The record-union., 1894-08-08
Democratic Members of the House
Meet in Caucus.
CONFERREES LEFT TO PROCEED AS
THEY SEE BEST.
Chairman Wilson of the Ways and
Means Committee, the Author of
the House Bill, aud Speaker Crisp
Address the Caucus, Advising Mem
bers to Stand by the House Measure.
Special to the RrcoRD-UNroS.

WASHINGTON, Aug. chairman Will
son and his associates of the House con-
ferrees scored victory to-day when the
House Democratic caucus was called with
a view of terminating the tariff bill. by
instructing or advising the House con-
ferrees to adjourn without action.
The effect of this was to leave the House
conferrees to proceed as they see best, and
to show conspicuously that the effort to
advise them had failed. The friends of
Wilson found they had the caucus so well
III hand that they could have passed the
Livingstone resolution expressing conf
dence, but there was no desire on the part
OF the supporters of the conferrees to
take .his course.
Speaker Crisp and Chairman Wilson
expressed themselves as gratified with
this conclusion, and among the rank and
file of the House the sentiment was gen.
eral that the movement lnaugurated to
bring about an acceptance of the Senate
bill had resulted in materially strengthen
ing the opposition to the Senate bill.
The caucus was called to order by
Chairman Holman. The roll-call dis
closed the presence OF 166 members.
Speaker Crisp sat among the mem bers
Chairman Wilson and Representatives
Mcmillan, Bynum and Springer, who
had urged the caucus together In con-
ference throughout the meeting. By an
error the clerk read Mr.. Spriuger's name
at two different stages OF the roll-call.
and great laughter was occasioned
thereby. Enthusiasm was aroused by
the reading OF a telegram announcing the
result OF the Alabama eleetlons.
frbo,, Mr. Runuto 0ffareH the fOlloyyi00
resolution:
Whereas, House Bill 1876, for the re-
duction Of taxation And to provide reve-
nue. for the Government. passed the
House on February 3D. and the Senate on
the Sd of July, and was sent to confer
ence on the 7th day of July last; and,
whereas the commercial interests of the
country have been held in suspense
awaiting final settlement of the ques-
ton, the people of the whole country
have, through the public press, and by
petitions and memorials. to both houses
of Congress, demanded q speedy decision
that the Industries of the country may as
soon as possible be adjusted 10 the pro-
posed changes; and, whereas, the confer
rees appointed by the two houses to hold
full and free conference over the dis
agreeing votes OF the two houses have
had the matters in dispute under consid-
GRAFTON for one month, and have failed TO
come to any agreement whatever; and,
whereas, the House of Representatives,
which under the Constitution of the
United States is clothed with the exclu-
sive power to originate bills raising reve-
nue., and is therefore clothed with the
right to pass upon all amendments pro-
posed by the Senate, freely and without
restraint; and, whereas, the members of
the House of Representatives have not
availed themselves of an opportunity to
consider said Senate amendments, or any
of them, which right under parliament
airy law is superior TO all others; and,
whereas, it is currently believed that the
same conferrees are unable to agree;
therefore be IL
Res0LUed, First, that it is the sense of
this caucus that the Democratic confer
rees 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. Second
That this caucus stands adjourned until
p. NJ. Friday, the 10th instant, at which
time, in case no agreement has been
reached, it shall reconvene to take such
further action in the premises as it may
deem necessary and appropriate. and the
Chairman OF the House caucus is hereby
authorized and directed TO invite the
Democratic Senators to meet with the
Democrats of the House at that time in
joint caucus.
In his explanatory statement, which
was brief one, Mr.. Bynum said that al
though there has been clamor from part
of the press for the House bill, he be-
lieved that the overwhelming sentiment
of the country was it was the best possible
that could be agreed upon. For himself,
he preferred the Senate bill to no bill, and
as he interpreted the wish of the party it
was for a tariff bill, and prompt action.
He had no sympathy with the stand
taken by some members that it would be
better to retain the Mckinley bill than
substitute the Senate bill for it,
When Chairman Wilson of the Ways
and Means Committee rose he was
greeted with enthusiasm. In his quiet
way he said he was glad to meet with his
party colleagues, although he would not
have selected this particular time for a
caucus. He commented upon it as an
unfortunate circumstance, that at a cru
cial point in the negotiations of the con-
ferrees this week, and at the critical stage
of the conference as well, movements had
been started to hold caucus over the
heads of the conferrees, so to speak. The
House bill seemed to be acceptable to the
country, while the Senate bill had not.
He appreciated the necessity of the
party in power to pass a tariff bill. The
Democracy had been intrusted with the
administration of the Government for
that purpose but the necessity was
equally imperative that the bill agreed
upon should be essentially measure of
tariff reform, one that would be in fulfill
ment of party pledges, not one that
should put the party on the defensive.
He believed that more than a month
might be well spent toward that end. He
believed that if the House conferrees did
their duty, and the House did its duty,
hot for nd
Senate and acceptable to the people would
be the result Such result would not
be brought about by any action that
would notify the Senate that ii it would
hold out to a given date the House would
instruct its conierrees TO recede. If the
House Democrats could propose any plan
likely to sustain the House bill and assist
its conferrees be would welcome it.
Bland spoke up with the sugges-
ton that the House would pass bill to
put sugar on the free list, and then take
up the income tax, but as 1t was offered
in humorous vein, no notice was taken
of it.and. .LiyingstoneO OF Georgia proposed
a substitute for the Bynum resolution,
expressing the confidence of the House in
its conferrees, and leaving the matter en-
tirely in their hands.
Then followed discussion of the posi-
ton held by the Senate and the prospects
of an agreement. Mr.. Breckenridge, of
the ways and Means Committee. rose to
correct an impression which might be
maintained. he said, if not credited. that
an ultimatum had been received by the
House conferrees. and ordered by them.
One of the Louisiana members argued
that speedy action was necessary; that it
was plain that the Senate would not
yield, and then proceeded to pay high
tribute to Senator Mills as pioneer in
tariff reform, and said that this conspicu-