The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-03-01

WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 2S.-Tho
Democratic senatorial Caucus on the
tariff bill Is over, and both sides arc
claiming to have made progress for tho
interests they represent. Tho outcome
is in tho nature OF victory for tho
Democratic members Of tho finance
committee, who prepared the bill, rs it
was returned to thom without any in
structions to mako changes.
Immediately after the adjournment
OF the caucus, Senators German, Brice,
Hill, Smith, Murphy, Camden and ono
or two others who have been known to
be very much opposed to tho bill OF the
finance committee as it was prepared
by tho committee. held n consultation
and their attitude was in direct contrast
with the members OF tho finance com.
mittec.
During the three days which ended
last night, while tho tariff bill was being
considered, but one vote was taken and
tina. but n few minutes before adjourn
ment. This was on proposition to in
struct the finance committee to put iron
ore on tho dutiablc list without fixing
any rate whatever. and this was
lost by q vote OF 10 10 II. Senator
Pugh, OF Alabama, stated no would
not be bound by the action OF the eau.
Gus and reserved the right to support
his motion in the senate. Several sena-
tors declared that it would DO useless to
take any moro votes because ii senators
did not intend to abide by the action OF
tho caucus, it put an end to the power Of
caucus. Soon after this Senator Voorhees,,
chairman Of the finance committee,
moved that tho CAUCUS adjourn to meet
at tho call OF the chairman with the
understanding that the finance commit.
tee should continue its work on tho bill
and report it rs soon us possible. 1t il
said that Senator Brice passed the ad-
iournment resolution to Senator Voor-
hees with request that he would pre-
sent it.
Senator BriCe, who was one oil the
prime movers in the caucus, and who,
during its sessions, has had as much 10
say III criticism OF the bill as any other
senator, said tonight that tho result
could not be considered in the light OF
4 defeat for those who wero instru-
mental In bringing about tho caucus.
Ho believed that it had been demon
strated to them that certain schedules
in the bill did not meet the approval OF
a large number OF senators, and in n
moro impressive manner than could
have been done without the CAUCUS.
While members OF tho finance COM
mittec are generally rcticent, what they
do say and what their friends say indi
cate that they felt that the caucus has
resulted in vindication OF the bill.
It Is claimed that those who brought
about the caucus expected to secure
votes instructinc the committee to place
duty OH wool, iron ore, sugar, lumber,
salt and a number OF other articles, and
increase the duty on coal and sugar,
and yet upon tho strongest proposition
they fell short two votes.
The Republicans look upon the result
OF the caucus US ono OF distinc. advan-
tage to them and possible disaster to
tho bill.
1t ia thought that the strength which
tho opponents OF the measure have
shown indicates that the bill will
either be radically amended in tho cen
ate or that it may DO postponed to the
first Monday in December. The proba.
bilities are the Democratic opposition
may bavery much like that In tho house,
making q great show now in order
TO secure concessions, but in the end
will melt away and the bill will pass.
ADvALoREM DUTIES.
Senators Hill, Brico, White, CafTrcy
and German were among those present
during the greater part OF the caucus,
aud 1t Is understood that they expressed
themselves quite fully as to the changes
they desire. These changes appeared
10 DO many and varied.
The question Of the method of low.
ing duty was discussed, and the contest
was between those who favored specific
and those advocating advalorem duties.
There was quite strong disposition
manifest among tho northern and east
ern senators to attack the system upon
which the senate bill has been framed,
which changes almostevcry schedule go
as to provide for advalorem duties.
Senator Hill led tho opposition TO the
system, and while no expressed the
opinion that ad Yalorem duties were
feasible in some cases, he contenJed
that general adoption OF this system
in opposition 10 the specific system
would provo delusivc aud be tho means
OF encouraging c good deal OF fraud in
the collection OF tho revenues. lie said
also that the people most interested in
tho tariff We're generally opposed TO this
sys.cm-not only for these reasons but
because Of the uncertainties and in,ri-
cac.es which it involved.
Senator Mills conteuded for the ad
valorcm System as the mos. equitable
and just to oil concerned. lie declared