Evening star., 1897-03-08
THE COMING CAUCUS
House Republicans to Consider a Line
of Action.
No Contest Over the Omces-The Stu.
alton Regarding Rules, Tariff,
Silver and Appropriations.

The republicans of the House will caucus
Saturday evening. There is no contest over
the speakership. and none of consequence
is anticipated over other officers. 1t is ex-
pected, therefore. that the caucus will be
devoted chiefly TO a discussion OF a gen.
eral line of policy. Members who are anx-
ious to know in advance whether any gen
eral legislation is to be attempted during
the special session and who want certain
questions to be considered will probably be
allowed a full discussion Of the matter in
caucus, and some general understanding
may be reached. 1t is likely that the ques-
ton of rules may be taken up and the
sense of the caucus ascertained informally
on proposition to liberalize the practices
of the House. There is strong sentiment
in favor of leaving more power for action
in the hands of the membership of the
House.
Mr.. Reeds Wishes.
The statement has been made that 1t is
Mr.. Reeds desire that the House should
hold back the appropriation bills that fail
ed In the Fifty-fourth Congress until after
the Senate shall have acted on the tariff
measure that the House will pass. This
statement involves an ignorance of the
situation that Mr.. Reed could hardly be
guilty of. Inasmuch the appropriation
hills have to originate in the House, re-
sponsibility for delay in action these
Measures cannot be put upon the Senate
by withholding action them in the
House. The idea advanced is that the
Senate might be led to hasten action on
the tariff In order to get at the appropria-
ton bills.
The Tariff Situation.
The situation to the tariff appears to
be very simple, and it is not likely that
action can be hastened by any manipula-
| ton of the appropriation bills. 1t is ex-
pected to take about two weeks to get
the bill through the House after it is re-
ported, and in the Senate the opposition
VIII probably not attempt to delay action
| beyond the time they will want to consume
| in actual consideration in the committee
and debate in the Senate. The caIcula ton
| is that this will take forty forty-five
days and there is no probability of delay
longer than that being attempted.
No Silver Attachment Intended.
There is an understanding among most
| of the members of the opposition that they
| will not attempt to attach silver legislation
to the tariff bill or enter upon any sort of
| a flibuster, against the bill. They have
| the power, if they are not deserted by any
| of their recognized followers. to organize
| the Senate, and they intend to take pos
| session of the finance committee, and prob
J ably of all the rest, but their policy is not
| to interfere with tariff legislation.
| The House will probably take up the de-
| layed appropria ton bills as soon as the
| tariff bill is passed, and will send them 10
| the Senate as soon as they can be passed
| 1t is necessary that the general deficiency
| should become a law about the 1st of May.
| as provision is made in it for the customs
| service for May and June. If this appro-
| priation is not made there will be no pro-
| vision for the collection of revenue
| through the customs service during those
| two months.