The herald., 1894-03-01
DEMOCRATIC TARIFF CAUCUS,
Adjourned Without Instruc-
tiOns tor Changes.
A Victory for the Members of the
Finance Committee
Republicans Look Upon the Result as
an Advantage to Them and Pos
slblo Disaator to tho
Wilson Bill.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
WAsHINaroN, Feb. 2S.-The Demo-
cratic special caucus on the tariff bill is
over and both sides are claiming to have
made progress for the interests they
represented. The outcome is in the ma
ture Of a victory for the Democratic
members of the finance committee who
prepared the bill, and it is returned to
them without any instructions to make
changes.
Immediately after the adjournment Of
the caucus Senators German, Brice,
Hill, Smith. Murphy, Camden and one
or two others who have been known TO
be very much opposed to the bill OF the
finance committee, held a consultation
and their attitude is in direct contract
with the members OF the finance COM
mittee. When Senator Pugh OF Ala
bama stated he would not be bound
by the action of the eau
Gus several senators at once
declared it would be useless to take any
more votes. Opinion seems to be divided
as TO whether the finance committee
will now make any changes. The i'm
preston is that some changes OF a minor
nature will be made, as well as some
concessions granted where demands
have been apparently just, and where
the changes will not neceEsitate other
changes in the bill. 1t is expected the
bill will now be disposed OF as soon as
possible. One member Of the committee
said: ave expect the bill will be re-
ported to The full committee by Satur-
day, and efforts will be made to get it
into the senate early next week"
The Republicans look upon the result
OF the caucus as one of distinct sdvan-
tage to them and possible disaster to
the bill. 1t is thought the strength
which the opponents1o OF the bill have
shown indicates thR1 the bill will be
modified in the senate, or it may be
postponed to the first Monday in De-
cember. The probabilities are the OPP
position may be very much like that in
the house, making great show to secure
concessions, but in the end will melt
away and the bill be passed.
This caucus was in session this morn
ing till it was time for the senate to go
into session, without the settling of sny
of the questions at issue, or reaching a
vote on any point. White OF California
occupied most of the morning session
with discussion Of the fr1it and wine
schedules. He asked only few changes,
which, he said, we're necessary.
Brice attacked the methods of the
finance committee in shaping the bill.
The conference of the Democratic
senators, while the senate was in ses-
aion, was devoted to the hearing OF
statements from eenRtors who desire
changes from the bill. Senators Hill,
Brice, White, Cafery and German were
among those present, and it ia under
stood they expressed themselves quito
fully ss to the changes they desire. The
question OF the method of levying duties
was discussed and there was a contest
between those who favored specific and
those who advocated ad valorem
duties. Senator Hill led the
opposition to the system of sd
vaiorem duties. Senator Mills con-
tended for the sd valorem system.
The caucus adjourned at AS o'clock.
The only vote taken Was on the propo-
aition to put a tax on iron ore. which
was lost by majority of two votes.
Senator Pugh announced that he
would not be bound by the action of the
caucus on the proposition. By general
consent the caucus concluded to re-
commit the bill to the finance commit
tee without instructions, except 80 far
rs the wishes of the various senators
expressed in the caucus may be consid-
cred as such.
The members of the ways and means
committee of the house are watching
with the keenest interest the action of
the senatorial caucus on the tariff bill.
The tendency to put the Wilson bill
under fire is watched for the ultimate
effect it will have on the revision of the
tariff. The statement made in the SEN
atorial caucus that the Wilson
bill was framed without any con-
suitstion with President Cleveland,
or Secretary Carlisle, ia denied by mem
bers of the committee. An Associated
Press representative talked today with
all the Democratic members of the COM
nittee in the city. 1t disclosed that
they are not apprehensive that the
senate's action will materially change
the policy and schedules of the Wilson
bill.