The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-27
REPUBLICAN TARIFF CAUCUS
1T PRODUCED A WIDE DIVERG-
ENCE OF OPINION ON MANY
SCHEDULES.
SCHEME 70 preserve HARMONY.
A Resolution Agreed to Referring
All Amendments by Republican
Members of the Finance COM
mittee-Other Matters.

Washington, May 24-The republican
caucus today emphasized the fact that
there is n wide divergence of opinion
among the republican senators on rates
of duty fixed in the various schedules of
the tariff bill The senators were in eau
Gus nearly four hours The only official
announcement that was made after the
caucus adjourned was that it was decided
to appoint three senators in addition to
the republican members of the finance
committee who are to act as commit
tee to assist in getting the tariff bill
through the senate. 1t was generally
stated, however, that an agreement had
been reached that there should be no set
speeches on the bill from the republican
side except that of Senator Aldrich
which is to be delivered tomorrow.
A resolution, or memorial memorandum,
offered by Senator Burrows, was agreed
to by those present, which sets forth that
the sense of those present. there not be-
ing full attendance of the caucus. was
that republican senators having amend
W outl pIcSeHt 10 lUe
republican members of the finance COM
mittee, and if the amendments are ap-
proved by the committee they are to be
offered in the senate. If disapproved the
senator's presenting them are to have the
right to submit them to the republican
caucus, which is to be called upon each
schedule if amendments to it are pro-
posed.
The finance committee is to hold a SEES
sion each evening for the purpose of hear
ing propositions from republican senators
and to decide upon the ACCESSIBILITY of pre-
senting such amendments in the senate
The object of this proposition is to pre-
vent the republicans from dividing upon
various schedules which might be pre-
scented. The necessity of this arrange
ment was developed by the debate and
the various contentious of senators.
In the early part of the caucus Senator
Aldrich was called upon for an explana-
ton of the bill and some of the amend
ments. During the remarks, Senator Gull
lon called for a statement on the sugar
schedule, over which there had been so
much controversy. The explanation pre-
scented was largely technical, but the sem
ators who heard him understood that the
house schedule would largely exclude the
coarse and low grade from Java, the Phil
ippine Islands and other points.
The protection in the senate bill was
Is per cent and equalized the high pro-
lection on low grades and high grades.
The effect of the house schedule would be
to shut out the lower and cheaper grades
of sugar, the system of compound duties
presented by the senate bill being for the
purpose Of making this equality. The
average rate in the senate bill was "a
per cent, with differential of one-eighth
of cent on refined sugar. Senator AL
drich said that this was not as advan-
tageous to the sugar refiners as the house
bill. The explanation seemed to cause
general satisfaction, at least no one ques-
toned the senator further
There was some discussion upon the
length of time the bill should be under
discussion in the senate. Senator Mason
suggested that as soon as the opening
speeches were made. move should be
taken toward having vote on the bill
in two weeks. 1t was decided to ask
that after the debate had run along for
week that the senate begin its sessions
at II o'clock and sit until $50, and have
evening sessions from 3 to IL.
Debate on the various schedules con-
sumed the time of the caucus A great
deal of opposition was developed to the
increased tax on beer and duty on tea.
Senators Plat Of New York, Hanna Of
Ohio and Spooner of Wisconsin were es-
pecially vigorous in their opposition to
the increased tax on beer. 1t was pointed
out the democrats had already stated
their opposition to the tax and. would
make an effort TO have the senate COM
mittee amendment eliminated They
thought it would be wise to have an ar
rangement effected which would relieve
republicans of embarrassment 1t was
determined that efforts should be made
to secure the revenue both from beer and
tea from stamp tax which would ac-
complish the same result
Western senators referred to wool
schedule. Senator Warren of Wyoming.
appearing as the spokesman for the wool
growers of the west, said the duties pro-
posed by the committee were in his indg-
ment inadequate, and he thought there
should be increases ON the line OF amend
ments proposed by western senators.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts spoke
against the duty on hides, saying he did
not see how he could avoid voting for
an amendment which placed hides on the
free list This statement raised storm
among western men, who said that II
such n method was proposed they would
be compelled to vote for placing certain
articles on the free list or reducing the
duty upon them. They did not expect
the democrats would vote with them to
increase duties. The westerners an
nOunced to settle with the eastern men
who voted to reduce duties on their
products by voting to reduce the duties
on articles which their people purchased
and did not produce. 1t was this state
of affairs that brought forth the PROPOSE
ton of Senator Burrows to submit pro-
posed changes to the republican members
of the finance committee and then to the
caucus.
There was no talk of boiling and no
senator said he would vote against the
bill as whole. 1t was on the matter
of schedules that they disagreed.
The question of abrOgating the Hawaii
treaty caused n lively debate. Senator
Aldrich stated that the committee intend
ed to bring in amendment to this portion
of the bill. Senator Frye opposed the
abrogation in the strongest possible terms,
while Senator Nelson of Minnesota made
a vigorous speech in support of the COM
mittee amendment, declaring the revenue
which would be raised on the duty of
Hawaiian sugar would be greater than
that which the committee expected TO get
from tea. He declared the admission Of
Hawaiian sugar free was in the interest
of the sugar refDers and the consumers
received no benefit from it.
sundry Civil Bill Agreed to.
Washington, May 24.-The conferees on
the sundry civil appropriation bill have