Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-27
MORE CAUCUSING
The Democratic Membership of the
Senate Confer on the Tariff.
SUGAR THE KEY TO THE SITUATION
Mr.. Brice Makes Another Spirited
Speech to His Associates.
REPUBLICANS CoNTENTED

Into one immense finance committee the
entire democratic membership of the Senate
behind closed doors this morning resolved
itself. The democratic caucus, which be-
gan yesterday morning. is no longer a
caucus proper; 1t is a substitute for the
Committee in charge Of the tariff bill. The
Wilson measure is now being considered
by the caucus schedule by schedule, item
oy item. under the same program which
governs the work of the finance committee.
quite all OF the session this morning was
confined to the sugar schedule. There was
no definite agreement upon anything. Had
an effort been made sugar would have
oeen disposed of, for, according to what
appears to be the unanimous opinion of
those present, the preponderance of express
sion was in favor OF a uniform duty Of
three-quarters Of a cent per pound upon all
grades of sugar
Vigorous Combination.
There was a very vigorous combination,
comprising probably one-third of those
present. decidedly opposed to any duty
Whatever upon sugar. A small number.
probably half dozen. favored a duty 6is-
crimlnating upon refined sugar, intended
TO protect the refiners; but there appears
nttle II any doubt that vote levying a
opposition to anything for the refners.
IL is not likely that the tariff bill will be
completed by the caucus this week. 1t is
possible that agreements may be reached
upon the principal items in dispute but it
Is not the intention to attempt to make pub
lie the contents of the measure before next
week. Sugar Is the key to the situation
AS goes the decision upon sugar will go
that upon coal, iron ore lead and possibly
wool. although the demand for duty upon
wool Is not as great that upon either of
the other articles named
senator Brice Asks Some Questions,
The caucus was the scene of another
spirited speech by Senator Brice made in
reply to speeches ny members of the finance
committee. in which one of them, presum-
ably Senator Vest had said that what con-
cessions had been made had been
made at the point of the bayonet
MI Brice said that apparently they
had undertaken to catch two Senators
from Louisiana. with a sugar bait and had
made arrangements for other votes by max
ing concessions on few other articles II
these additions were to be made to an other
wise ideal BILL made to fit the interests of
the region west of the Mississippi to catch
these votes. Mr.. Brice wanted to know
what was to be done to hold the support of
IN sne senators from the latitude represented
by himself and the Senators from New York
and New Jersey, and he added that il the
many interests of those great states could
not be given consideration he saw no
themselves with bayonets and pursue the
course OF their more successful colleagues
Only Definite Action.
Ihe only definite action of the forenoon
session consisted in decision to place ma
chinery for cotton manufacturing upon the
rree list This concession was granted at
the request of the Mississippi Senators. who
urged II because of the fact that they rep
resented the cotton manufacturing industry
which was rapidly growing in Importance in
the SOUTH The proposition caused consider
able debate and more less reference to
1avoritism because of sectional lines, but 1t
carried.
The Finance Committee.
The Senate finance committee met this
morning pursuant to Yesterdays agree
ment, but transacted no business on ac-
count OF the necessity of the democratic
members attending that caucus and because
now that the caucus has taken the bill in
hand IL will not be in shape to be presented
to the committee until the caucus can PASS
upon it. t00
Only Senators Voorhees, and Jones of the
democratic members of the committee were
present, and they left and went into the
caucus after remaining few minutes Mr.
voorhees, explaining that some things had
occurred to occasion delay. He did not an
nounce any meeting Of the committee for
tomorrow, from which fact it is inferred
that he does not expect the caucus to reach
a speedy agreement.
Republicans Take Ii PhilosophicaIly,
The republican members of the commit
tee, all of whom except Senator Jonss of
nevada were present, remained in the
nnance committee room for some time after
the democrats had left discussing the situ
ation and comparing notes upon the feat
ures OF the bill The republican members
or the committee. as well as other repubIi-
can Senators, are inclir ed to regard the sit
uaton phiiosophically- They do not expect
the democratic. caucus to reach an early
agreement because of the conflicting inter-
ests represented by the Senators constitut-
~ g the caucus. and are not displeased at
the delay. They are well satisfied to have
II occur If 1t causes dissension in the ranks
of their onponenfs 9