Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-11
TALK ABOUT THE CAUCUS.
Its Failure to Agree Last Night Not
Significant

THE NATIONAL ELECTION BILL MAY BE SHARPLY
PRESSED IN THE SENATE, BUT IT WILL BE AFTER
THE TARIFF AND APPROPRIATION BILLS ARE
DISPOSED of-THEN IT MAY TAKE soMK TIME
The failure of the republican senatorial eau
Gus to agree upon program for the consider
alton of the federal election bill does not
necessarily signify that they will not press that
measure. There ere many Senators who are
lukewarm in this matter and there are several
who are positively opposed to the bill, beliey-
ing ii to be unwse, but those who want it
passed this session are deeply in earnest, and
they are supported in their position, even
prodded to activity. by the influence of the
House and possibly by that of the President
Though they have not yet succeeded in their
efforts to whip their colleagues into line they
are going to continue the effort with more de-
termination than ever. 1t was urged in caucus
by those who opposed the measure, and
especially by those who do not agree that
it is safe to attempt change of rules for the
purpose OF forcing this bill through that the
regular course OF legislation should not be in
terrupted or, at least, that 1t should not be as
sumed at once that the democrats in the Senate
propose to obstruct all legislation.
THE INTENTION OF THE DEMOCRATS NOT DECLARED.
Thorgh there has been much talk of the in
tention of the democrats to protract debate I'M
necessarily for the purpose Of defeating the
bill by consumption of time, and though this
might be their course, these Senators
held that as yet there had not been
sufficient evidence of this plan to
warrant the majority IN attempting
to put in force the previous question" They
held that no such evidence had been given by
the debate on the silver bill, for the reason that
the democrats might claim with honesty that
this measure ls one Of importance upon which
the parties are divided and that they
consumed no more time in debate
than necessary to fully present
the issue to the public. They could give war
rant for this claim by pointing to the fact that
they had permitted a vote on this bill yester-
day before the caucus was called. 1t was held
to be at least no more than fair TO let the
democrats clearly show their purpose to OBJ
struct before attempting to curtail their power.
THE DECISION 70 GO ON WITH REGULAR LEGIs-
LATIoN.
Accordingly the decision was made to so on
with the regular legislation and to see what the
democrats did before tsking further action. 1t
Is the purpose of the advocates of the federal
election bill after following this course.
out Of consideration for the conserva-
tive sentiment: in the party, to attempt
to fix a time for the vote on the measure.
Whether they can succeed in this is as much in
doubt as ever, with the weight of senator iat
traditions against them. The men who argued
for postponement of action do not stand
pledged to support a proposition for
such an innovation even should it de-
velop beyond question that the demo-
cratS are resorting 10 dllatory tactics. 1t may
be that even then they will hold back. Messrs.
Frye and Spooner have not yet go. pledges
from sufficient number of Senators that they
Will remain III the Senate as long necessary
to maintain a. quorum of republicans and to
force vote on the bill. and the friends of the
measure are still in az much doubt about the
result as are their opponents. 1t does seem
probable that the caucus will finally decide to
press the bill vigorously, though it is not as
likely that they can change the rules.
THE TARIFF AND APPROPRIATION BILLS.
The necessity for taking up the appropria-
ton bills and the tariff bills is forced upon the
majority by the demands of the government
for the appropriations. and the anxiety of the
business interests that the tariff question should
be disposed of as soon as possible. The busi-
ness interests. whether favorably or un-
favorably affected by the pro-
posed tariff bill, join in the desire to
have the matter disposed of, so as to relieve
the strain of doubt. Those interests that are
especially benefited by the provisions are of
course urgent in their demands for prompt
action and are fearful of jeopardizing the bill
b. allowing other questions to intervene which
threaten to consume much of the time of the
session.
These are powerful reasons leading to the
disposal OF the other business before taking I'D
the election bill. and that course gives an ad-
vantage to the democrats in the matter Of the
consumption of time.
The democrats, recognizing the necessity of
having concert OF action i'll the present exi-
gency under the leadership of a shrewd poll
| tician, nave placed themselves nnder Senator
German III this ii yht and will follow his advice
az q party. III both the House and Senate.