The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-01
THE CAUCUS HAS ENDED.
The Question Now Seems to
Be, Who Has Gained by It?
BUT ONE VOTE BY THE SENATORS.
Opinions Are Divided as to Possible
Changes - The Battle VIII BE
Fought Out on the Floor Of tho
Senate.


BB The Associated Press.
WAsHINGToS, March I. = The Demo
sratic senatorial caucus on the tariff bill
n over. and both sides are claiming TO
have made progress for the interest they
represent. The outcome il In the nature
Of victory for the Democratic members
Of the finance committee who prepared
the bill. as it was returned to them with
out any Instructions TO make changes
Immediately after the adjournment OF
che caucus, Senators German, Brice. Hill,
Smith, Murphy, and one or two others
who have been known to be very
much opposed to the bill as 1t was pre-
pared by the finance committee, held
consultation, and their attitude was In di-
rect contrast with the members Of the
fnance committee.
During the three days. which ended last
sight, while the tariff bill was being con-
sidered, but one vote was taken, and that
but few minutes before adjournment.
This was On proposition tn instruct the
6nancs committee to put iron ore on the
dutiable list. without fixing any rate
whatever, and this was lost by vote Of
10 to IL.
Senator Pugh stated that he would no3
be bound by the action OF the caucus and
reserved the right to support his motion
IN the senate. Several senators at once
declared that 1t would be useless TO take
any more woes, because il senators did
not intend to abide by the action of the
caucus. it put an end to the power Of the
caucus.
Soon after this, Senator Voorhees,, chair
man Of the finance committee, moved
that the caucus adjourn to meet at the
call of the chairman, with the under
standing that the finance committee
should continue it's work on the bill and
report it as soon as possible.
All VIII he Heard.
Senator Brice said last night that every
Democratic senator between now and the
time when the bill is reported will be
accorded hearing BY members OF the
finance committee.
While mem bers OF the finance commit
tee are generally reticent, what they and
their friends say indicate that they feel
that the caucus has resulted in vindica-
tion of the bill which they have prepared,
and instead of being instructed by the
caucus they are free to present such
bill as they think il best suited to the
pTihSiPies VI ehe Pei.y anu ehe hocessieics
Of the revenue.
Opinion seems to be divided as to
whether the committee will now make any
changes. The impression Is that some
changes Of a minor nature will be made
a. we'll as some concessions granted,
where the Democrats have been appar-
emily unjust, and where the changes will
not necessitats other changes In the bill.
Gormans Argument.
Senator German made the principal
speech Of the afternoon. II was moderate
and conciliatory in tone, containing q
great deal about the necessity Of party
harmony. He did not want the Demo
Gratis to go before the country divided on
Ahis issue, which had been one of the
great campaign issues of the party. He
wanted the industries of the country pro-
tected so as not to put American labor on
. par with that of Europe.
Coal, iron ore, and all manufactured
products, he thought, should have some
protection, so that the party would be
sure of holding what it has gained in the
north. He was opposed to an extension
of the ad valorem system, and believed
that better results would be obtained by
specific duties.
The bill, as it now stood, Disseminated
in favor Of New England industries
against those of the middle states. He
and those who represented these states
felt that some changes should be made
and concessions granted TO the men
whose Democracy could not be ques-
toned.
Senator Ransom of North Carolina
spoke at some length and urged party
harmony.
Senator Jones OF the subcommittee
spoke in an explanatory manner of the
bill, giving many details Of the measure.
He thought IL would be very poor policy
10 change the work of the committee
radically, and said that il once begun
there would be no end to IL.
Senators Morgan and Pugh spoke for
IRON ore, and Senator Berry spoke in sup
port of the bill as framed
The vote on iron ore practically put an
end to the caucus, which adjourned at
As. Efforts will be made TO get the bill
into the senate early next week.
The Republicans look upon the result
of the caucus as one of distinct advantage
70 them and possible disaster TO the bill
II il thought that the strength which the
opponents Of the measure have shown in
aicates that the bill will either be radi-
saIly amended N the senate or that 1t may
be postponed to the first Monday in De-