The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-09


! caucus adjourned said it was very success
full and that he felt that the Republicans
were going to stand together on all sched-
ules of the bill and that an agreement
would be reached where differences of opin-
ion existed. Almost the entire time of the
caucus was devoted to consideration of the
sugar schedule; other features where there
| are differences were not reached. No agree
ment was reached in regard to the Hawaiian
treaty and the committee is expected to
report some amendments or a provision
which will not leave the matter in any un-
certain condition or absolutely abrogate the
existing reciprocity provisions of the treaty.
An important feature of the caucus was
the determination reached to vote together
as party, which insures favorable action
on all contested schedules and the passage
OF the bill as approved by the majority
This determination was reached on a sug-
gestion made by Senator Thurston. This
suggestion led to the most interesting in
c1dent OF the caucus. There had been sew
eral references to the meeting as CON
ference" Mr.. Thurston objected to this des-
1gnation, saying that conferences never
bound any one and that he wanted it def
nitely understood whether this meeting
was to be binding or a friendly chat with
bind all senators on all schedules he would
not agree to abide by the decision on the
sugar question. Mr.. Thurston stated that he
was for the House sugar schedule and gave
emphatic notice that unless all Republican
senators agreed to be bound by the caucus
proceedings on all points of difference and
unless the finance committee amendments
should be withdrawn he would oppose the
schedule both by vote and voice on the
floor of the Senate.
HANNA PLEADS FOR HARMONY.
This speech brought Senator Hanna to
his feet with earnest plea for party
harmony and united effort on all features
of the bill. He referred to the apparent
divisions at present existing in the Senate,
and said it was high time that a perfect
understanding was reached. Senator Thur
ston then put his suggestion in the shape
of motion to the effect that the agree
ment of the caucus should be binding on
all Republican senators, and 1t carried by
large majority.
The main propositions on the sugar
schedule were those fixing the rate on re-
fined sugar. There were three of these
propositions. The one adopted fixing the
rate at at io 95-lOO OF cent per pound in place
OF l S75-lGOO, as fixed by the House bill, was
suggested by Senator Spooner. Senator
Perkins suggested 3-16, and Senator Wei
lington the rate of the House bill The last
amendments were voted down viva voce,
and the Spooner amendment accepted by
an almost unanimous vote. There was no
originally offered by the Senate lnance
committee, and no proposition was made
to that effect by any one. Senators Allison
and Aldrlch expressed the opinion that the
schedule, prepared by their committee.
was equitable, and that it's provisions were
misunderstood.
Mr. Aldrich, who is generally credited
with the authorship of the finance commit
tee provisions, had been expected TO stand
out Stiffy for the amendments, but he did
not do so. He said that his interest in
the success of the tariff revision a whole
was superior to his interest in any partic-
ular schedule that he had no prize in the
withStanding his conviction that the COM
mittee rates were equitable and in the line
of Republican policy he was willing to sub
ordinate his judgment to that of the ma
jority. The announcement was received
with demonstrations of approval Speeches
were made by almost all the senator's
present. Mr.. Hoar made a vigorous speech
for unity of action, but said the sugar
schedule should be definitely agreed upon
at this time and put In such shape as to
terminate the unfriendly criticism that had
been aroused.
Senator Frye asked the caucus to consd-
er the necessity of protecting the Hawaiian
reciprocity treaty and made a speech. in
that behalf. This occurred early in the pro-
ceedings and the Hawaiian question was
apparently lost sight of in the subsequent
proceedings over the main features of the
schedule. The caucus was compelled TO adj
journ at noon, when the Senate met and
was unable to take up any other question.
Senators generally were OF the opinion that
with the Hawaiian question undlSpoSed OF,
the sugar question was not finally settled,
but there was no agreement for a future
caucus.
The failure of the caucus to take steps
looking to the protection of the Hawaiian
reciprocity treaty has caused considerable
comment but the friends of Hawaii in the
Senate say that the ommission was due
to no other reason than the want of suf-
fcient tim e.They feel confident that if the
point had been reached an amendment SIM
liar to that proposed by Senator Davis con-
tinuing the treaty in force would have been
accepted. They base this assertion on the
manner in which Senator Frye's speech
was received and the side remarks made
on the subject. They now express the ut
most confidence that the finance committee
will accept the amendment without caucus
action. Senator Frye's speech was a zeal
Gus appeal for the maintenance of the old
treaty. He said that Pearl Harbor was
ceded to the United States in exchange for
the concession to Hawaiian sugar by this
country, and declared that its abrogation at
this time would be an act of bad faith