The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-11
DEMOCRATS FAVOR REPEAL.
The Caucus Decides or Repeating The Pro-
hibilOry Tax on State Banks.
TO AMEND BRANLEY-SPaINGER BILL.
Mr.. swanson's Canvass Shows 1e3 Votes Ia
Favor OF Unconditional Rspeal-Mr.
williams Count 10 Different.

WASHINGTON. April 10-The Demo-
cratic caucus, after 4 session OF two
hours and half. this evening adopted the
following resolutions without a dissent
ing vote:
Resolved That it is the sense OF this
caucus that the prohibitory tx of ten
per cent. on State bank issue be repeal
ed.
Resolved. That when the bill known as
the Brawley and Springer bill. which the
Committee on Banking and Currency has
ordered reported to the House, is called
up for action, an amendment be offered
repeating the prohibitory tax on State
banks; that ample time be afforded for
discussion, and. If necessary TO secure
this, the Committee on Rules be request
ed TO take proper action"
Exactly l02 Democratic members OF
the House were present. The attendance
from the South and West was very
heavy. but only few eastern men ap-
peared, among them being MesSrs.
Strauss Cummings, Dunphy and Warner
(Ncw York;, Piggott Comm, O'Neill
Chass). and Sibley CPa).
TIE DISCUSSION.
The discussion Of the repeal of the
State tax proceeded in "A desultory way
for "A time, and took wide range. Mr..
Culberson, Of Texas, chairman of the
judiciary committee, made strong
speech In favor Of IT, He reviewed at
some length the political situation in
which the Southern members found them
selves. The Sherman law had been re-
pealed all hope Of silver legislation must
necessarily be abandoned for the present
time. since Mr.. Cleveland had set the seal
Ia II
niOrage bill. IN the Senate the tariff bill
was proceeding slowly.
In fact, said Mr. Culberson, the Demo
cratic members from the South and West
had no record OF pledges redeemed to
carry back 10 their people. The only
thing left 10 meet the urgent demand from
their sections for a greater volume Of
currency was the repeal OF the tax on
State bank circulation. After some
further talk the above resolutions were
offered. the first by Mr.. Cox Of Tennessee,
and the second by Mr. Culberson.
There was but little diversity of opin-
ion in the caucus on the question Of the
advsabillty Of taking up for considera-
tion the question Of the repeal, but there
was some opposition to unconditional re-
peal. The only ou-spoken opponents or
any measure looking 10 the repeal OF the
State bank tax came from Messrs Bryan,
Of Nebraska, and Lane and Williams.
CUMMINGS FAVORED 1T.
Mr.. Cummings. NV York, made a ring
ing speech at the end in favor Of the
repeal. He declared that the people OF
New York had cast their vote for the
Democratic candidates with full know
ledge of what the Chicago platform con-
tanned. and he for one. was ready and
anxious 10 redeem every plank in that
platform At the conclusion Of his speech
the resolutions were adopted and the
caucus adjourned. The result of the
caucus is that the bill to repeal the
State bank tax shall be considered as a
rider to the Brawiey bill. which is now on
the calendar, and that vote shall be
had upon II. Ii was generally admitted
in the caucus tonight that this repeal
could not be accomplished unconditional.
MR. swANsoss CANVASS.
Mr.. Swanson gave as the result Of his
canvass 129 votes for unconditional re-
peal. and Mr. Williams declared as
result OF his investigation that a majority
Of the House favored the repeal, although
not Internationally. The question OF con-
ditions was only briefly touched upon
tonight.