The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-27
.SOUTHERNERSSCORED
Senator Brice Astonishes Some of
His Democratic Colleagues.
He Boldly Announces that the Tariff
Measure Was Arranged by Three
Ex-Rebel Brigadiers.
THAT 1T is A SECTIONAL BILL
And that 1t Aids the South While
RObbing the North and West.
Sensation at Yesterdays Caucus Of SEN
atOrs-The Bill Not Ready to Re-
port as Voorhees, Expected.
Special TO the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-Quite a breeze
was created in the caucus of Democratic
Senators to-day over an interview published
from Senator Brice in which he was quoted
as saying that the tariff bill to be presented
TO the Senate was a sectional measure IA
'orable only to the South. and that its
burdens would have TO be carried by the
North and the East and West and that the
commercial interests of the country have
been for some time and were now In the
hands Of a subcommittee of three ex-rebel
brigaders who were idealsts, referring to
Senator Jones. of Arkansas; Mills of Texas,
and Vest, of Missouri. The latter called up
the interview In a passionate speech. and
demanded to know of Senator Brice whether
he was correctly reported.
The course pursued by the Ohio Senator
in the presence OF the Southern brigadiers
has been the source of a great deal of
hearty congratulation to him from patriotic
citizens generally The brigadier trlumvirate
who responsible for the remodeling OF
the Wilson bill caught a tartar in Sena-
tor Brice. The latter stood by every word
accredited to him. He drew forth the inter-
view and asked of the irate ex-rebels what
there was I'm II that was not correct. The
members of the subcommittee having charge
of the tariff bill were. Che said. as every
body knows. Southern Confederates; not
one of them had practical knowledge Of the
tariff subject. He then went all through the
tariff bill as remodeled by the committee
and showed that IT essentially a meas
are for the South: that the East and entire
Northern and Western country would have
20 bear all Of the burdens in the
proposed law; that the South gave nothing
and took everything; that such law as was
proposed by the Wilson BILL while intended
to revive interests In the South. proposed
no advantage to the East or West or any
section Of the North, and struck vital blows
at all OF the great interests and industries
in those sections. In short. Senator Brice
"fairly ripped the bill up the back and
proved every assertion made in the inter-
view credited to him. He left the impress
sion In the most decided way that IL some
of the interests In his State and East and
West generally were not better protected
than by the bill presented he would vote
against it on its final passage. 1t was sup
posed when the Southerners Jumped upon
the Ohio Senator that he would pursue the
usual course OF public men and repudiate
the interview. He not only stood by 1t, but
rubbed II in on those who thought they
would annlhilate him and his assertions
The speech of Senator Brice was the topic
OF comment among Republicans at the cap
itol during the afternoon.
Senator Turpie of Indiana, made a long
and bitter speech In the caucus against
taking sugar off the free list and making
II pay duty. He said he opposed any duty
at all and declared that If the sugar men
of this country could not build up their In
dustry without bounty or duty they had
better go out OF the business He was es-
IN tba
bounty. while the suggestions of a duty for
protection to the domestic sugar producers
acted upon him like red flag before q bull.
WHAT MIR. BRICE SAID.
Senator Brice's Interview printed in
the New York World yesterday. Speaking
| IN relation 10 the proposed caucus Mr. Brice
said: 1--WE shall warn the Southern Senators
| that they are condemning the Democratic
| party to disgrace and destruction. For this
| the so-called conference OF conservative
| Senators has been set for Monday. 1t will
| not be a caucus; only conference, but a
| caucus may grow out of it, 1t will be to
| discuss the sporadic and irregular way i'm
| which the tariff bill was framed without
| the knowledge or advice OF n single Demo
| cratic Senator. The bill was drawn up in
| the dark by coterie Of idealists None of
| the Democratic leaders Of the House were
| consulted admitted to the conferences.
| Nor were the President and his Cabinet,
or rather such members as took any inter-
| est in the tariff. We have here great
measure affecting the whole country, yet 1t
| is made up without the aids of Representa-
| tives of the States of New York, Pennsyl-
vania. Massachusetts Ohio, Illinois, Iowa,
| Missouri, Kansas and others forming that
| great belt OF Commonwealths which con-
1 ha h,raf aft of ha trxy
and ought to have voice in such an i'm
| portant matter. New York and Ohio, two
States having a population of 100000 peo-
| pie and fifty Representatives In Congress-
were shut out entirely from any participa-
| tion. Now. We want to know something
! about II. The President was opposed TO at
| taching the income tax, but representations
were made that it was absolutely necessary
in order that the bill might pass"
! "Wnl he approve 1t in such form?"
| was asked Mr.. Brice.
''The Democratic party is pledged to pass
a tariff bill and the President will approve
Now IN THIS tertF b hG rramed P in e1e the daS
without party consultation, comes TO the
Senate. 1t was placed in charge OF three
! Senators-all eN-confederate hrigadiers; all
living south OF Mason and Dixons line and
| west of the Mississippi river; all cotton
planters and all idealists. These men as
| sumo control Of a measure of vast impor-
tance to the great business and financial
| States | have mentioned and the Northern
Senator's have a right TO know something
| about IL and have some voice in its franz
| ing. For this reason the conference was
| called"
| What is the position OF the Northern
| members on the Income tax amendment Y'
THE Senators are not concerned about
! the tax feature. We shall tell our South
| ern friends in the conference that If they
| persist they will destroy the party The
recent elections show that tendency in
| States which the Democracy Is dependent
| upon for success. The sentiment of The
people is overwhelmingly exhibited In these
elections and continuance in the present
lines means utter defeat for the party. An
| income tax bill would create an inouisi-
| torlal army OF officials TO collect revenue
| that could be much easier and more in
| directly raised by customs. But a tarifs
hill will be- eventually passed. Ii may pro-
| vide for free wool, free iron, free sugar,
free salt. and dozens OF other free articles.
! but II can only be passed after the SEN
| ators have some knowledge of the matter
/ The conference which has been called fer
! Monday at 10 o'clock Is TO talk this matter
over and settle on some plan OF action.
TIE CAUCUS.
The Associated Press account OF the eau
Gus says: The Democrats OF the Senate
spent almost the entire day in caucus dis