The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-08
DETAILS OF THE CAUCUS.
MIR. Bynuni's Whereases and ResOlu-
tiOn and the Speeches.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7.-Chairman Viii
son and his associate House tariff conferees
scored victory to-day when the House
Democratic caucus, called with a view of
terminating the tariff struggle by instruct
ing advising the House confereeS, adj
journed without taking any action. The
effect of this was to leave the House con-
ferees to proceed as they saw best, and
to show conspicuously that the effort to
advise them had failed. The friends of Mr..
Wilson found that they had the caucus
50 we'll In hand that they could have passed
the Livingston resolution expressing conf
dence, but there was no desire on the part
of the supporters of the conferees to take
this course. Speaker Crisp and Chairman
Wilson expressed themselves as satisfied
with this conclusion, and among the rank
and file of the House the sentiment was
general that the movement inaugurated to
bring about an acceptance of the Senate
bill had resulted in materially strengthen
ing the opposition to the Senate bill.
The caucus was called to order by Chair
man Holman. The roll call disclosed the
presence of 166 members. Speaker Crisp
sat among the members on the floor of
the House. Near him was Chairman Will
son and Representative McMilln, Messrs.
Bynum and Springer. who had urged the
caucus They were in conference through
out the meeting. BY an error the clerk
read Mr.. Springers name at two different
stages of the roll call and great laughter
was occasioned thereby. Enthusiasm was
aroused by the reading of a telegram an
nouncing the result of the Alabama cleo
tions. Then Mr.. Bynum offered the follow
ing resolutions:
Whereas, House bill No. 1864 for the
reduction of taxation and to provide rev.
enue for the government, passed the House
on Feb. and the Senate on the Sd of July,
and was sent to conference on the 7th day
of July last; and,
Whereas, The commercial interests of
the country have been held in suspense
awaiting a final settlement of the question:
Whereas, The people of the whole coun-
try have through the public press and by
petitions and memorials to both houses Of
Congress, demanded speedy decision, that
the indus tries OF the country may as soon
as possible be adjusted to the proposed
changes; and,
Whereas, The conferees appointed by
the two houses to hold a full and free
conference over the disagreeing votes OF
the two houses have had the matters in
dispute under consideration for one month
and have failed to come no any agreement
Whereas, The House of Representatives.
which, under the Constitution of the United
States, is clothed with the exclusive power
to originate bills raising revenue, and is
therefore, clothed with the right to pass
upon all amendments proposed by the SEN
Whereas. The members of the House
OF Representatives have not availed them
selves of an opportunity to consider said
Senate amendments. or any of them. which
right under parliamentary law is superior
to all Others and
Whereas, 1t is currently believed that
said conferees are unable to agree, there
Resolved, First, that it is the sense
of this caucus that the Democratic con-
ferees of the House and the Senate should
meet in spirit of liberalty, to the end
that the two houses, by mutual conces-
sions may agree upon a measure which
will meet with the approval of each. Sec
ond. that this caucus stands adjourned
until o'clock p. m. Friday, the 10th inst.
at which time, in case no agreement has
been reached, it shall reconvene to take
such further action in the premises as Ii
me cbsirm9n of tbs Honss pr br; ana
thoriZed and directed to invite the Demo-
cratic Senators 10 meet with the Demo-
Gratis of the House at that time in joint
caucus"
BYNUM AND WILSON SPEAK.
In his explanatory statement, which was
a brief one, Mr.. Bynum said that although
there had been a clamor from a part of
the press for the House bill he believed
that the overwhelming sentiment of the
country was for the best possible bill that
could be agreed upon. For himself he pre-
ferred the Senate bill to no BILL and as he
interpreted the wish of the party 1t was
for a tariff bill and prompt action. He had
no sympathy with the stand taken by
some members that it would be better
10 retain the Mckinley bill than substi-
tute the Senate bill for the House measure
When Chairman Wilson. OF the ways and
means committee, rose he was greeted
with enthusiastic applause. In his quiet way
he said he was glad to meet with his party
| colleagues, although he would not have
| selected this particular time for a caucus.
he commented upon IT as an unfortunate