The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-29
CALL Eon A CAuCUs.
Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, Inauguartes
Surprising Move.

WASHINGTON, July 2S.-Representative
Springer. of Illinois, late this afternoon.
circulated the following call for a Demo-
cratic House caucus on the tariff. 1t was
addressed 10 Chairman Holman: The un-
dersigned Democratic members OF the
House of Representatives respectfully re-
Guest in the event of no agreement hay-
Ing been reached by the conferees on the
tariff bill by Tuesday next, the 3lst instant,
that you will call caucus of the Demo-
cratic members of the House TO meet at
. o'clock p. m. on that day, 10 consider
the action the House should take in order
TO secure the early passage of tariff bill"
Within a very short time the call was gen.
orally signed by Democrats and the GER
tainty of caucus was assured. il the con-
ferees did not agree. Mr.. Springer believes
in passing a bill at once.
Chairman Wilson was surprised to learn
that call for caucus was in circulation.
1t was the general opinion that the call
was the elimination OF a sentiment that
has been growing for some days In the
rank and file of the House to end the tariff
struggle without reference 10 what the
leaders or House conference desired Mo-
tees have been sent to the Republican
members that the full conference commits
tee will meet or Monday at ! o'clock.
Chairman Wilson saw several members
of the House during the early part Of the
day, and while he avoided a direct COM
initial on the issue between the House and
Senate, the members got the impress
sion in a general way that Mr.. Wilson re-
garded the situation as precarious and as
presenting a choice between the Senate bill
somewhat modified and a continuance OF
the Mckinley Law. and that he regarded
ha evil Mpmhprg of
the House, in speaking OF accepting the
Senate bill, use the words as meaning coal,
iron and sugar, as there is no doubt OF
compromise on many Of the other sched-
, ules on these three items House members
feel that there may be some slight change
in the Senate rates, although the substan-
tial features will stand. 1t will signify in
this particular that a leading Democratic
member of the House, who expects TO start
tonight on campaign tour. prepared his
speech on the basis of practically the Sem
ate schedules on sugar, iron and coal
The early session OF the conference was
devoted entirely TO an eNcnange OF views
on the situation, with the Senate members
doing the greater part of the talking. 1hey
e1t e3ip feeling In the senate it was out of the
question for the Senate c0nferees TO make
any concessions on the principal articles In
dispute, and that, in their opinion. the con-
ference would have to adopt practically
the Senate bill or there would be no tariff
The House Democratic tariff conferees
went TO the ways and means COM
| mittee soon after the general confer
ence with the Senators ended. the
stray members and visitors retired and
the four House conferees held "A secret
session II was the first time they
ha1 net in this way and II was taken 10
IN cate a purpose 10 decide on a line OF
Z .on. IL was stased positively by House
=, .nferecs that the meeting with the SEN
utors had been confined 10 general going
over of the subject. and that no agreement
had been reached on iron, coal or sugar.
Ii was also stated that the Republican con-
ferees would be called In at the next meet
ing on Monday. AT 1.3n O'Clock the ses-
sion OF the House cOnfeIees had assumed
Important proportions and was regarded as
M turning point of the tariff struggle.
The four conferees had taken OF their
coats and had settled down for long.
ard ~ was believed. a decisive movement.
In was said by those in position 10 know
tho drift OF affairs behind the closed doors
that the meeting would last until O'Clock.
as.d thet Chairman Wilson and his three
associates were face 20 face with the plain
| DroDosition of whether or not they would
| acceDt practically the Senate bill moth
/ ing The utmost secrecy was observed, but
IN was said that the final answer 20 this
decisive question was likely 20 be reached
before the House conferees separated. The
! Democrats Of the conference Will meet
| on Monday again and possibly In the after
noon the Republican members VIII bs
| called I'm. Later Chairman Wilson sent
| for the entire ways and means committee.
| Democrats and Republicans. and some gen.