Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1897-05-27
Republican Senatorial Caucus
Develops a Wide Diver.
gence Of Opinion.
Plan of Campaign Outlined tor
the Guidance of the Re-
publican Side.
Opening Statement IN the
Tariff Discussion Made by
Senator AldriCh.
Mr.. Vest Gives Notice OF
Amendments to Strike Out
Beer and Tobacco.

Beer and Tobacco.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The Repubh.
an caucus emphasized the fact that
there is wide divergence Of opinion
among the Republican senators on rates
Of duty fixed in the various schedules of
the tariff bill. The senators were in
caucus nearly four hours. The only
official announcement that was made
after the caucus adjourned was that it
was decided to appoint three senator's in
addition to the Republican members OF
the finance committee, who are to act as
committee to assist in getting the tariff
bill through the senate. Itwas generally
stated, however, that an agreement had
been reached that there should be no
set speeches on the bill from the Repub-
ican side except that of Senator Aldrich,
which opens the debate.
Amendments Approved in COMMITTEES.
A resolution or memorandum offered
by Senator Burrows was agreed to by
those present which sets forth that Re-
publican senators having amendments
to offer should present them to the Re-
publican members of the finance COM
mittee, and if the amendments are ap-
proved by the committee they are to be
offered in the senate. If disapproved
the senator's presenting them are to have
the right to submit them to the Republi-
can caucus, which is to be called upon
each schedule If amendments to it are
proposed. The finance committee is to
hold sessions each evening for the pur-
pose of hearing propositions from Re-
publican senators and to decide upon the
advisabiity Of presenting such amend
ments in the senate. The object of this
proposition is to prevent the Republic
ans from dividing upon various sched-
ules which might be presented.
will Extend Daily sessaons.
There was some discussion upon the
length Of time the bill should be under
discussion in the senate. Senator Mason
suggested that as soon as the opening
speeches were made q move should be
taken towards having vote on the bill
in two weeks. It was decided to ask
that after the debate had run along for
q week that the senate begin its sessions
1T IL o'clock and sit until $50 and have
evening sessions from 8 to II p. m.
Debate on the various schedules con-
sumed the time of the caucus. A great
deal of opposition was developed to the
increased tax on beer and duty Oh tea.
Senator'S Platt IN. ", Hanna (O)
and Spooner (Wis.) We're especially
vigorous in their opposition to the in
creased tax on beer. It was determined
that an effort should be made to secure
the revenue both from beer and tea by a
stamp tax, which would accomplish the
same result.
Western Senators Make Threats.
Senator Warren Of Wyoming appeared
as the spokesman for the woolgrowers
of the West and said that the duties
proposed by the committee were, in his
Judgment. inadequate, and he thought
there should be increases on the lines OF
amendments proposed by the Western
senator's.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts, spoke
against the duty on hides, saying he did
not see how he could avoid voting for an
amendment which proposed placing
hides on the free list. This statement
raised a storm, among Western men,
who said that if such a method was
proposed they would be compelled to
vtte for placing certain articles on the
free list or for reducing the duty on
them. They did not expect that the
Democrats would vote with them to in
crease duties The Westerners an
nounced that to settle with the Eastern
men who voted to reduce duties on
their products they would vote to re-
duce the duty on articles which their
people purchased and did not produce.