Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-23
TO FIGHT THE BILL.
DEMOCRATIC SENATE PLAN TO
COMBAT DINGLEYIsM.
BEER And TOBACCO TAX.
Motion VIII he Made to Strike Out
Provisions Relating to These
Articles-Increascd burdens on
Them Unnecessary.

WASHINGTON, May 22.-The Demo-
cratic senators held caucus to-day and
decided to insugurate their fight upon
the tariff bill as soen as the bill is taken
up In the Senate, by motion to strike
out the internal revenue features OF
the bill relating 10 beer and tobacco.
This result was reached after a discus
sion in which practically all the sena-
tors present participated. The conclu-
sion was unanimous that this was the
wise and polite course to pursue.
The talk was based largely upon the
proposition to increase the tax upon
beer, which was generally criticised as
an effort TO increase the price of 1.-The
poor mans beverage" which was pro-
nounced wholly unjustihsb bic in time of
peace and with $l20oeo,cOs OF idle money
in the Treasury. The proposed beer tax
was condemned as a war tax.
The discussion Of other features OF the
tariff bill was only desubory, and no
conclusion beyond that stated was
reached. The sugar schedule was tho
subject of frequent remarks. and there
was discussion Of the advisaDility Of Of
fering a substitute for it, but no con-
clusion to that effect was arrived at.
1t was made apparent that every Demo-
cratic senator present would probably
vote against it. Senator German urged
the advisabllty of the Introduction of a
substitute for the entire bill, and made
a speech in support OF the proposition,
but II was soon made apparent that tho
sentiment Of the caucus was almost
unanimous in opposition to this course,
and the proposition was not pressed to
a vote.
Mr.. German gave only a brief outline
Of substitute. He said he thought
bill could be prepared which would levy
a revenue duty on tea and coffee ana
other articles. which would increase the
government customs receipts suihciently
to make the Wilson bill satisfactory
and thus score a point Of importance
AGAINST DELAY.
The general sentiment Of the caucus
was opposed to any policy Of delay. no
set speeches will be made in opening the
debate and there probably viii he no
effort from the Democratic side OF the
chamber to prevent the taking up or the
schedules Immediately after Mr.. Aldrich's
preliminary statement is concluded.
The Democrats expect that disagree
ments will develop among the RepuDi-
cans, and for this reason no general
opinion was expressed in the caucus as
to the time that viii be consumed by
the debate. AZ the conclusion OF the
caucus, Senator German. the chairman,
gave out the following statement concern
ing it:
"A conference of Democratic senators
was held to-day, and Il was unanimously
agreed by them that, Notwithstanding the
delay in furnishing the comparative state
nents which would enable them intelli-
gently to consider the bill, there would
be no opposition to Immediately proceed
ing with the consideration of the same
on Tuesday. as they recognized that the
business interests of the country require
as speedy a disposition OF the question
as IS consistent with an intelligent con-
sideratiOn OF the measure. They were
further unanimously of the opinion that
the excessive increase of rates on i'm
ported articles provided for by the Ding
ley bill, and as reported to the Senate,
should be antagonized only TO the extent
of exposing their enOrmities. Recognize
ing, however, that the Republican party
is committed to these Increases the
Democrats will be content with only
fair discussion upon these propositions.
"The Democrats were further unani-
mously Of the opinion that they would
oppose the increased tax on beer, tobac-
CO. cigars, and other items embraced in
the internal-reycnue schedules Neither
party is committed to such Increases and
there is TO governmental necessity for
such increased burdens upon these ar
ticles."
Senator Aldrch. of the Republican side
of the Senate Finance Committee, eX-
pressed the opinion when informed Of
the decision of the Democrats 20 move
to strike out the internal-revenue part OF
the bill, that the motion would fail. He
said II was most unusual, not 10 say un-
precedented," TO attack the last part OF
the bill first. He said he had heard no
from any source OF the pro-
vision TO increase the beer-tax.