Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-08-16

before 10 o'clock, the time set for the
House caucus, members began to arrive
at the Capitol and hasty consultations
were held on the course to be pursued.
Speaker Crisp was joined in his private
office by Chairman Wilson and Repre-
sentatives Turner, McAlillin and Mont
gonicry, making the full membership of
the House Democratic conference com
mittee.
Representative Breckenridge of Ar
kansas, an advisory member of the con-
ference committee, was also present. 1t
was final consultation on the line of
action 10 be presented by the House
leaders to the caucus. The meeting lasted
until 1t was time for the caucus to con-
vene,
In the meantime there was scene of
animation on the floor of the House.
Representatives Tracey, St;aus, Warner
and others passed among their associates
and stiffened up the sentiment of loyalty
to the conferees. II was apparently
uphill work, however, as the current
Of feeling among the rank and file Of
members seemed to be setting strongly
in favor of accepting the Senate bill
without further delay.
CHAIRMAN WILSON'S STATEMENT.
AT 10 o'clock Speaker Crisp and all
the conferees filed out Of the Speakers
office and took seats in a body in the
forward part Of the Democratic side
Chairman Wilson took the floor ilnmedi-
ately after the roll-cal and began Il
statement of the situation. He spoke
calmly and dispaSsionately and received
the closest attention. Members left
their seats and crowded eagerly at him,
listening intently to every word. IL is
seldom that such eager interest had been
shown ut q caucus.
Mr.. Wilson began with a recital of
the difficulties that have been encoun-
tered. He 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 desire of the House Of Representa-
tives and to resist what was regarded as
the unreasonable demands of the Senate.
MIR. Wilson did not coutine himself to
generalization. He took up the contested
schedules, particularly sugar, coal and
iron ore, and reviewed the differences in
conference on these man items. He
took up each proposition on sugar and
spoke of the vast profits of the Sugar
Trust which would result from many
of these propositions. lie did not in.
dulge in the sharp criticism that was
expected on the motives of the Senate
conferees.
RUMoRs OF cRIsP's SURRENDER.
While Mr.. Wilson was speaking the
word was passed around among mem,
bers that the conferencein the Speakers
room had resulted in decisive action and
that Speaker Crisp himself would move
that the House reCede and accept the
Senate bill. AT first the Information
was so startling that it was doubted
but as member after member heard i
and made inquiry, the opinion becam,
general among the best informed men ii
the House that the report was correct
although it could not be positively
verified from Mr.. Crisp or the conforees
Mr.. Wilson spoke of the fight made
by the House conferees for a specific
duty on sugar, on the ground that unde
an ad valorem system it would be impos
sible to tell, on account Of the invoice
methods, the exact advantage which
-SGld accrue To the Sugar Trust.
TIE PEOPLE AND TIE TRUST.
"lhe great battle" said Mr. Wilson
warming up to his subject, ais between
the American people and the Suua
Trust. 1t is battle ia which the trus
has taken the people by the throat, am
it will never end until we throw of Ii
grip"
There was enthusiastic applause 4
this. He proceeded to state that tn
House confcrees had been willing t
concedo almost everything eXcept Ties
vital items Of su-ar, iron ana coal: tia
the Senate contGrccs had also SCENE
willing to conCGdG much and hcllmuc
the same views, but were apparent
dominated by the knowledge tA4t
they conceded what they tlnmsrivt
were willing TO CuucedG the bill cOGi
not pass and the agreement would |
useless. ...-.. ..... ..
SENATE HELL OF NOTHING.
Mr.. Wilson concluded by saying tn
he had now become satisfied It Va
either "thc Senate bill or no legislation
Mr.. Wilson closed at ll.0o o'clyc
y having talked just one hour.
II was understood, however, that NJ
Wilson had not yielded the floor pc
manently, but would resume later NJ
Montgomery then took the floor III
substahtatcd what Mr.. Wilson had 81
as to the details Of the conference.
CRISP AGREES WITH WILSON.
Speaker Crisp followed Mr.. Nor
gomery. He spoke with much spIl
and carncstncss, and soon the caUc
was in Il tumult Of enthusiasm, RON
after round Of applause greeting /
utterauccs, lie spoke Of the critic
condition and Of the apparent need
accept the Senate bill, then If need
10 introduce separate bills fJr free sugi
free iron and free coal