The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-06
To Consider Tariff Bill Ended Salts.
factoriIy 10 Chairman Wilson.
SPEECH MADE BY HIM IN 1884
Brought Out to Aid General Wheeler's
Argument - Friends Of the Admin
istration Tried to Get I'm Plan for
Duty on Sugar, but Were Shut or.

VdutuS ~ w tnt nan VI thC hotoo Va
representatives last night to consider the
Wilson tariff bill. Judge Holman was
chairman and Mr.. Anderson secretary. 1t
was estimated that there were l47 Demo-
Gratis in the house, and caucus quorum
Is l0s As soon ms the roll had been called,
on motion it was decided to limit the
speeches to five minutes each.
General Wheeler, who was one OF the
prime movers ir the caucus project. took
the floor and made vigorous speech
against the proposition to place coal and
iron ore on the free list.
During General Wheeler's remarks he
quoted from a speech made by Hon. Will
lam l.. Wilson on the Morrison bill on
May 5, 1854 General Wheeler said the
principles which should govern were IL
lustrated by the speech which Mr.. Wilson
made'then. The quotation was as fol-
lows:
Wilson's Views In 'Ss.
GAS have said, / favor q bill for the
reduction of taxes. Where this bill de-
parts from its general scheme of merely
reducing taxes and seeks to enlarge the
free list it bears unevenly, and, as be-
lieve, unjustly, upon some of the inter-
ests Of my own state. To take any one
great interest and transfer it suddenly To
the free list is to hold it tributary to all
the rest, while depriving it of any share
in the common protection.
"Whatever reduction is made should be
made so gradually as not to wreck, TO dis
turb or alarm any of our great industries,
and this return 20 a peace tariff ought
to be made by even progress and on
scale Of justice to all. This bill would
permit reciprocal free coal with Canada,
a provision / think little apt to be car
ried out, and free coal from England.
Coal is not free, 80 far as the foreign and
coastwise trade is concerned, having
otherwise duty of - cents per ton, which
is less than 20 per cent ad valorem, under
tariff whose general average is over 40
per cent
''Shoufd we proceed to the considerar
tion of this bill by sections? l shall pre-
sent to the committee such facts and fig
ures as will bear fully upon this question,
and / have every nfidence-indeed, /
may add, have every assurance that can
now be given--that this inequality and
discrimination will be corrected, and the
interests of my own state share in the
general fortune of ALL"
Crisp's Appeal.
Speaker Crisp followed. He offered q
resolution declaring that it was the duty
OF every Democrat TO vote for the consid-
Grafton Of the tariff bill, and also that it
was the duty of all Democrats to attend
the sessions of the house and maintain a
quorum until the tariff bill is disposed of.
In ringing speech the speaker took oc-
casion to sharply reprimand Democrats
who had been responsible for the inaction
of the house during the past three days.
He said that the proper way to act for
those who were dissatisfied would be to
take the bill up and have it considered.
They would be given an opportunity to
offer their amendments, and these amend
ment, under the terms Of the resolution
of the committee on rules, could be voted
upon. The majority could decide. No
member would lose any of his rights, and
1t would be to the honor and credit OF the
party TO go forward and legislate.
The party had been given commission
from the people and it was his duty to
carry it out. The spectacle of the past
three days had been disgrace to the
large Democratic majority in the house,
and he sincerely hoped that it was not to
be repeated
The words of the speaker were loudly
cheered.
General SiclSles of New York, Mr..
Sperry of Connecticut and Mr. Sibley of
Pennsylvania opposed Speaker Crisp's
resolution, and it was supported by
Nessrs. Outhwaite, Dewitt, Warner and
Robertson of Kentucky, the latter creat-
ing great surprise, because for two days he
acted against the Democrats in the house
and is opposed to free sugar.
Crisp's Resolution Adopted.
After further debate the Crisp resolu.
tion was adopted without division. 1t
is as follows:
Resolved, That Il is the sense Of this caucus
that IL is the duty of every Democratic MEM
Der of the house 90 vote for the pending reso-
luton providing for the consideration of the
tariff bill in order that the house may have
an opportunity to redeem the pledges of the
party respecting tariff reform.
Resolved. Further. tha: II is the duty of
every Democratic mem Der OF the house To at
tend its daily session, and we hereby express
the opinion that these members who are alb
sent oweit to tho party and those of us who are
here 20 Immediately return in order that
pressing public business may be attended TO.
Another resolution was adopted that
it is the sense OF the caucus that, if
proposition was reported from the COM
mittee. two days additional should be
given for debate
Mr.. Harter and Mr.. Robertson intro
duced amendments providing for duty
on sugar, but before vote was had Mr..
Black moved an adjournment, which was
carried with rush. After adjournment
Chairman Wilson said the caucus was en-
A. -. 4