The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-09
THE TARIFF BILL.
Republican Senatorial Caucus Orders
1t Reported without Change.

WASHINGTON, Jan. &-The feature of
the Republican senatorial caucus held to-
day was discussion of the advisability of
amending the House tariff bill by adding
a free coinage amendment to II i'm the Sen
ate. This discussion was confined largely
to the free coinage wing OF the party. The
result Of the meeting was the adoption OF
Senator Quay's resolution, introduced yes
terday, expressing the sense of the caucus
to be that the finance committee should
report the bill as it came from the House.
with verbal changes which will not alter
the meaning of the measure i'm any essen
tial feature. There was no roll call on
this but there were few dissenting voices.
There was no formal effort to bind the
Senators to support the bill when it should
come before the Senate, and ii was left
open to amendments at that Stage or the
proceedings
1t was while the advisability of attempt
ing to secure pledge of support was un>
der consideration that the silver question
came up. 1t was sprung by a question as
to what the silver Republicans would do
in case a free silver amendment should be
offered to the tariff bill in the Senate Sem
ator Mitchell, of Oregon, was the first TO
respond to this inquiry. He stated that he
to secure the adoption Of the free coinage
substitute for the House bond bill. but that
with the silver question disposed Of in that
connection he would advise that the silver
Republicans refrain from participating in
any effort that might be made to amend
the tariff bill by adding a free coinage pro-
vision. Senator Carter followed in the same
line of argument. advising united action on
the part OF the silver Republicans In oppo-
sition to such an amendment in the event
of the previous passage OF the silver SUBJ
stitute for the bond bill. He said that he
thought their action on the bond bill would
be a sufficient indication to the country OF
their attitude. He did not say that he
would oppose such an amendment by his
and unanimous action by his silver col
leagues. but urged them strenuously TO
agree to this line of action:
senator Teller announced his intention 10
vote for a silver amendment If offered from
any source, without announcing any purpose
of presenting such an amendment himself.
He talked very earnestly on the subject, say
ing that he had. when the Mckinley bill
was before Congress in 1890, foregone the
opportunity to amend the measure with
free coinage provision on the representation
that the bill with such amendment would
be vetoed, only to be told afterward by the
friends Of that bill that the Sherman silver
bill was passed as the only hope of defeat
ing free coinage He declared he would not
again be placed in that predicament. Brief
speeches were also made on this feature OF
the question by Senator's Dubois, Mantle,
Shoupe and others.
There was a sufficiently general expression
OF opinion among the silver Senators TO
show that there were not to exceed a half
dozen who would hold out again unanimous
agreement to refrain from voting for a sill
yer amendment, and this showing was such
as TO lead the anti-silver men in the caucus
to conclude that If those who had expressed
themselves against the policy OF amend
ment could be induced TO vote against these
amendments regardless of the action of their
colleagues they could defeat silver amend
ment when offered. Senator Baker an
nounced himself as friendly to the PROPOSE
ton to coin the American silver product,
and said he would offer an amendment to
this effect to both the bond and the tariff
bills. Mr.. Baker also reiterated his declara-
ton Of yesterday 10 disregard the iastruc-
tons OF the caucus and vote against the bill
unless amended on protection lines. There
was a general expression of opinion that the
bill, whether amended or unamended In the
Senate, never would become a law. Several
Senators expressed the opinion that ID could
not receive executive sanction.
After the conclusion of the tariff bill an
effort was made 10 proceed TO consideration
of the reorganization of the Senate by the
election of general officers, but the meeting
adjourned without taking up this PROPOSE
ton. Immediately after adjournment call
was circulated for caucus tomorrow TO
consider this question, and IL is understood
that a sufficient number OF signatures was
received to insure caucus for that purpose
at the time specified.