The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-25

After Three Hours the Senator's Ad-
iourn Sill in n Deadlock.

WASHINGTON, July 24.-The Democrats
of the Senate to-day decided to retire be-
hind closed doors for the purpose OF set
Ting their differences on the tariff and try
ing to reach an amicable understanding. n
programme was arranged for a caucus,
and accordingly. at 3 O'Clock. the Senate
adjourned and the Democratic members
walked into the marble room and closed
the doors. Senators Hill, Murphy and Irby
were the only Democrats present at the
Capitol who did not respond to the caucus
call. Senator Hill was not notified of the
intention to hold a caucus until the last
minute, and then declined to enter it be-
cause of his attitude on the bill. Senator
Irby left the Capitol without giving any ex-
PLANTATION of his absence. Senator Murphy
went away pleading an engagement. The
caucus continued for three hours, and with
out reaching any conclusion or taking
vote on any proposition adjourned until to-
morrow at o'clock, when another meeting
will be held.
The discussion of some points was very
warm, and especially so just before ad-
journnent, when Senator Villas was speak
ing. Several Senators interrupted him with
questions and criticised the course he was
pursuing in the Senate. This called forth
equally tart replies from the Wisconsin
Senator, and there was prospect OF the de-
bate becoming more personal, when, on the
suggestion of Senator German, the adj
journment took place. The caucus merely
served TO emphasize the two facts that the
Democratic Senators are all anxious to
pass a tariff bill, ani that there are still
wide differences as to the kind of bill they
can pass. 1t was recognized from the be-
ginning that Senator Nilas's motion 10
strike out the differential duty sugar
occupied a most important position in the
present controversy, and several Senators
intimated that until there could be assur-
ances of its withdrawal no conclusion could
be reached in caucus.
Senators Blanchard and Caffery, of Lou
isiana, were both conspicuous in the eau
Gus proceedings. Instead of showing any
disposition to yield the sugar differential,
they asked that the conference committee
be instructed to retain that feature and
the 40 per cent. ad valorem and the one
tenth of cent. additional on sugar i'm
ported from countries paying a bounty on
sugar, and also to continue for this year
enough of the bounty paid under the Nc
Kinley law sugar grown in this country
TO make the duty equal 10 cents PEI
pound. Senator blanchard said that If the
sugar schedule were made less protective
than at present, then he would vote to post
pone the bill indefinitely. He was called
to task by another Senator, who told him
that il would be better that he should
make his explanation by his action in the
Senate than in caucus by a threat To which
he replied that he would not fail TO show
his devotion to his State in every proper
way in the Senate. The Louisiana men also
reminded the caucus of the result Of the
that the agreement then made be lived
up TO.
Villas REALLY WANTS A BILL.
Senator Villas and those who stood with
him, including Senator'S Mills and Palmer
expressed great concern over the passage
of a bill of some character and united in
saying that while they considered the Sen
ate bill preferable 10 the Mckinley law
they thought the chances for the passage
of bill would be greatly improved by the
elimination of the differential, account
of the temper of the House. They indica teC
a Willingness to withdraw the Villas mo,
tlon in case an agreement could be reached
on a proposition for straight al ValOrem
duty, and some of those present formed
the impression that they would be willing
10 raise the rate from 81 To a. nor cspf
Senator Palmer advanced this proposition
During the caucus Senator Harris, in re-
the parliamentary status OF the BILL lie
stated that he considered Mr.. Nilas's mo-
notioD n,iabt he ,changeI SO as "a nd, A.,
il in order. He also stated that he did
not believe that a motion 10 postpone would
be in order, because the bin now in
the possession OF the two houses, and moi
OF the Senate alone. lie admitted that
there were grounds for the opposite opin,
ion this subject, but believed that the
best authority would show such a motion
10 he out of order.
The only motion made during the after
noon was one by Senator Jarvis 10 send
the bill back 10 conference without in
structions and. while nothing like a vote
was taken, the indications now are that
this motion will prevail in the end. Al
most every Senator present made brief
addresses during the continuance Of the
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