The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-05
Abandonment of the ''Popguno Bills
Advocated by Voorhees, and Cloture
Proposed by Daniel.
HOBBIES AIRED AT A CAUCUS
MEETING OF THE SENATE FINANCE
COMMITTEE ALSO FRUITLEss.
Resolutions Presented to Congress
Yesterday-Six Measures Intro
duced by senator PETER.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-The Democrats
of the Senate spent about three hours in
caucus to-day and then adjourned. without
taking action, to meet again Thursday
next after the adjournment of the Senate.
The entire time was devoted to a dis
cussion of the situation and to the wisest
course of action for the Democratic party
during the present session of Congress.
There were numerous speeches. but they
were generally devoid of features of
especial interest. To quote the language of
one who was present, almost every Senator
present talked during the caucus and each
advocated his own hobby. This consumed
the entire time and opportunity was
given for action. AS a matter Of fact, when
the caucus adjourned at O'Clock, there
were not to exceed twenty members pres
ent, not enough to decide upon a course in
a way that would be binding IL those pres
ent had been so disposed. Hence an ad-
journment was taken without action and the
steering committee went into session.
The entire discussion was based upon
series of resolutions presented by Senator
Daniel, of Virginia, in the shape of sug-
gestions, declaring for a cloture, commit
ting the party to an abandonment of all
efforts to amend the tariff law and to an
effort to reform the currency in accordance
with the suggestions in the Presidents
message The resolutions opened wide
range of debate in which many Senators
participated. The principal speeches weia
made by Senators Voorhees,, Harris, Vest,
Morgan, Pugh and Ransom. Senator Voor-
hees opened the talk with suggestion to
the effect that the wisest course lay in the
abandonment Of any effort to pass the free
raw material bills $50 called) because of
the evident determination of the Repub-
licans to prevent action. Senator Vest, in
his speech showed inclination towards
cloture contending that If the Democrats
did not adopt it, the Republicans would
when they should come into power. Senator
Morgan made probably the longest speech
of the session in presenting a plea for
liberal allowance of time for consideration
of the Nicaragua canal bill.
While no action on any question was
taken the prevailing sentiment after the
close of the caucus seemed to be that the
ultimate decision of the caucus would be
adverse to the entire series of propositions
presented by Senator Daniel The senti-
ment favorable to cloture seemed quite
evenly divided, and there are reasons for
believing that it might be agreed on. but
for the fact that the Democratic party will
circumstance which led some to advise
against the change who had heretofore been
considered favorable to 1t. There was also
| a strong element present favorable to the
passage of the sugar bill as reported by
the finance committee, striking out all diff
ferentials on sugar and leaving a straight
revenue duty of 40 per cent. ad valorem,
but it was pointed out that if the attempt
should be made in this direction 1t would
bring up the entire tariff question.
The Senate committee on finance was in
session for an hour to-day, but did not
agree to any course of action on any OF the
more important financial or tariff bills be-
fore the Senate. The meeting was largely
informal and was devoted In the main TO
an exchange of views upon the free raw
material bills and the Presidents currency
recommendation Some or Senator PEI
fer's financial bills were taken up and ad-
verse report unanimously agreed upon. 1t
is understood that there was very free
discussion of the sugar tarin bill. Inc
Democratic members expressed desire to
take the bill up in the Senate for consfd-
Grafton but while not making specinc OBJ
lection to the sugar bill, the Republican
members of the committee intimated that
the majority of the Republican Senators
would stand against any piecemeal amend
ments of the tariff at present. Reference
was also made to the free-alcohol BILL with
a like result 1t appears that the meeting
was more important for what 1t failed TO
accomplish than for what 1T did accomplish