. Randall replied in the affirmative,
but added that be did not propose to leave
the matter of recognition to any man. The
caucus might appoint q committee, ss pro-
posed by Mr.. Buckalew, but he would not
therefore be deferred from trying 10 repeal
the tobacco tax. He WAS roundly ap
plauded during the delivery of his speech.
A long discussion followed respecting
the precedence Of motions to take up reve-
nue. bills and TO saepend the rules.
Mr.. O'Neill, of Mo, said that he stood By
the Wsys ard Means Committee, but was
in favor Of the Cowles bill. The tobacco
tax was war tax and should be abolished.
Mr.. Cowles said he was tired ofquib-
bling, AMI talked plainly aho1t the pro-
crastination of the Ways ard Means Com
mittee and how they had put him off time
and again when he begged them 10 report
a tobacco bill one way or another The
people did not care about what committee
reported bill. They wanted the tobacco
tax cut of, and did not care how it came
about.
Mr.. Scott, of Pennsylvania, and Mr..
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, earnestly de-
Tended the Ways and Means Committee,
and charged that the Randall bill was a
divorcement of the tTo wings OF the party |
and warmly protested against a severance
of the tariff end revenue features Of the
Mills bill, arguing that the bill represented
the result of the mature deliberations Of the
Ways and Means Committee, and had
gained votes in manufacturing centres.
Mr.. Randall insisted on consideration of
the bill. He had been read out of the par
~ twice, but had gotten bsck. In answer
TO M. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, be said
he was endeavoring TO facilitate the coneld-
Grafton of the bill to repeal the tobacco tax,
aud he would not agree to abide by the
decision of majority of the caucus. He
added that he bad reason to believe that
two DemOCThtlc meIuDeIo Va tho SVntHA's
tee on Rules would agree to report back
the resolution introduced by him to-day,
and the Speaker had done all in his power
to secure consideration Of the matter dur
ing this session.
Mr.. Mansur, OF Missouri, favored the
appointment of a committee TO select fIom
both bills the provisions which could be
passed. /
Mr.. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, thought
it was not necessary TO disc So a PROPOSE
ton to put the Senate free list upon the
tobacco bill. 1t would be uDgenerous to
those holding his views to touch the Rsn'
dali bill.
After a speech by Mr.. Dougterty, CT
Florida, the caucus, without coming to
any conclusion, adjourned.