The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-23
They VIII Make Motion to Strike
out the IntcrnaI-Rcvenue Features
of the Amended Tariff Bill.
STATEMENT BY Mr.. GORMAN
CONSIDERATION OF THE DILL TUES
DAY WILL NOT BE OPPOSED.
Neither VIII FiIibustering Tactics be
ties on Imported Articles.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May 22.-The revised and
reconstructed tariff bill will be brought up
in the Senate on Tuesday next, for that
body viii probably adjourn Monday in re-
spect to the late Senator Earle. Senator
Aldrich, the spokesman of the Republican
members of the finance committee, who
took "A leading part in framing the measure,
will explain its provisions in detail to the
Senate Preliminary to consideration of
the bill in the Senate the Republican SEN
ators will hold caucus on Monday morn
ing to agree on plan for controlling the
time Of debate, which, under the rules of
the Senate, can only be done by an ami
cable understanding. 1t is probable that
the work of considering the schedules will
begin promptly without any formal prelimi-
nary speeches on either side, except that of
Senator Aldrch and possibly rejoinder
from Senator Vest, member of the finance
committee, for the Democrats. On both
sides of the chamber there is an apparently
sincere desire to dispose of the bill at the
earliest day possible.
The Democratic senators held caucus to-
day and decided to inaugurate their fight
on the tariff bill as soon as it is taken up in
the Senate by a motion to strike out the in
ternal revenue features of the bill relating
TO beer and tobacco. This result was
reached after a discussion in which practi-
cally all the senators present participated
The conclusion was unanimous that this
was the wise and politics course to pursue
The talk was based largely on the PROPOSE
ton to increase the tax on beer, which was
generally criticised an effort to increase
the price of the poor mans beverage,
which was pronounced wholly unjustifable
IN time of peace, and with $l200OO,OOO of
idle money in the treasury The proposed
beer tax was condemned as a war tax. The
discussion of other features of the tariff
was only desultory, and no conclusion be-
yond that stated was reached.
The sugar schedule was the subject of
frequent remark and there was discussion
of the advisability of Offering a substitute
for it, but no conclusion to that effect was
arrived at. 1t was made apparent that
every Democratic senator present would
probably vote against it. Senator German
urged the adVisabihCy of the Introduction
OF "a substitute Tor the entire Dill, ana mace
a speech in support of the proposition, but
It was soon made apparent that the sentl-
ment OF the caucus was almost unanimous
in opposition 10 this course, and the propo-
eitiOn was not pressed to a vote. Mr.. Cor
man gave only a brief outline of a substi-
tute. He said he thought a bill could be
prepared which would levy a revenue duty
on tea and coffee and other articles which
ceipts sufficiently to make the Wilson bill
satisfactory, and thus score q point of i'm
pOrtanCe. The general sentiment of the
caucus opposed to any policy of delay.
No set speeches will be made in opening
debate. and there probably will be no effort
from the Democratic side of the chamber
20 prevent the taking up of the schedules
immediately after Mr.. Aldrich's prelimi-
nary statement is concluded. The Demo-
Gratis expect that disagreement will develop
among the Republicans, and for this reason
no general opinion was expressed in the
caucus as to the time that will be consumed
by the debate.
At the conclusion of the caucus Sena-
tor German, chairman, gave out the follow
ing statement concerning it: The confer
enCe of Democratic senators was held to-
day, and it was unanimously agreed by
ntShing the comparative statements which
would enable them intelligently to consider
the bill, there would be no opposition to
Immediately proceeding with consideration
of the same on Tuesday, as they recognized
the business interests OF the country require
as speedy a disposition of the question as
IS consistent with an intelligent consider
alton of the measure. They were further
unanimously of the opinion that the excess
siVe increases in rates on imported articles
provided for both in the Dingley bill and
as reported to the Senate should be antag-
OniZcd only to the extent of exposing their
enormites. Recognizing, however, that the
Republican party is committed to these in
Crea5es, the Democrats will be content with
only fair discussion on these pronosi-
mOuSly of the opinion that they would OPP
pose the increased tax on beer. tobacco
cigars and the other items embraced in the
tnternal-reVenue schedules. Neither party
was committed to such increases and there
Is no governmental necessity for such in
a