New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23
DEMOCRATS OPPOSE DELAY.
A TARIFF PROGRAMME DRAWN UP BY
THE SENATE CAUCUS.

THEY WILL MOVE TO STRIKE OUT THE INTERNAL
REVENUE FEATURES OF THE BILL
SENATOR GoRMAN's STATEMENT.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRlBuSE.l
Washington. May 22.-The decision reached
to-day In caucus BY the Democratic Senators
not to prolong unduly the consideration Of the
amended Tariff bill will undoubtedly do much
70 relieve the apprehensions Of the Republican
managers. and 10 smooth the pathway of the
Finance Committees revision through the pit
falls OF debate in the Senate. The Republican
Senators have been summoned to meet In caucus
on Monday to devise means for Fastening the
progress Of the bill through the committee OF
the whole: but the action taken by the Demo-
cratic opposition this afternoon seems 70 make
any elaborate programme to check debate super
fuous and unnecessary.
The Democratic side has hitherto been some
what sharply divided over the advisabity of
submitting a substitute for the amended Tarin
bill. drawn on lines which will disclose the
partys present tariff policy. Mr.. German has
taken the lead In urging the preparation of a
substitute embodying In the main the pro-
visions Of the Wilson-Gorman act. with some
added revenue duties on tea and coffee to make
up the constant deficiencies encountered under
the operations Of the present law. majority
Of the Democratic Senators have from the be-
ginning opposed this programme as likely 70
revive the factional and personal dissensions
which brought such odium the tariff legisla-
ton Of 1894 At the caucus to-day Mr. German
presented his plan in vigorous speech but IL
met with such an Indifferent response that the
Maryland Senator quickly withdrew it. and II
was subsequently abandoned Internationally
The Democratic side will content itself with
purely negative attitude. opposing the amended
bill whole and in all its details. yet without
committing the party to any scheme of rates OF
its own.
The further decision Of the caucus to make It's
chief fight against the increases IN internal
revenue taxes caused much comment. lot u!
this action the party in the Senate lays ltseii
open TO the charge Of forsaking It's traoltohai
policy of taxation for revenue oni!, ana Oh en-
bracing the recognized Repubncan uoctrife
which seeks to shift taxation as much as posi-
BILE from domestic production. ana 10 la! the
chief burdens of the revenue system on manu-
features and raw material imported from Ior-
egn countries. ,
Senator Aldrich expressed the opinion. when
Informed Of the decision OF the Democrats "
move to strike out the internal revenue part Oh
the bill that the motion would fall. he salu IL
was most unusual. not to say unpreceoeh'eo
10 attack the last part Of the bill first he mad
heard criticism from any source OF the pro-
vision to increase the beer tax
After the caucus Senator German. the chair
man gave out the following statement: Ihe
conference Of Democratic Senators was held TO-
day and II was unanimously agreed by tnen,
that notwithstanding the delay In FURNISHING ine
comparative statements which would enapIe
them intelligently to consider the DILL mere
would be no opposition to proceeding immediate
w With the consideration Of the same on tues
day as they recognized that the BUSINESS inter
ests of the country require as speedy a dlsposi-
ZION Of the question is consistent win an IN
tellisent consideration Of the measure. Inc!
we're further unanimously of the opinion 'na'
the excessive increases in rates on importer al
ticles provided for both in the Dingley DID ano
the measure as reported TO the senate sno o;no
he antagonized only TO the extent OF eNposliis
.ha;r enormities: Recognizing. however. thai
the Republican party is committed to these IN,
creases the Democrats Will be content Win o"'S
fair discussion upon these propositions
THE Democrats were further un thn incressed
Wv. ~ heer tobacco cigars and the other items
embraced in the internal revenue ;rnreases
Ta,tber marty was committed to such increases
80 there &c no governmental necessity Tor such
Increased burdens upon those ar'icies'