The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-23
TAX ON BEER AND TOBACCO.
DEMOCRATS TO ATTACK THE DING
LEY BILL SCHEME.

The Policy Decided on at n Caucus
of the Democratic senators-The
scheme 10 Increase the Tax on
Beer Criticised rs an Effort to in
crease the Price of the Poor Mans
Beverngc-AdviEabII of Offering
n Substitute for the Sugar Schedule
Discussed-NO substitute for the
Entire Bill 10 he offered.
Washington, May 22.-The democratic
senator's held caucus to-day and decided
to lnaugurate their fight upon the tariff
bill as soon as the bill is taken up in the
Senate by a motion to strike out the in
ternal revenue features Of the bill relating
to beer and tobacco.
This result was reached after discuss
sion, in which practically all the senator's
present participated. The conclusion was
unanimous that this was the wise and poll
lite course to pursue The talk was bas-
ed largely upon the proposition to increass
the tax upon beer, which was generally
criticised as an effort TO increase the price
of the poor mans beverage, which was
pronounced wholly unjustihable In time Of
peace and with $i2O.OOOOOO of idle money
In the treasury. The proposed beer taN
was condemned as a war tax.
The discussion of other features of tha
tariff bill was only desultory. and no con-
cluslon beyond that stated was reacheda
The sugar schedule was the subject oe
frequent remark, and there was discuss
sion of the advisabiity of Offering a subs
a. hut -,
feet was arrived at. 1t was made appar-
ent that every democratic senator present
would probably vote against 1t.
Senator German urged the advisabllity of
the Introduction of a substitute for the en-
tire bill and made speech In support oe
the proposition. but It was soon made ap-
parent that the sentiment of the caucus
was almost unanimous in opposition to
this course and the proposition was not
pressed to vote. Mr. German gave only
a brief outline Of a substitute. He said
he thought a bill could be prepared that
would levy revenue duty on tea, coffee
and other articles which would Increase the
customs receipts sufficiently to make the
Wilson bill satisfactory. and thus score
point of importance. The general sem
timent of the caucus was opposed to any
policy Of delay
No set speeches will be made in opening
the debate and there will probably be no
effort from the democratic side OF the
chamber to prevent taking up the sched-
ules Immediately after Mr.. Aldrich's pre-
liminary statement Is concluded.
The democrats expect that disagree-
ments will develop among the republicans
an M aram al pnfp rrfaaa
expressed In the caucus as 20 the time that
will be consumed by the debate.
Al the conclusion of the caucus Senator
German. the chairman, gave out the fol-
lowing statement concerning IL: THE con-
ference OF democratic senators was held
to-day. ana Il was unanimously agreed
by them that, Notwithstanding the delay
in furnishing the comparative statements
which would enable them intelligently to-
consider the bill, there would be no OPP
position to Immediately proceeding with
the consideration Of the same on Tues
day, as they recognized that the business
interests Of the country need az speedy a
disposition Of the question as Is consists
ent with an intelligent consideration OF
the measure. They are further unani-
mously OF the opinion that the excessive
Increases In rates on Imported articles
provided for both la the Dingley bill ana
as reported to the Senate should be an
their enormities. Recognizing, however,
that the republican party Is committed To-
these increases, the democrats will ba
content with only a fair discussion upon
these propositions
"The democrats were further unani-
mously Of the opinion that they would op-
pose the Increased tax on beer, tobacco.
cigars and the other commodities ems
braced In the Internal revenue schedules.
Neither party was committed to such In
creases, and there was no governmental
necessity for such increased burdens upon
these articles"
Senator Aldrlch of the republican Side
of the finance committee expressed tho
opinion, when Informed OF the decision. OF
the democrats 20 move TO strike out the
internal revenue part Of the bill, that tho
motion would fail. He said II was most
unusual. not TO say unprecedented, TO at
tack the last part of the bill first" He
said he had heard no criticism from any
source OF the provisions 70 increase tbs
beer tax.
POSTAL DELEGATfss AT OLD POINT,