The record-union., 1897-05-23
Will Not Attempt to Delay Considera-
tion Of the Measure,
But Will Move to Amend or Strike
Out Several of the Schedules-Are
Particularly Hostile to the Internal
Revenue Features, Relating to
Beer and Tobacco, Which They
Condemn as a War Tax.

WASHINGTON. May 22.-The Demo-
cratic members of the Senate held
caucus to-day and decided 10 inaugu-
rate a fight on the tariff bin as soon as
it is taken up in the Senate by motion
to strike cut the internal revenue feat
ures relating to beer and tobacco.
This result was reached after a dis
cussion in which practically all the
Senators present participated. The
conclusion was unanimous that this
was the wise and polite course to pur-
sue.
The talk was based largely upon the
proposition 10 increase the tax upon
beer, which was generally criticised as
an effort to increase the price of the
poor mans beverage" wholly unjusti-
fable in a time of peace with S120,0O0.
600 of idle money in the treasury. The
proposed beer tax was condemned as a
war tax.
Discussion of the other features of
the bill was only desultory and no con-
clusion beyond that stated was reached.
The sugar schedule was the subject OF
frequent remarks. There was discus
sion of the advisability of Offering a
substitute for it. but no conclusion to
that effect was arrived at. 1t was
made apparent that every Democratic
Senator present would probably vote
against it.
German urged the advisability of the
introduction of a substitute for the en-
tire bill, but it was soon made apparent
that the sentiment of the caucus was
almost unanimous in opposition to this
course, and it was not pressed to vote.
German gave only brief outline of
the substitute. He said he thought a
| bill could be prepared which would levy
| a revenue duty on tea, coffee and other
| articles which would increase the Gov
ernment customs receipts sufficiently
| to make the Wilson bin satisfactory
and thus score point of Importance.
The general sentiment of the caucus
was opposed to any policy of delay.
| No set speeches will be made in open
| ing the debate, and there will probably
be no effort from the Democratic side
of the chamber TO prevent the taking
up of the schedules Immediately after
Aldrich's preliminary statement is CON
cluded.
Democrats express the hope that a
disagreement will develop among Re
| publcans.
AT the conclusion of the caucus Sem
ator German gave out the following
statement concerning it: THE confer
ence OF Democratic Senators was held
to-day, and it was unanimously agreed
by them that notwithstanding the delay
in furnishing the competitive state
ments, which would enable them intel
! ligently to consider the bill, there would
be no opposition to Immediately pro-
ceeding with the consideration of the
same on Tuesday. as they recognized
| the business interests of the country
require as speedy a disposition of the
! question as is consistent with an in
| telligent consideration of the measure.
! They We're further unanimously of the
| opinion that excessive increases of
rates on imported articles, provided for
by Dingley's bill and as reported to the
Senate, should be antagonized only to
the extent of exposing their enormities.
Recognizing, however, that the Republi-
| can party is committed to these in
! creases the Democrats will be content
| with only a fair discussion upon these
propositions. The Democrats We're fur
! ther unanimously of the opinion that
| they would oppose the increased tax on
beer, tobacco. cigars and the other
| items embraced in the internal revenue
| schedules. Neither party was commit
| ted to such increases, and there is no
Governmental necessity for such in
creased burdens upon those articles.