Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-08
RADICAL TARIFF LEGISLATION,
That Is What the Action of the Democratic
Senatorial Caucus Indicates.

That Is What the Action of the Democratic
Senatorial Caucus Indicates.
The action of the democratic senatorial eau
Gus in appointing a committee to look after the
doubtful legislatures with view of securing
control of the Senate after the All of March
was extraordinary and is regarded as indicative
of a determination on the part of the ruling
numbers in the party to remove all obstacles to
the M ost radical legislation which the late vic
tory makes possible. The republicans do not
want TO organize the Senate, for the reason, as
many of them have stated, that they want
the responsibility for legislation to rest entirely
with the democrats. 1t is believed, on the
other hand. that there is a small-probably
very small-faction of democrats who
would be gratified If a republican Senate
could be continued to stand in the way
and furnish an excuse for a failure
to go as far in the way of tariff Legislation as
the declared policy of the party indicates.
good many complaints are heard from some of
the most pronounced tariff for revenue demo-
Gratis that sufficient attention was not paid to
the Senate during the campaign and it is said
that now there is disposition in certain quar-
tiers to let the thing go by default. The radical
tariff reformers are apparently distrustful of
some Of the prominent men in the party and
are watching their every movement with sus-
picion. The appointment of this committee to
inquire OUT HiaJorlty is movement on tEe part
Of those who do not want any excuse to exist
for failure to carry out to the full the policy
of the democratic platform.
NOT AFRAID OF THE RESPONSIBILITY
1t is a mistake to assume that there is any
large number OF democrats in Congress who are
afraid Of the responsibility that is placed with
them to tariff legislation. A large majority
of them are eager to cut and slash the protec-
tive system, and if they can only be permitted
to get at the work quick enough they are ready
to run the risk Of consequences. Those who
oppose this idea are not numerous. though some
of them are strong men. However, few men
who skillful and determined can give a
great deal of trouble to the party, and it is ap-
parent that preparations are being made for
a struggle within the party ranks. Those men
ton are determined that no chance TO control
the Senate shall be lost through lack Of atten-
ton. and in the House they are figuring on
what can be done to secure them against the
obstruction Of any small minority that may be
formed. the Randall faction WAS in the
Forty-eighth and Forty ninth Congresses, to re-
sist radical legislation.
MAY ADOPT THE REED RULES.
In anticipation OF trouble with son,e of the
conservatives when the attempt at tariff legisla-
tion is made in the Fifty-third Congress there
ia considerable talk of the necessity of having
rules which will not admit Of flibustering. 1t
Is urged that it will not do as excuse for not
doing what they promised ''the people" to say
thar few men of their own party blocked the
way and made the majority helpless. The
democrats themselves confess that thoy have
got to devise some more effective means OF
dealing with flibuster, and the republicans
are predicting that they will be driven to the
adoption Of the Reed rules.