Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-08
TIE HOUSE CAUCUS.
II Decides That the Conisrses Should
Not Be Embarrassed.
IT GIVES NO INSTRUCTIONS.
Who Wished TO Secure Speedy
Tariff Settlement.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. August 7.-The
House Democratic caucus to-day lasted an
hour and half. and adjourned after de-
Gliding that the House conferrees on the
tariff bill should not be embarrassed by
instructions of any character from theif
Democratic associates.
This action OF the caucus was disap-
pointing to It's promoters. who had hoped
for a different result. whereby a speedy
settlement OF the matters in dispute be-
tween the two houses might be reached.
Another disappointment awaited those
present, in that Mr.. Wilson. chairman OF
the Ways and Means Committee, failed
TO inform the caucus what progress the
eonferrees had made; what propositions
had been advanced and rejected by the
representatives Of the two houses. and
when, in his opinion, a report could be
made
Nor did Speaker Crisp, who spoke at
length. throw any light on the situatloh'
for the most that he said was that an
agreement might be reached at an cary
day. while he dampened the spirits Oh
those who are pressing for an carry au-
iournment by saying that Congress misht
remain in session ninety days. but tha'
a tariff bill satisfactory to the country
would be passed before II adjourned
HOUSE MUST RECEDE.
A feature OF the proceedings was
statement made by Mr.. Boatner, OF Lou
jslana on the authority OF Senator's Miiis'
that the House must recede from its OBJ
lrpG
agree 10 them. If a passage OF a tarii
bill Is TO be expected
The characterization of this declaration
by Mr.. Cooper. of Indiana, as DUN
seemed likely for moment TO result III
an acrimonious debate Ii dld not now
ever. so result. and the entire proceedings
were characterized by a spirit OF mar
mony and good feeling.
Before the serious work OF the caucus
began telegram was read from the
clerks desk announcing that Colonel
oates had carrier Alabama by majority
Of 900. This was greeted with loud APP
plause. and put everybody in good
humor.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Mr. Holman. the chairman of the eau
Gus Committee. presided. The roll-call dls-
closed the presence of 16S members-an
unusually large number.
RESOLUTIONS FROM BYNUM.
Mr. Bynum, Of Indiana, who was the
moving spirit in securing the caucus
promptly offered the following:
"Whereas, House bill No. is6f for the
reduction of taxation and TO provide reve-
nue. for the government passed the House
on the lst day of February, and the Sen
ate on the 81 day OF July. ard was gent
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 ques-
tion; and,
Whereas, the people Of the whole
country have, through the public press
and by petition and memorials 10 both
houses of Congress. demanded speedy
decision. that their industries may, as
soon as possible. be adjusted TO the pro-
posed changes; and,
Whereas. the conferrees appointed by
the two houses 10 hold a full and free
conference over the disagr seing votes OF
the two houses have had the matters in
dispute under consideration for month
and have failed 10 come 10 any agree
ment whatever; and,
Whereas. the House of Representa-
tives. 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
Senate. freely and without restraint; and,
"Whereas. the members OF the House
of Representatives have not availed them
selves of the opportunity TO CONSIDER sald
Senate amendments, or any OF them,
which right under parliamentary law is
superior TO all others; and.
''Whereas. 1t is currently believed that
said conferrees are unable to agree: there
fore be il
Resolved That 1t is the sense Of this
caucus that the Democratic conferrees of
the House and Senate should meet in
spirit Of liberality, to the end that the
| two houses, by mutual concessions, may
agree upon a measure which Will meet
| the approval of each.
| "2 Resolved. That this caucus stands
adjourned until o'clock Friday the 10Th
Instant. at which time, in case no agree
ment has been reported. 1t shall recon-
vene to take such further action in the
premises as il may deem necessary and
| appropriate. and the chairman Of the
| House caucus il hereby authoriza d and
| directed TO Invite the Democratic senators
10 meet with the Democrats OF the House
| at the time in joint caucus"
| Mr.. Livingston offered the following as
| a substitute for Mr.. Bynum's:
Resolved. That we have unlimited con
| ndence In the House conferrees, and re-
| quest them to present tariff bill that
| will meet the pledges and principles OF
| the campaign and platform of 1872.
CHAIRMAN WILSON.
| In the discussion of these resolutions,
| Chairman Wilson, of the Ways and Means
| Committee, said he was glad OF an oppor-
| tunity to meet the Democrats in council
| i.ht hax
| the purpose He did not consider II for
| tInate Just at the time when the situation
| WAS most critical. last week and TINS
| week, that the call for caucus shouid
| be held over the House conferrees. AS
| far as Mr. Bynum's resolutions were con-
| cerned he said. they expressed exactly
| What the conferrees had been doing anG
| were now doing.
| referring TO the merits of the two mea-
| sllres. Mr. Wilson said that the House
| bin had proved 10 be acceptable TO the
| neople. while the Senate bill apparently
| had not He appreciated the necessity OF
| the Democrats passing some bill, but II
| was not desirable that that bill should
| be one which would put the Democrats
upon the defensive. He expressed the
| opjnion that If necessary more than a
| month might be well spent in reaching an
| agreement upon proper Dill. III the
| House cOnferreeS ulu tntir uuty, ne bt-
| lieyed that a bill would result, honorable
| alike 10 tn House and the Senate But
| this end. Mr. Wilson assured the caucus
| would not in his opinion be FASTENED by
| any action that would seem to advise the
| Senate conferrees that If they would hold
| ont for some definite short period OF time
! the House conferrees would agree with
| them.
| Mr. Wilson said that this was the feel
| ing of all Of the House conferrees, anC
| that they desired to carry out the pro
| cramme along the line indicated. But he
| intirnated that If the present conferref
| aid not represent the wishes OF a ma
1 iority of the Democrats OF the House
| tbey would willingly give way 10 others
| Mr.. Wilson spoke with great earnest
| ness and much feeling. and his remarks
| were greeted with applause.
| Mr.. c. X. Breckenridge. OF Arkansas, 2
| member of the Committee on Ways and
| Means. who has been present at nearly
| all of the meetings of the Democratic con-
| ferrees. assured the caucus that House
| conferrees had not set up any ultimate
-. onv one schedule, as had been reported