The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-15
PARTY IN POWER PERPLExED.
CAUCUS WREsTLEs WITH THREE
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES.

A Proposition to Give n Bounty on
Beet Sugar Withdrawn After ATS
Defeat Became seIf-Evident-The
Question of Adding an AntI-Trust
Amendment to the Tarifr Bill Goes
over to the Next MeetinG-simiIar
Action on TIA Hawaiian ReciprOcI-
ty Treaty.
Washington, June 14--The republican
senators were in caucus for more than
three hours tonight, and when adjourn
ment was reached, not very much progress
had been made.
The Hawaiian treaty proposition was
passed over to be considered at another
caucus, as several senators expressed the
opinion that IL 1t was true that a treaty of
annexation was to be sent in It would be
absurd to enact legislation looking to the
abrogation of the treaty of reciprocity
Members who were aware of the progress
of the annexation treaty did not feel at
liberty to give the caucus full information.
Although there was much reticence observ-
ed, it was believed the President would
be consulted tomorrow on the subject of
the proposed treaty.
The caucus was in session from s until
1880 o'clock and three propositions only
were under consideration. These were:
The question what to do with the Hawaiian
reciprocity treaty, the advisability of Civ
ing bounty on beet sugar, and the ques-
ton OF an antitrust amendment.
The bounty proposition was withdrawn
and the antitrust amendment was re-
ferred to the republican members Of the
Judiciary committee.
The Hawaiian question was the first
matter taken up after the caucus opened.
This subject had been referred to the
finance committee, and Senator Allison.
speaking on behalf of the committee said
that II had been deemed advisable to pass
the matter on account Of the strong prob
ability Of more important happenings In
| connection with Hawaii. He did not
speak in terms of an annexation treaty,
but he said that it was to be presumed that
senators had read the afternoon report
of the Associated Press. He was under
stood by all the Senators present to refer
TO the reports that treaty Of anneXa-
tion had been negotiated, and Senator
Eyre, speaking In behalf Of the friends Of
the reciprocity treaty, said that in view
OF these Developments they were satisfied
to have the subject postponed until fur
ther developments in connection with the
general question Of our future relations to
Hawaii
The proposition of beet sugar bounty
was then broached by Senator Gear Of
Iowa, who proposed that a bounty be given
of half-cent per pound per annum, de-
creasing at the rate Of one-tenth of a cent
year for five years, when the bounty
shall cease.
Tbo
senators as being based upon an objection
able system. 1t was supported by Sena-
tors Gear, Thurston ana Shoup. The two
last named senators In their reports, dwell
especially upon the necessity for a bounty
In case sugar was to continue to come in
free, saying that with the competition of
oriental labor, by which the sugar was
produced, it would be impossible to estab-
iish the beet sugar industry In the United
States without some such announcement
as bounty would give They took ooca-
sion, incidentally to score the Hawaiian
reciprocity treaty as a blight upon Amerl-
can industries and to express the hope that
If annexation should fail, the reciprocity
treaty would be cancelled forthwith
There was such determined opposition to
the bounty plan that Mr.. Gear first re-
duced the figures 20 a of a cent per pound
| ana then withdrew Ii entirely without
risking a vote on ii.
The principal speech on the question Of
the advisability of an antitrust amend
ment affecting the entire bill which was
the next matter taken up, was made by
Senator Carter OF Montana, who moved
that the subject be referred to the repub-
lican member OF the judiciary committee
with instructions TO investigate the ques-
ton thoroughly with the view of deciding
what action could be taken to limit trusts
within the bounds Of federal constitn-
Init "a I.f Il
ment and Nelson substitute was before
the caucus, and there was an evident de-
sire on the part of some of the senator's
particularly Mr. Nelson, to have lmmedi-
ate action.
Mr.. Carter stated that he was as anxious
as any senator could be to enact efficient
antitrust legislation, but Il was he said
all important that whatever action was
taken should be IN proper form and be
able to stand a judicial test He urged
the party In very strong terms TO take hold
of the trust question at the present time
saying II was going TO be without doubt
the important question Of the future. He
expressed the opinion that both the tariff
and finance questions would soon be sub
ordinate 10 that Of the trusts. There was
no division on Mr.. Carters proposition to
refer the matter 20 the judiciary commit
tee. II was the understanding that an
early report would be made 20 the repub-
lican caucus.
In accordance with the action OF the
caucus, when the sugar schedule is taken
up in the Senate tomorrow, and the vot-
Ing stage is reached on the Pettlgrew
amendment against trusts. Senator Ali
son will ask that the vote be postponed
until the consideration OF the tariff bin
as a whole shall be completed. lie also
VIII ask 10 have the Hawaiian reciprocity
question postponed for the present.
----s--e-s----
MORTAL nUET or MooNgIrrxrrus