Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-23

Washington, May 22.-The Demo-
cratic Senators held a caucus TODAY
and decided 20 inaugurate their fight
upon the tariff bill as soon as the bin
is taken up in the Senate by a motion
to strike out the internal revenue feat
ures of the bill relating to beer and
tobacco.
This result was reached after a dis
cussion in which practically all the
Senators present participated. The con-
clusi was unanimous that this was
the wise and polite course to pursue.
The talk was based largely upon the
proposition 10 increase the tax upon
beer. which was generally criticised as
an effort to increase the price Of the
poor mans beverage which was pro-
nounced wholly unjustfable in time
of peace and with s120C0o000 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 dosultory and
no conclusion beyond that stated was
reached. The sugar schedule was the
subject Of frequent remark. and there
was discussion of the adyisability of
offering a substitute for IL. but no con-
clusion to that effect was arrived at.
1t was made apparent that every Dem
ocratic Senator would probably vote
against it.
Senator German urged the advisable
ity of the introduction Of a substitute
for the entire bill and a speech in sup
port Of the proposition, but it was soon
made apparent that the sentiment Of
the caucus was almost unanimous in
opposition to this course and the prop
osition was not pressed to a vote.
The general sentiment of the caucus
was opposed to any policy of delay.
No set speeches will be made in open
ing the debate, and there probably Will
be no effort from the Democratic side
Of the chamber to prevent the taking
I'D of the schedules Immediately after
Mr. Aldrichs preliminary statement is
concluded.
The Democrats expect that disagree
ments will develop among the Republic
cans 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 Sen
ator German, chairman, gave out the
following statement concerning it:
The conference of Democratic Sen
ators was held to-day and it was unan-
imously agreed by them that notwith-
standing the delay in furnishing the
comparative statements which would
enable them intelligently TO consider
the bill, there would be NJ opposition
to Immediately proceeding with the
consideration of the same on Tuesday,
as they recognized the business inter-
ests of the country requires speedy
disposition of the question as IS con-
sistent with an intelligent considera-
ton of the measure. They were iurther
unanimously Of the opinion that 'he
excessive increases in rates on import
ed articles provided for both IN inc
Dingley bill and as reported 10 the sen
ate should be antagonizsd only TO the
extent Of exposing their enornllles'
Recognizing. however. that the kepuD-
lican party is committed TO these M
creases. the Democrats will be content
with only a fair discussion upon these
propositions. ,..t.. r,.r.
The Democrats We're further uhan,
imously of the opinion that jn,y "oulu
oppose the increased tax ON oeer' W.
bacco. cigars and the other IeilS ,n
braced in the internal revenue scheu,
mIes. Neither party was coIiInl.,sD .l..
70 such increases, and there Is 10 aI so,
ernmental necessity for i'A ln'i i'''0'
burdens upon those articles