Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-05-10

Senators attended the Democratic Seaa-
torial caucus, this afternoon. The six
absentees- Messrs. Mills, Butler, Murphy,
Lindsay, Irby and Gibson were not
aware Of the call for the caucus, and
their absence was consequently insig-
niticant. A number of speeches were
made and vote Of confidence in the
finance committee taken. Senator's were
not bound by the action of the confer
ence, but by an almost unanimous vote
they were requested to offer no amend
ments to the pending Tariff bill, and in
dorse those submitted by the finance
committee.
THE SUGAR SCHEDULE OF ARKANSAS.
Senator Jones of Arkansas, chairman
of the subcommittee, was the first
speaker. He said the committee had
decided upon a number Of amendments,
and, in answer to a question as to how
many, replied great number. Mr..
Jones did not go into details concerning
these amendments, assuring Senators
that the concessions were not great, and
that the rates throughout the bill would
be greatly less than those in the present
law. No statement was made concern-
ing the amount Of revenue expected 10
be raised.
Mr.. Jones announced the sugar sched-
ule that had been agreed upon, and il
corresponds exactly with that published
heretofore in these dispatches-40 per
cent ad yalorem on all sugars, both raw
and refined, with one.eighth of cent
in addition on refined sugars. A dis
eliminating duty Of one-tenth Of cent
on refined sugar is allowed against
sugars Of this kind from countries that
pay an export bounty. 1t was also
agreed that the bounty should continue
to be paid this year, the date at which
the sugar schedule is TO take effect being
changed from July 1st to January LIST,
1895.
THE INCOME TAX.
Mr.. Jones discussed the income tax at
some length, stating that the objection
able features had been taken from the
measure. Its operation was limited to
term of five years, although Mr.. Vest
urged six years. The rate remains the
same and the limit of exemption is I'M
touched. Mr.. Jones further stated that
the inquisitorial features had been elm
mated entirely, and the tax placed on
corporations directly, instead Of the
dividends of such corporations after
passing into the hands of individuals.
There had been many rough places
found in this part Of the bill Mr.. Jones
said, but the committee believed it had
been able to smooth it up, so that serious
objection could not be offered.
IL FAVOR OF HARMONY.
Mr.. German spoke in favor Of the
bill and of harmony in the party. He
declared that the bill, as it came from
the House, was not satisfactory, and
that it had been necessary to make a
number Of changes. He did not take
kindly to the income tax feature; in
fact, be was opposed to it. He believed
it to be mistake, and thought it would
cause trouble and hurt the party in the
Northern States. SILL, Mr.. German
said, the South and West insisted upon
il. and he was compelled to yield his
judgment and accept the tax with the
five-year limitation.
Mr.. Vest of the committee, spoke
briefly in explanation Of the changes
made in the income tax.
Mr.. Villas and Mr.. Palmer followed in
speeches, the text of which was ha--
mony and unity. Mr.. Villas declared
that, while he did not like the income
tax idea at all, he would support the
bill. .........|
Mr.. M'PHERsoS's REMARKS.
The burden of the remarks Of Mr..
Mcpherson was the sugar tax. II was
strange thing, he said, that the income
tax and the sugar tax should both be
kept in the bill. The keeping Of the
sugar tax in the bill would, he argued
place the party open to the charge OF
fayoring the Sugar Trust and compel il
to be in the defensive all the time. liz
thought that sugar should be on the free
list, and while he srtenuously opposed
the concessions made to the sugar men
by the committee, Mr.. Mcpherson con
cluded by saying that he would abide
by the decision Of the majority and vote
for the bill.
Mir. Cafrey misunderstood the purpor
OF the New Jersey Senator's closing
remark, and asked him a question tina
caused Mr.. Mcpherson 10 reIterate anc
emphasize his loyalty to the bill.
Mr.. Morgan had few words TO sal
concerning the sugar duty and tht
Sugar Trust, and was followed by Mr.
Coke, who opposed the concessions tina
had been granted the Northern men
He intimated in parliamentary term
that the committee had been intimidated
and while he said he felt free TO ente
an emphatic protest in party caucus
Mr.. Coke declared his intention Of yot
ing for the bill.
A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.
Then it was that Mr.. German left tn
chair and submitted to the caucus
resolution which was in nature of
vote Of confidence, resolution whicl
one Senator said afterwards was SO ful
Of loopholes that almost anything coul
be done with it. In substance III
whereas set forth that the conference
committee had made report Of certai
desirable changes, and that the necessit
existed for the prompt passage of tarii
bill. Therefore, il was resolved that i
the conduct Of the bill in the Senat
Democratic Senators be requested nc
propose any amendments except sue
IS are offered by the finance committe,
Mr. Hill then took the floor and mad
characteristic speech. He denounce
he compromise and said that the incom
tax was not necessary, defying any on
10 show that it was needed in the bill fc
revenue.
Mr.. Smith of New Jersey, the onl
other conservative" who it was though
might follow Hill, voted with 80 Other
against Hill in favor Of the harmon
resolution offered by German, althoug
he explained that in doing so he wa
only Requesting" las the resolutio
read) and not directing himself, bu
other Senators 10 submit their amend
ments to the finance committeeman.
course he and every other Senator pre-
ent understood that this was just tn
formal way of stating that the con