Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-05
BoLTING SENATOR'S NoNCoMMITTAL.
silver Men May or May Not Enter the
Republican Cuucuscs.


WASHINGTON, Dec. "A number OF
republican convention are now in the city.
Senators Cannon, Dubois and Pettigrew met
at the capitol today, but discussed matters
only in a general way. There has been
some speculation as to whether these former
republican senators would attend future re
publican caucuses. One of them, when quss-
toned, said that II would be time enough
for him to decide when he was invited to
caucus, and called attention to the fact
that notices always are served on repub-
lican senator's that a caucus is to be held
Tho burden of determining our standing
In the party rests with those who call the
caucus" he said. IF we are asked to
participate we will then decide what to do"
Another senator said that he would not at
tend any caucus at present and would await
developments. Senator Teller of Colorado
and Senator Mantle of Montana have not
yet arrived and ii is quite probable there
will be no concerted action on the part of
the silver men until the arrival OF the
CORNER
The general impression Of the silver SEN
ators is that no important legislation can
be passed at this session There is also
an impression that the republicans and
tho silver men would prefer that nothing
be brought to an issue until after the vari-
GUS senatorial elections in the western
states, when the complexion OF the silver
and Independent forces in the next senate
will bo more definitely ascertainable SEN
ator Pettigrew, in an interview. said he
did not consider the prospects for tariff
legislation at the approaching session very
good but added that he was a protectionist
and opposed to obstruction. II should like
TO see the people given all the protection
they want" he said, "in order that the coun-
try may discover that it is not the want
Of protection which is at fault in the pres
ent condition of affairs"
Senator Baker of Kansas also thinks the
prospect for the passage of the Dlngley
bill very meager and Is strongly opposed
to 1t. He expressed the opinion that the
question Of an extra session of congress next
spring would depend largely on the result
of senatorial elections this winter. IF it
becomes clear as the result OF these elec-
tlons that the republicans will have a ma
jority of the senate favorable to the pass
age Of a protective bill. 1t would be worth
while to call a special session, but other
wise 1t appears to me it would be use
less experiment"
Senator PETER today denied the report
telegraphed from Topeka that he had en-
tered into an agreement in regard to the tar
III in connection with his campaign for re-
election. THE dispatch is wholly untrue"
he said, and continued II have no managers
anywhere, and have not made or promised
any agreements relating to my reelection.
My tariff views are. In brief these / never
favored high duties on any articles except
luXurie3 and ! have long advocated free
sugar. salt. lumber ana coal | would levy
high duties on all articleo used exclusively by
the rich and fa3tidious and this not for pro-
lection but for revenue AS to articles in
uos among the poorer classes they
ought TO be admitted free of duty. What our
farmers sell IL sold at prices regulated in
foreign markets, and our working people are
In oRen competition on their own ground
with the foreign laborers and II we have to
work and sell in competition with foreign
labor and foreign products, let US buy at for
oign prices. We can raise our revenues
easily and far more justly than We are now
doing through a graduated tax on large
landed estates and incomes, | would reduce
rather than increaDe present tariff rates
An additional tax OF 81 a barrel on beer |
will give us all the revenue we need and
and its collection VIII not add a farthing to
the national expense. Besides that nobody |
would feel It, Changing conditions have |
wrought corresponding changes in my tariff |
views. And II We are to permanently MAIN |
lain a single gold standard, | shall favor
absolute free trade except al 10 articles |
used only by the wealthy and the prohlgate."
Senator Shoup of Idaho, who reached the |
,ity today expressed the opinion that the |
passage OF the Dingley revenue bill at the |
short session OF congress was improbable