St. Paul daily globe., 1894-08-18
REPUBLICANS CAUCUS.
They Decide to Oppose ANY Fur
ther Tariff Legislation.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 17.-The Repub-
llcan senators decided to hold caucus
after the adjournment of the senate
today TO consider the question OF party
action with reference 10 the appoint
ment of member OF the finance COM
mittee, and OF the policy to he pursued
generally with reference to the free
sugar bill and other supplemental bills.
Before gUing into caucus there was
great deal of discussion as TO what
course the Republicans should pursue.
Among number of them there was
disposition to enter the fight and
name some other Democrat in place
of MIR. White for membership on the
finance committee. 1t was understood
that Senator Murphy WAS to be pushed
by some of the conservative senators.
Most of the free silver Republicans eX-
pressed themselves as against inter-
fering with the Democrats in making
up committees, and also said they would
not want TO see an antI-Silver man
selected for the place, aud would 10
doubt oppose Murphy for this reason.
1t Is probable, however, that the Re-
publicanS Will take decided ground
against any further legislation at this
tine. and try 10 prevent filling the
vacancy during this session. 1t is be-
lieyed mat before all important vote
can be taken the quorum Will have dis
appeared.
The caucus lasted until 8 O'Clock,
when it adjourned without having ac-
cOmpiiShed great deal. Senator Aid
rich brought up the question of Repub-
lIcan interference with the selection of
Democrat on the finance committee.
when Senator Pettigrew stated that
there was 10 need of discussing the
question, as there were eight RepUbli-
cans who would not agree to it. as it
would result in breaking up all party
discipline in the senate. That matter
was then dropped. As to taking action
on the filling of the vacancy, the general
feeling was that no party action was
necessary. The resolution of Senator
Murphy was discussed, and it was de-
clded that the Republicans would sup
port it in modified form which would
not specify the tariff legislation, but
would Stale that in view of the fact
that the end of the session was so near
that 1t is lmpractlcale To attempt to pass
any contested legislation during the
remainder Of the session, and that it is
the desire of congress to
Adjourn as Soon as Possible
1t is probable that if vote can be
had upon this resolution that it would
secure enough Democratic votes to pass.
The Republicans claim that any spe-
cial tariff bill TO which there is an ob.
lection will be debated until it Is de-
teated by lack of a quorum, and that it
is useless to make any attempt to secure
the passage Of any of those now before
the senate. Some of the Republican
senators present expressed the opinion
that III view of the position taken by
Senator Hill OH the appointment to fill
the finance committee vacancy it would
be proper return for the Republican
senators TO support any resolution that
he may offer tomorrow in regard to the
appointment. thinking it probable that
ne might desire to substitute the
name of some other senator for that of
Mr.. White. When Mr.. Hill was ap-
priSed of this action he said he should
not attempt TO substitute some one else
because he had no personal objection to
Mr.. White. Republican senators ex-
press the opinion that the resolution,
amended as they are willing to accept
1t, will pass by a majority of ten TO
fifteen. The resolution prob bly, will
be amended SO as to strike out all
reference 10 Secretary Carisle's letter,
and 10 put the reason for no further
legislation on the ground that none is
practicable, instead of, as the original
resolution has it, that none is desirable.
Prominent conservative Democratic sen-
atorS were apprised after the caucus ad-
JOurned of its action, and il is under
stood that they acquiesce in the proposed
modification of the Murphy resolution.