Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-26
THE CAUCUS ACTION
It Has Thrown the House Democrats
Into Confusion.
WHAT JOINING THE TWO BILLS MEANS
Looks Like Creating a Sectional
Warfare in the House.
WHAT Is MOST FEARED

The democratic side of the House Is
wrenched and thrown into confusion by
the action of the caucus last night and 1t
Is felt today that there is more doubt about
the outcome of the vote on the tariff bill
than there has been at any time before.
1t Is believed from developments in the
caucus that the income proposition stand
ing alone would have a clear, strong ma
jority In the House, and 1t is estimated
by some OF the shrewdest men in Congress
that, standing alone, it might have a larger
vote than the tariff bill itself
A Weak Combination.
The two bills combined. however, 1t Is
believed. will be weaker than either Of the
bills would be standing alone. There are
some meH who would vote for the income
tax bill. but will not vote for il in COM
bination with the customs bill, and a
good many who say now that though they
would vote for the customs bill alone. will
not vote fo- the combination.
The cry goes out that the joining Of the
income tax to the tariff bill is a sectional
move and means a sectional warfare in the
House 1t has been figured out that, count
ing no southern men. except those from
who are disposed to vote against the COM
bination bill.
What In Most Feared.
The vote which the committee are most
fearful of. as most apt to go against them.
IL any does, Is that to recommit the bill 1t
Is believed that II the republicans vote as a
party to recommit that the motion will
carry.
The republicans have not been disposed
TO vote that way, but considerable in
fuence is being exerted to induce them to
adopt that policy: a number OF republican
roll nd 1f1n
Dtsston came to Washington yesterday for
the purpose of urging all the republicans
with whom he has any influence to vote
to reconmit IL.
1t In understood that most of the demo-
Gratis of the ways and means committee
viii feel themselves bound by the action
of the caucus last night, and notwithstand-
ing the action OF the committee will vote
to add the revenue bill to the tariff bill.
Not more than twenty or thirty of the
democrats who were in the caucus last
night and probably not as many as twenty
will vote against the proposition adopted
in the caucus.
When 1t VIII He Onered.
The income tax will be offered as an
amendment to the tariff bill tomorrow,
when the paragraph relating to playing
cards Is reached As this tax Is an internal
revenue tax. and not a customs duty, IT
makes the proposition to amend the bill by
adding the income bill at that point. The
special order. which will be reported from
the committee on rules tomorrow. will set
aside Monday and Tuesday of next week
for debate on the income bill. This will
cause a postponernent of the closing
speeches TO be made by ex-Speaker Reed
and Speaker Crisp from Monday until
"Wednesday. Upon the conclusion of their
remarks. which will not exceed three hours
at the utmost. voting upon the bill will
begin.
Representative McAIillin, who stands as
the representative of the income tax forces
on the democratic side. is not inclined TO
entertain any doubts Of the entire success
of tine bill.
1T will go through the House without
any serious difficulty" he said. "The op-
ponents of the income tax scheme cannot
muster enough votes with all their repub-
bcan allies to defeat it. They will not have
over twenty-four votes at the outside and
they must secure ffty-two to effect any
thing.