The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-05
SPLIT ON THE TARIFF.
Strong Democratic Opposition
TO the Wilson Bill.
A HOUSE CAUCUS TO BE CALLED.
Republicans, Aided by Lakewarm
Democrats, Blockade the House.
One Democrat votes Openly With the
Republicans. and Many Others Alb
sent Therns-ives-Ferty-se sign
Caucus Call.

WASHINGTON CTTy. Jan. 4-Chairman
Holman, of the house Democratic eau
Gus, has issued cali for caucus tomor-
row night Mt O'Clock. Forty-seven DEM
ocrats signed the request for the call. The
purpose of the call is TO consider the mer-
its of the tariff bill, and is accepted a, the
first open demonstration OF opposition to
tiIe bill in the present form. No member
OF the ways and means committee signed
the call The Internal revenue feature and
income tax will receive consideration.
Chairman Wilson and his associates ex-
press a willingness TO 60 into the caucus.
Wilson said il was his understanding that
the customs features and all other sec
ticns OF the bill will be conssoered. Many
Democrats deprecate the caucus, as in it
are prospects of disagreeabie clash within
the party.
The Democrats today suffered . repe-
tition of the experiences Of Yesterday, and
were again unable to procure Democratic
quorum. which the Republicans insisted
they should have before the tariff debate
could proceed. The high water mark to-
day was lTo, twelve more than yesterday,
but txentv~Eine less tnan the requisite
number It was claimed by the Demo-
cratic whips that over $50 Democrats are
Ia the city. and that some OF those who did
not appear today are iukewarm in support
of the Wilson bill or openly lighting some
of its provisions, and have deliberately
decided to offer no aid toward getting the
bill before the house. One Democrat
sperry of Connecticut. although present.
acted with the Republicans today
and refused TO answer to his name
The Democratic leaders are very much
disgusted over yesterday and today's pro-
ceedings and assert vehemently that there
is no excuse for the heavy list of absentees
at this important time, saying that every
Democrat understood when thes holiday
recess was taken that the programme was
to take up the tariff bill the day congress
convened. The Republicans are naturally
jubilant over the success that has attended
their efforts to block their progress, al
though there are some manifestations of
dissatisfaction With the course of Bouteile.
whose attempt to launch the Hawaiian
debate yesterday and today has cut of all
prospect OF consideration of that subject
until the tariff is disposed OF.
Had he permitted the arrangement
suggested by McCreary and agreed
TO by Hit to- be entered
would have been devoted 10 Hawaii. and
the same blockade could have been effected
in the house with reference to the tariff by
refusing 60 go into committee OF the whole
for consideration of the Wilson bill It is
almost certain that the Democrats will
have quorum present tomorrow, but two
days have already been wasted, and this
will probably necessitate an extension of
the limit of debate beyond January IL, on
which day the programme contemplated
the final vote. There is some talk about
carrying out the original programme and
vote January II, and reducing the time for
general debate to four days and debate un-
der the five-minute rule to seven days
With this idea in view, some Democrats
who desired to speak were asked If they
would consent to speak very briefly. with
the privilege Of extending their remarks
in the Record. but several threatened TO
vote against the bill unless they were
given an opportunity to tell the house in
open session why they opposed il in part
or as q whole. Ii is likely that the debate
will he extended at least two days to make
up for the two days that have been wasted.
The committee on rules will consider the
question tomorrow morning.
Bourke Cochran and Secretary Carlisle
had an interview with Cleveland today on
the subject OF the income tax. TO which
Cochran is strongly opposed. II Cochran
is TO be believed. the president said he
would soon make public utterance of his
views on this subject, opposing any in
come tax save upon corporations.