Evening star., 1894-03-01
NOT IN H A R M ON Y
The Democratic Caucus Adjourns After a
Few Speeches.
Mr.. German Opposes the Tariff Bill
Opposition by Other Senator'S
Effects of the Caucus.

The democratic caucus that has been
blocking the wheels of senatorial legisla-
tion for several days past adjourned yes
terday afternoon sine die, after having sent
the tariff bill back to the finance commit
tee. In short, the conservatives" have not
carried their point the kick" has been of
no avail, and the matter is left practically
as 1t was when the call for the caucus was
circulated last Thursday. when the bill was
ready for report to the full committee.
There were two things accomplished in
the afternoon session of the caucus. One
was the taking of vote on proposition
by Mr.. Pugh to instruct the committee to
place iron ore on the dutiable list at fifty
cents ton. This was defeated by vote
of ID to II. Mr.. Hill not voting. Mr.. Pugh
stated that in view of the closeness of the
vote, he would not hold himself bound by
1t, but would reserve the right to present
an amendment in the open Senate and sup
port it with his vote and voice there. This
was the signal for the breaking UP of the
caucus. number of Senators declared
that If Senators did not intend to abide by
the votes of the caucus it was useless TO
attempt to take any more ballots, and after
a short discussion, Mr.. Voorhees, presented
resolution, which, it is said, was drafted
by Mr.. Brice, and which was adopted with
out division, to the effect that the caucus
man, with the understanding that the COM
mittee should continue the work on the
bill and report it as soon as possible. 1t
Is not certain just whether this resolution
was intended to mean that the bill should
be reported to the Senate from the COM
mittee or to the caucus. The conserya-
tives are inclined to think that the latter
course was intended.
MIR. German Wants Protection.
The afternoon session of the caucus was
devoted almost exclusively to talk. Senator
German made the principal speech Of the
afternoon. 1t was moderate and concilia-
tory in tone. He said a great deal about
the necessity Of party harmony, and Of get
ting bill that would command the solid
support of the democratic party. He did
not want the democrats to go before the
country divided on this issue, which had
been one Of the great campaign issues of
the party. He wanted the Industries Of the
country protected, so as not to put Ameri-
can labor on a par with that of Europe.
Coal, iron ore and all manufactured pro-
ducts, he thought should have some pro-
lection, so that the party would be sure of
holding what it had gained in the north.
he was opposed to an extension of the ad
valorem system. and believed that better
results would be obtained by specific du-
ties. Speaking for. his own state, he did
not ask more for it than he was willing to
concede to other states. He believed tlat
the Dill as 1t now stood Disseminated
against his state In favor of New England
industries He and those who represen ted
these states, felt that some changes should
De made and concessions granted TO the
men whose democracy could not be ques-
TONED, and who felt that their states would
suHer II the bill remained as it now stood
senator Ransom spoke at some length
and urged party harmony.
senator Jones of the subcommittee ex-
planned the bill. giving many details of
the measure. He thought it would be very
poor policy to change the work Of the
committee radically, and said that if once
begun there would be no end to it.
Senators Morgan and Pugh spoke for
iron ore. The former made a very mod
crate speech, pointing out that free iron
ore would mean the crippling of a grow
ing and important industry in his state
senator Berry spoke in support of the
bill as framed and thought this was no
time to make changes.
Not Defeated.
Immediately after the adjournment of
the caucus Senators German, Brice, Hill,
Smith, Murphy. Camden and one or two
Others who have been known to be very
much opposed to the bill of the finance
committee as it was prepared by the COM
mittee. held a consultation.
Senator Brice who was one of the
prime movers in the caucus, said later that
the result could not be considered in the
light of a defeat for those who Were in
strumental in bringing about the caucus;
went into II with not more than one
quarter or one-third of the democrats of
the Senate in accord with them and came
out on the only proposition upon which
there was any test whatever about equally
divided, and further that the men who
had called the caucus adjourned it. The
Ohio Senator claimed that a great deal
had been accomplished in presenting to
the committee the ideas and wishes of in
dividual Senators upon the tariff. He be-
lieved it had been demonstrated to them
that certain schedules in the bill did not
meet the approval of a large number of
Senators and in more impressive manner
than could have been done without the
caucus. There had been a free and full
hearing for every Senator, and that was
great deal more than many had been able
to obtain. He said every democratic Sena-
tor between now and the time when the
bill is reported will be accorded a hearing
by members of the finance committee.