Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-03-01
TO Save The PARTY
Question for Democratic
Senator's to Decide

So Said Mr.. Brice In a Vigorous
Speech ut the Tariff Caucus-Other
Interests Must lie Considered Be-
sides Those in the South-The Bill
May Be Reported Back to the
Committee-Sug Men Persistent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s-The democratic
senatorial caucus on the tariff bill, which
adjourned last night was rich in talk,
but poor in action, and the mem bers are
again in session to-day struggling to reach
a final agreement Some plain and rather
emphatic English was spoken, but no ac-
tion was taken on an item in the DILL
This morning a member of the hnance
committee said it was hoped that now
that the speeches had been made all
round, action would follow and some
thing definite be accomplished before
another day had closed. 1t was thought
by this senator that the conference would
send the bill back to the committee with
inetructions to amend in certain particu-
lars as the result of the conference on dis
puted schedules. Under this plan the
ueUdllS Oh Lne arrangement VI the ChahSo9
agreed upon would be left to the finance
committee and two or three days would
elapse before the corrected bill could be
laid before the full committee on finance.
1t is doubtful however, if the caucus can
reach any conclusion before tomorrow or
Friday.
Sugar was not the only topic command
ing attention yesterday, although much
depends upon the action taken on that
schedule. The committee offered the
caucus what might be called flat rate
on sugar of one cent pound, based upon
pure sacch arine matter. This would fix
the duty on sugar testing but so degrees
at $40 of cent, and would therefore
show the refner very slight favoritism.
The sugar men believe, however, that
they will be able to get the one eighth
clear they have claimed, and some go so
far as to claim quarter of cent. 1t is
understood that the majority of the dem
ocratic mem bers of the finance committe
expect to see refined sugar get the extra
one-eighth for which the friends of sugar
have been contending.
No expression as to how senators stood
was heard in the caucus sufficient to in
dictate what the result will be. There ap-
pears to be no further uncertainty AS to
coal and it is conceded that fifty cents a
ton will be given it.
The action of the caucus shows that
that body is possessedl of a changeable
mood. Up to within the last half hour
there seemed to be spirit of concession
abroad, but after that time the committee
and its followers stood out more firmly
for the bill as laid before the caucus.
1t is understood, n scene somewhat sem
sational in it's features took place dur
ing the morning session. Monday, Sen
ator White, of louisiana, made n very
vigorous speech while ON the subject of
sugar in which he bitterly denounced
the attitude of some A.s ltors. NO reply
was made until ye Fay, when it is
said, two or three senators replied in Ian
guage that was decidedly ptrs nal and
unpleasant 1t is also said that Mr..
White has declared that he would not
send his resignation as senator to the
governor OF Louisiana until he knew
what was to be done with sugar.
Senator Brice, of Ohio, who was the
prime mover in calling the caucus, made
n forcible and vigorous speech. lie Is
said to have criticized the wisdom that
placed the construction of the tariff bill
in the hands of three senators, whose
status as subcommittee had been at
tackled on the floor of the senate and gon'
unchallenged, and who were not, appar
emily, in sympathy with any OF the
manufacturing centres of the coun
ry which were most affected by
the bill. 1t was evident, he said, that
the party was rent by dissensions and the
question for the conference to decide il
connection with the tariff bill was, what
should be done to save the democratic
party. "If," said Mr.. Brice, you arr
going to frame this bill in accordanc c'
with the platform of the democratic part.
as adopted at Chicago that Is one thing
If, on the other hand, you intend to fran
it on the line of the platform that was no
adopted, an entirely different view of tn
case Is given US. But II you intend t
frame it so that you protect the sugar In
terests alone, at the expense OF the grea
industries of the north, and you intend t
ignore them entirely, then l propose, TO
one. to have something to say"
Mr.. Brice, it is understood, called atten
tion to the fact that there must be NOR
done than to merely conciliate the suga
senators whose constituents would be In
iured by prospective legislation, and tina
very important question for democrat
to consider was what they should do t.
keep in the party the great states OF NeE
York, New Jersey and Maryland, whicl
were full of industries that, he asserted
the bill sought to cripple. There coul'
also be in his state, Mr.. Brice added, l
this congress acted with wisdom, ter
doubtful congressional al districts. The grea
states of Ohio, New York and New Jersey
with their entation in congress, ag-
gregating many times more than any
southern delegation, should not be ig-
nored.
Mr. Brice spoke freely and his remarks
had much weight with the senator's He
is counted as one Of the six "conserva-
tives," in whose hands the fate of the bill
appears to rest. These men are Senators
Brice, Hill, Smith, Murphy, White Na)
and Caffery.
Al. o. W. in New England.