Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-08-14

WASHINGTON. August l3.-An hour
before 10 o'clock, the time set for she
Democratic House caucus, members be-
gan 10 arrive At the capitol asd hasty
consultations we're az once held on the
course to be pursued. Speaker Crisp
was joined In the private Office by
Chairman Wilson aud Representatives
Turner, McMiIlin and Montgomery,
making the full membership Of the
House Democratic conference con-
mittee. Representative Breckenridge,
OF Arkan sas, an advisory member Of
the conference. was also present. IL
was final consultation on the Hoe OF
action To be presented by the House
leaders 10 the caucus. The meeting
lasted until 1t was time for the ,csucns
to convene.
In the meantime there was scene OK
animation ON the floor of the House.
Representatives Tracy, Straus, Warner
and others passed among their associ-
ates and stiflened up the sentiment OF
loyalty 10 the conferees. IL was appar-
emily uphill work, however. as the cur
rent of feeling among the rank and ME
OF members seemed to be setting strong
~ In favor OF accepting the Senate Dill
without further delay.
Alto o'clock Speaker Crisp and all
the conferees filed out OF the Speakers
office and took seats in q body 10 the
forward part OF the Democratic side.
There was an omInous slleEce as they
came in. Al this time 1853 Democrats
were on the floor. AS Mr.. Wilson
passed through the corridor 10 the
House he was asked as To the result Of
the conference In the Speakers room,
but answered, 81 cannot make II known
yet"
Chairman Holman called the caucus
TO order promptly and the call for the
meating was read The roll call which
followed took some time, and the mem
bers shifted uneasily for the decisive ac-
ton ahead.
CHAIRMAN WILSON TOOK
the floor Immediately after the roll call
aud hogan a stateme NJ OF the situation.
lfe spoke ca!.lIy Aud dispasssanateiy
and received the closest attention.
Members left their seats aud crowded
eagerly about him, listening intently
10 every word. IL Ia seldom that such
eager interest has been shown at a eau
Gus. Mr.. Wilson began with recital
OF the difficulties that have been en-
countered. lie went over each stage Of
the situation with much detail. He
said that each step had been pursued
with an ardent desire TO support with
honor the desires Of the House and TO
resist what was regarded as the unrea'
sonable demands Of the Senate.
Mr. Wilson did not confine himself TO
generalization. He took up the con-
tested schedules. particularly sugar,
coal and iron ore, aud reviewed the DIFF
ference on these Items. He took up
each proposition on sugar and spoke or
the vast profits 10 the sugar trust which
would result from many Of these propo-
sitlons. He did not indulge Ia the sharp
criticism that was expected on tho
motives OF the Senate conferrees.
Vile Mr.. Wilson was speaking the
word was passed around among mem
bers that the conference 10 the SPEAK
er's room had resulted In decisive action
and that Speaker Crisp himself would
the Senate bill. AT first tho informa-
ton was doubted, but as member after
member heard IL aud made inquiry the
opinion became general among the best
Informed men 10 the House that the re-
port was correct, although ~ could not
be positively verified from Mr.. Crisp or
the conferees.
Mr.. Wilson spoke OF the fight made
by the House conierees for specific
duty on sugar, on the ground that
under an ad yalorem system II would
be impossible 10 tell. On account OF the
invoice methods. the exact advantage
which would
ACCRUE TO THE SUGAR Trust.
, He made the remarkable statement
that he had been credibly Informed
and believed that the Sugar Trust hae.
anticipating the enactment OF the sugar
SCHEDULE, purchased sllf,000,00 900
worth of raw sugar. II this was trne,
he said, tbe profits accrulng TO the
trust from this Investment In advance
OF the enactment OF the Senate sched-
ue would be at least $4,000, 600. Mr..
Wilson also pointed out az length the
embarrassment attending the efforts ~
adjust the coal and iron schedules.
"The great battle" said. Mr.. Wilson.
s.is between the American people and
the Sugar Trust II Is battle la
which the trust has taken the people
by the throat, ana IL will never end
until we throw of the grip" There
was enthusiastic applause at this. lie
proceeded to state that the House con-
ierees had been willing 10 coneede
almost everything except these vital
items of sugar. iron and coal; that the
Senate conferees had also seemed VIII
ilng TO concede much and held much
the same views, but were apparently
dominated by the knowledge that II
they conceded what they themselves
were willing TO concede, the bill could
not pass, and the agreement would be
useless.
Mr.. Wilson concluded By saying that
he had now become satisfied IL was
either the Senate bill or no legislation.
Mr.. Wilson closed at 1905 o'clock,
having talked just an hour. IL was IN
derstood, however, that Mr.. Wilson had
not Welded the floor permanently, but
would resume later, after his confer
ence associates, Messrs. MONTGOMERY.
McMlllln and Turner, had corrooorated
his statements. Mr.. Montgomery tnsn
took the floor aud subsisntiated wnss
Mr.. Wilson had said as TO the detsiis Oh
the conference.
SPEAKER CRISP FOLLOWED
Mr.. MONTGOMERY. He spoke with much
snirtt and earnestness aud soon the cas-