The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-23
GUARDING THEIR INTERESTS.
Californians Fighting for an
In crease of the Duty.
CALLING FOR A CONFERENCE.
Prominent Democrats in the Upper
House Will Caucus on the
Tariff Bill.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The French
winemakers are very busy in Washington
at present. and it behooves Californians
to look after their interests. The French
men are button holing Senators at the Capt.
tOl, dining and winning them, individually
and collectively. and using the Washing
ton newspapers to present their argu-
ments. The Post this morning has an
interview with Adolph Meyer, the repre-
sentative of a large French winehouse.
He says the winemakers of Bordeaux
view the Wilson bill with ''equanimity."
because it makes no change in the duty on
French clarets, NOR have the dull times
affected our trade" says he. 1--WE are SELL
ing as much wine in America as we ever
did,"
The California Democrats in Congress.
excepting Mcguire. and assisted by Wet
more. are trying to get an increase in the
tariff on wine. The principal argument
they use is that wine is a luxury and
therefore should be taxed. 1t is doubtful.
however, whether they will be able to in
finence the subcommittee of the Senate.
The raisin-growers have Butler of
Fresno here as their representative, but
the prune-producers do not seem to realize
the danger that threatens them. Mr..
Loud says their industry will be utterly
ruined and they will have to uproot their
trees if the Wilson bill becomes law. He
has repeatedly asked them to at least send
in some data. which might be used here,
but they are deaf to all peals.
The Democratic mem bers of the Senate
are much disturbed over the situation con-
corning the tariff bill. They used the half
holiday to-day to make decided effort to
agree upon some features of the bill so as
to insure its passage, but they did not
make any very marked progress and will
continue their efforts tomorrow and Satur-
day undisturbed by other official business.
AS the Senate has adjourned until Mon
day, whether the call for a caucus circu-
lated to-day shall be considered seriously
will depend upon the success of the Demo
cratic Senators in reaching some agree
Hent without this conference. The call
was circulated quite vigorously for a short
time during the early part of the session.
and after about fifteen names had been Sc
cured the effort was suspended.
The call was presented, as rule, TO Sena-
tors known to be urging changes in the bill.
the result being that many of those in
accord with the subcommittee on the
tariff were ignorant of the fact that the
call was in circulation. There is no doubt
but that sufficient number of signatures
have been secured to insure the calling of
the caucus, as only five are required for
that purpose, but it would appear that the
signers do u OF intend pressing the call if a
satisfactory agreement can be arrived at
without a caucus. There is but little
doubt but that German is in accord with
the movement for caucus. as be was
present at a conference early in the day. at
which the circulation of the call was de-
cided upon. Six Senators took part In the
conference, VIZ: German, Butler. Hill.
Murphy, Brice and Caffery.