The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-23
POOR MAN BEVERAGE
democrats VIII Attack the
Beer and Tobacco Tax.
a WAR TAX ON BEER
AND JTNNECESSARY WITH MIL
LIONS OF IDLE MONEY IN
TREASURY.
! WAR TAX ON BEER
GoRMAN WANTS A SUBSTITUTE
But the Democratic Senatorial Caucus
is Cppo. ed to Any Policy OF
DELAY in Passing the
Tariff Bill.

washington. May 22.-The Democratic
Senators held caucus to-day and decl
dad to iuaugurate their fight upon the
to,;ff hill as soon as the bill Us takeI
ND in the Senate by motion TO strikt
ont the internal revenue features OF the
hill rehting to beer and tobacco.
This result was reached after discus
sion in which practically all the Senators
present participated. The conclusion was
unanimous that this was the wise
political course to pursue. The talk was
based largely upon the proposition to in
crease the tax upon beer. which was
generally criticised as an effort to IN
crease the price of 1.-The poor mans bever'
age" which was pronounced wholly un-
iustifable in time of peace and with
$4,000, 600 of idle money in the Treas
ury. The proposed beer tax was con-
demned as a war tax.
The discussion of other features of the
tariff bill was only desultory and no con-
clusion beyond that stated was reached.
The sugar schedule was the subject OF
frequent remarks, and there was dis
c,,ssion of the adyisability Of offering q
substitute for it, but no conclusion to
that effect was arrived at. 1t. was made
apparent that every DemocrNtic Senator
would probably vote against it. :
Senator German urged the advisability
of the introduction OF a substitute for the
entire bill and q speech in support OF the
proposition but it was soon made appar-
ient that the sentiment Of the caucus was
almost unanimous in opposition to TINS
course and the. proposition was not
pressed to a vote. Mr.. German gave only
a BRIEF outline of substitute. He said
he thought bill lcould be; prepared
which would levy revenue duty on tea
and coffee and other articles which would
increase the government fvcustom - re-
ceipts sufficiently to make the Wilson
bill satisfactory and thus Score point
of importance. F1
The general sentiment of the caucus
was opposed to any policy of delay. No
set speeches will be made in opening the
debate and there probably will be no
effort from the Democratic side Of the
chamber to prevent the taking up OF the
schedules Immediately after Mr.. Al
driche's preliminary statement Is con-
cluded.
The Democrats expect that disagree
ments will develop among the Republi-
cans and for this reason no general opm-
ion was expressed in the caucus as to
the time that will be consumed by the
debate.
At the conclusion Of the caucus Sena-
tor German, chairman, gave out the 1oi'
lowing statement concerning it:
''The conference of Democratic Sena'
tors was held to-day and it was unanl.
mously agreed by them, that ndtwlth-
standing the delay in furnishing the com
parative statements which would enable
them intelligently to consider the bill,
there would be no opposition to imme-
diately proceeding with the considerable
Of the same on Tuesday, as they recogna-
zed the business interests OF the country
require as speedy a disposition OF Gne
question as is consistent with an mtefn'
gent consideration of the measure. Iney
were further unanimously Of the opinion
that the excessive increases IN rates on
imported articles provided for both IN tnt
Dingley bill and as reported to the Sen
ate should be antagonized only to the ex'
tent Of exposing their enormities. hecoe
nizing, however, that the Republican par
ty is committed to these increases tne
Democrats will be content with only
fair discussion upon these propositions.
"The Democrats were further unahl
mously Of the opinion that they wouid op
pose the increased tax on beer, toDacSo
cigars and other items embraced I'D tns
internal revenue schedules. NeTther par
ty was committed to such increases ant
there is no governmental necessary io e..
such increased burdens uOpn these arti
cles"
Senator Ahrich, Of the Republican sue
Of the Finance committee, expressed Iil'
opinion when informed Of the decision =
the Democrats to move to strike OUT TN
internal revenue part of the bill that un
motion would fail. He said Ut was mos
unusual not to say unprecedented 70 a.
tack the last part of the bill first. he saN
he had heard no criticisms from ah'
source of the provision to increase III
beer tax.