The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-12

ing the Hill resolution nor the call Of the
caucus by the House Democrats insures
the passage or defeat of the bill, nor yet
does it certainly mean the Senate bill or
nothing. There are many persons who be-
lieve that the Democratic caucus viii re-
suit in the final success of the Senate bill.
and that this action will be taken because
the Democrats of the House, majority
OF them will not want to risk any vote
whatever in the Senate for fear Of killing
all tariff legislation. This feeling. how
ever, was stronger at o'clock than at 6
O'Clock to-day, and it is quite probable that
the time which has been gained Will be
devoted toward reconcling the differences,
making a compromise bill hurriedly and
with the least possible friction, and pass
ing it quickly possible, providing
such action will be acceptable to the House
caucus.
The parliamentary tangle in which the
bill is now placed if no report is made by
the Senate conferees has caused consider
able discussion, and opinion Is divided As
TO the courses open 70 the House. These
tangles, however, would all unravel at
once if the wings of the Democratic party
again tapped in harmony and agreement
on a report was reached by the conferees.
III this De 1Ound Impossible III Is cOnIenueu
by some that the House could concur in
the Senate amendments, and pass the bill
at once whether the particular copy of the
bill on which the conferees are at work is
on the clerks desk or in the conference
room. 1t is also claimed that the House
can rescind the action sending the bill to
conference, which would bring it
amended by the Senate again before the
orlio
not so serious the other complications
which have arisen. and which may arise
before the caucus on Monday and before
the Senate meets again to prevent an ad-
justment of the differences.
| UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.
| At present the questions remaining un-
| answered are: Will the House caucus de-
| eide to take the Senate bill; or will a de-
cision be reached to make one more ef-
| fort to agree on compromise bill. 1t is
| conceded by almost all parties now that
| fewer concessions are to be expected of
| the Senate than probably could have been
| obtained a week ago; that the outlook at
| this time is between no bill, the Senate
| bill and the Senate bill modified, but not
to a great degree. When Speaker Crisp
| and Chairman Wilson determined, after a
| conference at noon, that a House caucus
| should be held on Monday morning,
| other new element was added to the tariff
| situation.
The House conferees had previously con-
cluded that a caucus was desirable, and
Mr. Crisp quickly assented to the plan,
| his name and that Of Mr.. Wilson heading
| the petition to Chairman Holman that the
caucus be called. With this authoritative
| Endorsement from the House and tariff lead
/ Sieypa a 9 a
| paper could be passed about, and the num-
| ber necessary for the call was obtained
| within half an hour. Mr.. Crisp went over
! to the Senate and told the Senators what
| had been done, and this was one of the
main causes for postponing the Hill resolu-
| tion until Monday, the caucus, at 10 a.
m, will give an opportunity for the House
| to determine upon it's policy before the Hill
resolution is taken up at II o'clock.
| Throughout the day the purposes Of the
| caucus were canvassed from every possible
| standpoint Speaker Crisp said of it.:
"There is no prearranged programme for
| the caucus. The House conferees felt
that they would like to inform their asso-
ciates of the difficulties encountered. and
of the position they had taken up to the
present time. don't know that they desire
| or intend to ask for any particular line of
|
| to inform Democratic members of the ex-
act situation. What line of action will be
developed 1 cannot say. and l think it
would depend largely on circumstances.
| There is no purpose on the part of the con-
ferees. so far as | know, to present the
| question of the Senate bill or no bill, but
that may and probably will come up"
! WILSON WILL MAKE A STATEMENT.
| Chairman Wilson also treated the caucus
as designed for the purpose of giving and
| receiving information and advice. He said
he would make a full statement of re-
cent difficulties in conference and of GER
tain misapprehensions which had been
given wide publicity. One of these misap-
prehensions which Mr.. Wilson will clear
| I'D is as to the tender of free sugar and
free coal by the Senate conferees and he
will tell his colleagues that the tender was
| no. made or at least was made with the
| knowledge that 1T would assist in defeating
| the bill Mr.. Wilson mas not yet stated
what line Of action. if any, ne would ask
| the caucus to take. He says the House
conferees have not as yet decided among
themselves that the time has come for the
Whether he will leave the caucus to shape
its views on this grave question or viii
| ask it's continued support in an aggressive
policy has not been indicated by him to
any of the members.
Representatives Warner, Tracey and
said tonight that difference would be
| given to the wishes of Mr. Wilson They
expressed certainty that if he assumed
| the leadership on any exact line or policy
| the House would stand behind him. 1t is
accepted as certain. however, that the
will be precipitated at the caucus whether
Mr.. Wilson Institutes Ii or not. Several
members stated to-day their purpose TO
| present resolutions this line in the
event that the tariff leaders did not do it.
Representative Flthian, of Illinois. says
| that while he will defer TO the tariff con-
ferees rs 10 initiating such move, he
will introduce resolution, If no one else
does. directing the conferees to get the
best bill possible and report il. While
this would not directly order the accept
ance of the Senate bill. it would be the
bill if il the best possible that could
be reported at once.
Messrs Bynum, Springer and others who
sprung the first caucus feel that the
caucus will result in the acceptance of
the Senate bill, and they have more adj
vantaees now than when the first caucus
was held. In some quarters IL was be-
lieved that some middle ground would be
sentative Straus. OF New York, believes
an acceptance of the Senate tender of free
sugar, with a provision for bounty for a
year or more, would secure the votes of
the Louisiana Senator'S and the Populists
and would be sufficient to pass the bill
in the Senate. but Mr. Straus has few
supporters in the view. Whether Mr..
not determined. 1t is understood that the
physical posSessor" of the bill now is Mr.
Talbot. Clerk =. the House committee on
ways and means who has served of late
as clerk to the conference. Whether Mr.
Talbot as custodian OF the bill, would con-
.lf "a Of tfaa