The Portland daily press., 1897-06-09
REPUBLICANS AGREE TO AGREE.
Ttnpo:t ant Action Taken BY Senators at
Caucus Yesterday.

Washington, June S.-The Republican
caucus today was well attended, nearly
every Republican Senator in the city be-
ing present. Senator Aldrich of Rhode
Island, presided and after the caucus adj
journed, said it was very successful, and
that the Republicans were going to stand
together on all schedules of the BILL and
that an agreement would be reached
where differences of opinion existed. AL
most the entire time of the caucus was
devoted to the consideration of the sugar
schedule; other features where there are
differences were not reached.
An important feature of the caucus was
the determination reached to vote together
as a party which insures favorable action
on all contested schedules and the passage
of the bill as approved by the majority.
Mr. Thurston wanted it definitely
understood whether this meeting was to
be binding or friendly chat without
further results, or if it did not bind all
Senators on all schedules he would not
agree to abide by the decision upon the
sugar question.
The speech brought Senator Hanna to
his feet with an earnest plea for party
harmony and united effort on all the feat
ures of the bill. He referred to the ap-
parent divisions at present existing in the
Senate, and said it was high time that a
perfect understanding was reached.
Senator Thurston then put his sug-
gestion in the shape of motion to the
effect that the agreement for the caucus
should be binding upon all Republican
Senators it carried by a large. majority.
The main propositions on the sugar
schedule were those fixing the rate of re-
fined sugar.
The one adopted fixing the rate 1 95. 100
of a cent per pound, one and eight-hun-
dred and seventy-five thousandths as
fixed by the House was suggested by Sen
ator Spooner. The Spooner amendment
was accepted by an almost unanimous
vote. ~ 1s7
Mr.. Aldrich, who is generally credited
with the authorship of the finance com
mittee provisions had been expected to
stand out stiffiy for the amendments but
he did not do so. He said that his inter
est in the success of tariff revision as q
whole was superior to his interest in any
particular schedule that he had no pride
in the rates fixed by the committee and
shat Notwithstanding his conviction that
the committee rates were equitable and
in the line of Republican policy he was
willing to subordinate his Judgment to
that of the majority.
The announcement was received with
demonstrations of approval. Speeches
were made by almost all the Senators
present Mr.. Hoar made a vigorous plea
for unity of action, but said the sugar
schedule should be definitely agreed upon
at this time and put in such shape as to
terminate the unfriendly criticisms that
had been aroused.
r. Senator Frye asked the caucus to con-
slider the necessity of protecting the
Hawaiian reciprocity treaty and made a
speech in that behalf. This occurred early
in the proceedings and the Hawaiian
question was apparently lost sight of in
the subsequent proceedings over the
main features of the schedule.
The CAUCUS was cJmpe led to adjourn at
noon when the Senate met and was I'M
able to take up any other question. In
deed, Senators generally were of the opin-
ion that with the Hawaiian question I'M
disposed of the sugar question was not
finally settled but there was no agree
ment for future caucus.
The failure Of the caucus to take steps
looking to the protection of the Hawaiian
reciprocity treaty has caused considerable
comment, but the friends of Hawaii in
due to no other reason than the want of
sufficient time. They feel confident that
il the point had been reached an amend
ment similar to that proposed by Senator
Davis continuing the treaty in force
would have been accepted. They base
this assertion upon the manner in which
Senator Frye's speech was received and
the side remarks made upon the subject
They now express the utmost confidence
that the finance committee will accept
the amendment without caucus action
Senator Frye's speech was Jealous ap-