The Russellville Democrat., 1893-11-16
HE TARIFF BILL
WILL THE RESULT OF THE RECENT ELECTIONS HAVE ANYTHING
 TO DO WITH IT.
pRoTEcnoNlsrs HoPEFU.
A Caueus i~ Dsstred to Diseus the hii Bsfsr- t ts Presented 10
 thr House.

WASHINGTON. D. C., Nov. 10 1t is difficult to predict what effect the recent elections will have on the tariff bill now being formulated by inc Democratic majority Of the ways and means committee, but the uttersnces of Chairman Wilson in aicate that the result will have lit tie weight in changing the policy of party leaders Indeed Mr. Wilson rather confidently predicts that the passage of the very meaure now being prepared hy him self and colleagues will be-the only thing needful to restore public con- fdenee and replace the Democratic party on its pedestal of political su- prem aey. But the opinion of Dir. Wilson is not shared by all other prominent men in the party. In fact there are indications that the result of Tuesdays elections will impai several Democratic leaders Of nation al reputation to counsel inc ways and means majority 10 moderation, and will warmly discourage the raei- cal legislation the free trade wing Of the party has been go strongly urg- ing. There always has been a strong Democratic faction ID the house of representatives opposed to any. considerable extension oI the free list or a sweeping reduction in tariff rates, but the oyerwhelmln 2 majority received by tbe Democratic party in the elections a year ago, effectually quieted this element np to this time. Now, however, the popular expression seems suddenly changed. The protectionist wing of the party has taken heart again, and will certainly make itself heard in council. IL has been quite gener ally believed the bill to be reported by the ways and means committee would enlarge the free list by removi g the duty on wool, lumber, iron ore, coal and salt. Already the Demo cratic opposition to this policy has become so apparent as to demon strate much truth in the famous characterization of Hancock, that declared the tariff question to be largely local issue. The main op- position of free wool comes from one locality, the objection to free lumber from another, the opposition to free coal from still another, and 60 on through the list of articles sought to be added to the free list. It Is natural, therefore, that the desire for a Democratic caucus should be expressed by mal contents, and it is this desire that is just now creating some commotion in the ranks of radical tariff reform CTS. The request for a caucus has been made by so eminent leader as Judge Culberson, chairman of the judiciary committee, and Congressman Bland, who Is cred tied with determination to fight the committee recommendation if they place all the articles enumerated above on the free list
 Ia speaking of the progress being made by the committee Congress man Whiting, of Michigan, to-day said: 1.-The committee is getting along well, and I think there is no doubt the bill wifi be ready for pre- sentation at the opening of the ses- sion in December.
 "It is my opinion there will be no delay in presenting the bill and pass ing it through congress in order that the people may have an early op- portunity to judge of its practical operation.
 "Yes, there has been a desire ex- pressed by number of Democratic congressman for caucus to discuss and approve the bill before 1t is pre- sented in December, but whether this desire will become so general as to necessitate a caucus 1 cannot say. The most important thing l think is to get tie bill before the house, and also think the result of the recent election will enloin upon us caution. While l don't agree with President Cleveland in everything, 1 do agree with the opinion credited to him on the tariff, to be of that moderate, yet firm and judicial character, that rr,ll ne.r,,,.....,a a r.- L. 4h. .......I :. Al