Evening star., 1896-11-28
T REE DEM OC RATS
Two Senators and One Member of the House
Interviewed.
They Give Their Views as to the
Probability of Tariff and FL
nancinl LegislatiOn.

Next to Senator Jones Of Arkansas, Sena-
tor Harris of Tennessee will probably be
recognized as tie leader of the democrats
in the approaching and future sessions Of
Congress. Senator Harris today said to a
Star reporter that he would oppose the
Dingley bill or any other tariff measure,
and that IL it is shown that more revenue
Is needed he would be in favor of a tax
on beer, es Is proposed In some circles.
These ideas of Senator Harris will have
weight In the democratic caucIses which
are called to consider what position the
democrats will take on tariff and other
matters.
Senator Pugh Of Alabama, who has been
in the city several days, also talked with a
Star reporter on the same subjects. These
leaders were asked about the Cuban situa-
tion, and talked on this subject.
II am favorably inclined to recognize the
Cubans as belligerents," said Senator Har-
ris. That has been my position for
long time. and my views have undergone
no change" Senator Harris did not say
what he thought should be done in the
Cuban matter at the coming session, ex-
pressing himself quoted.
Or tariff legislation Senator Harris said:
II am opposed to high tariff, and would
oIpose the Dingley bill or any tariff bill
which proposes to raise the tariff. would
IOl resort 10 HllDuSteTlnS OF any measure
of that kind to defeat tariff legislation or
TO prevent the republicans putting bill
through, but would legitimately fight it."
In case it is shown that more revenue
is needed. what would be your plan to
furnish it? Have you noticed the talk
al out taxing Deer?"
IF it should appear that more revenue is
Needed" said the Senator, Il should favor
of raising the money. 1 consider this plan
an economic and good one."
Senator PuEh Talks.
Before expressing an opinion and before
deciding what 1 will do in case of action
on Cuba" said Senator Pugh. Il will wait
for the executive department to communi-
cate and for the proper committees to act
and present their views. Then 1 will make
up my mind. What 1 will do depends on
what is done by these sources. My sympa-
thies are with the Cubans. but don't want
to do anything to precipitate a war with
Spain. / want to deal with the matter as
1t deserves. / do not want any haSty ac-
ton. l am for Cuba in every way except
that involving war. I am not in the busi-
ness of creating the Independence of other
nations when this country is likely TO be
plunged into war to attain that end
Senator Pugh said he heard very little
about the Cuban affairs when he was at his
home In Alabama.
uoh peAeHe there VIII NC any edi ~
legislation at the coming session." said
Senator Pugh THE logic of the situa-
tion will postpone tariff until the next
Congress. / haven't consulted with any
democratic Senator as to what the position
of the party may be on this question. 1
don't think there is any general purpose.
The position to be taken will be decided
when the members get here
Replying to the same question put to
Senator Harris as to a tax on beer, SEMI
tor Pugh said: Il voted for a tax on beer
at the last session and would do so again.
An additional tax of 81 a barrel would
give $25.UO.OOO or $3O.WO,OOO more a year.
and no public consideration ought to pre-
tax. and 1t would serve the purpose. The
republicans might have something to kick
about. but the placing of a tax on beer
would hurt nobody. The extra cost to the
consumer would be a mere trif1e, so little
that he would never notice it."
Talking about caucuses, Senator Pugh
said he had no idea what the gold demo-
Gratis would do. He was in favor of hay-
trg them caucus with the other democrats
on tariff questions.
Mr.. Catchings' Views.
Il do not believe" said Representative
Catch.rgs of Mississippi, that anything
will be done in the way of tariff legisla-
tion at the coming session. There Is al
ways lot Of talk about what will be done
at the short sessions. but it never amounts
to much. outside of the work which has
tc be done. l have no idea that the repub-
llcanS would consent to a tax On beer
They will put a higher tariff on nearly
everything, and raise revenue that way