Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-21
RANDALL TAKES HOLD.



It looks now O. II Randall were the master Of
the situation in the House. He was the big
gest man on the floor this morning, and will
probably retain his full stature from this for
ward. It looks as IL nothing but violent fili-
buster, consuming the rest Of the session, can
prevent the passage OF the Rsndall-Cowles to-
bacco bill. Filibustering would be very un-
popular 40 an expedient
By Q coup daaf Randall has placed himself
fairly to the front with an apparent majority Of
his own party, and the republicans followed
his leadership. The popular voice Of the
House is
FOB REPEAL OF THE TOBACCO TAX,
and the proposition appears to be gaining in
strength almost hourly. 1t has been evident
for some time that if the matter could come to
q vote bill of this sort could be passed. Mr..
Randall has awaited himself of this sentiment
and, with his skill as parliamentarian and his
personal force, has worked the matter up 10
that point where the ways and means committee
seems to be completely knocked out" The res
olutions he introduced in the House this morn
ing (given in the regular report are almostcer-
tain to be reported favorably from the commit
Tee on rules, as his vote, with the votes OF the
republicans, makes majority Of the commit
tee. Some Of the most ardent tariff reformers
have come to the onclusion that since they can
not makes the Mills bill into a law, they should
reduce the revenue as best they can through
repeal Of the tobacco tax. 1t is said that on
account of their home influences the Speaker
and two democratic members Of the ways and
means committee will not make any resistance
to the movement If, indeed, they do not finally
vote for the bill.
ANOTHER CALL FOR CAUCUS.
A call for caucus tonight has been signed
by a large number and it is likely that this time
it will not fall through. The call was circu-
lated by MIR. Crisp, who has always been in
warmest sympathy with the ways and means
committee and enjoys their complete conf
dence. though it is understood, unless all the
calculations on both sides are far out Of the
way, that Randall will control the caucus.
The tobacco men claim, and it is generally
expected that their claim will prove well
founded, that they can secure an Endorsement
of the Randall-Cowles bill by the caucus.
While they expect to be beaten, il is not
thought that the ways and means men will stay
out of the caucus. They propose TO go in and
to
MAKE FIGHT FOR CONTROL.
Some one may be disappointed at the result,
but it looks now very much as if Randall
might be successful throughout 1t is ex-
pected that he will get report from the COM
mlttee ON rules upon his resolution.
FLIBUsTERINa POSSIBLE.
1t is a matter of uncertainty what the tariff
reformers will do as to these resolutions the
matter came up so suddenly that they have
not settled upon any plan, but it is not improb-
able that they will ilibuster against the reso-
lutions. Nothing definite can be known as to
the course to be followed until the result of the
caucus Is known. The situation is one of the
most interesting Of the session.
WILL NOT ATTEND THE CAUCUS.
Later in the afternoon it was learned that
Mr.. Mills and the other democrats of the ways
and means committee had about decided to
stay away from the caucus. There is no doubt
but that Mr.. Randall can get favorable report
from the committee on rules for his resolution.
Mr.. Mills WILL however, filibuster against its
adoption With the change of rules that Mr..
Randall proposes accomplished Mr.. Randalrs
mastery of the situation would be complete.
After that attempts at flibustering would be
harmless