Evening journal., 1897-05-25
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
A Wide Divergence of Opinion
Among Senators on Tariff.
IN SESSION NEARLY FOUR HOURS.
Debate on the Various Schedules Con-
sumes Most of the Time Especial
Opposition to Increased
Tax ON Beer.

N@ANA6 Allt IGDuBAAdn SNhAAbAe 'AA
rates of duty fixed in the various sched-
ules 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 senators
in addition to the Republican members
Of the finance committee, who are to
act as a committee to assist in getting
the tariff bill through the senate.
A resolution or memorandum offered
by Senator Burrows was agreed to by
those present, which sets forth that the
sense Of those present, there not being
a full attendance at the caucus, was
that Republican senators having amend
ments to offer should present them to
the Republican members of the finance
committee, and If the amendments are
approved by the committee they are to
be offered in the senate. If disapproved,
the senators presenting them are to
have the right to submit them to the
Republican caucus which is to be call
ed upon each schedule If amendments
to it are proposed. The finance COM
mittee is to hold sessions each evening
for the purpose of hearing propositions
from Republican senators and to decide
ARon AAAI c0NAodbillA9 Vi PAtoIhAlAAb SN~h
amendments in the senate.
The object of this proposition is to
prevent the Republicans from dividing
upon various schedules which might be
presented. The necessity OF this ar
rangement was developed by the de-
bate and the various contentious Of SEN
atOrs.
Aldrich on the Sugar Schedule.
In the early part of the caucus Sena-
tor Aldrich was called upon for an ex-
PLANTATION Of the bill and some Of the
amendments. During the remarks
Senator Cullom called for a statement
on the sugar schedule, over which there
had been so much controversy. The ex-
PLANTATION presented was largely techni-
cal, but the senators who heard him
understood that the house schedule
would largely exclude the coarse and
low grades from Java, the Philippine
Islands and other points.
The protection in the senate bill was
rs per cent and equalized the high pro-
lection on low grades and high grades
The effect of the house schedule
would be to shut out the lower and
cheaper grades of sugar, the system of
compound duties presented by the sem
ate bill being for the purpose of max
Ahb luis equality. LIE average rate III
the senate bin was 75 per cent. with a
differential Of one-eighth of a cent on
refined sugar. Senator Aldrich said that
this was not as advantageous to the
sugar refiners as the house bill. The
explanation seemed to cause general
satisfaction, at least no one questioned
the senator further.
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 a move should be
taken toward having vote on the bill
In two weeks. 1t was decided to ask
that after the debate had run along for
week that the senate begin its ses-
sions at IL o'clock and sit until $3.50 and
have evening sessions from 8 to IL 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 on tea.
Senators Platt Of New York Hanna OF
Ohio and Spooner OF Wisconsin were
especially vigorous in their opposition
10 the increased tax on beer. 1t was
pointed out that the Democrats had al
ready stated their opposition to this
tax and would make an effort to have
the senate committee amendment elimi-
mated. They thought it would be wise
TO have an arrangement effected which
would relieve Republican senators OF
embarrassment. It was determined
that effort should be made to secure
the revenue both from beer and tea by
a stamp tax, which would accomplish
the same result.
Western Men the Wool Schedule.
Western senators referred to the WOO
schedules. Senator Warren Of Wyo-
ming, appearing as the spokesman fol
the woolgrowers Of the west. said tina
the duties proposed by the committe'
were, in his judgment. inadequate anC
he thought there should be increases OF
the lines Of amendments proposed b.
western senators.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts, spok
against the duty on hides. saying he di'
not see how he could avoid voting 70
an amendment which proposed placinl
hides on the free list. This statemen
raised a storm among western men
who said that II such method wa
proposed they would be compelled {
vote for placing certain articles on tn
free list or for reducing the duty upo
them. They did not expect that tn
Democrats would vote with them to i'm
crease duties.
The vesterners announced that to set
tie with the eastern men who voted I
reduce duties on their products the
would vote to reduce the duty on arti
cles which their people purchased an
did not produce. II was this state O
affairs that brought forth the PROPOSE
tion Of Senator Burrows to submit pro
posed changes TO the Republican mem
bers Of the finance committee and the
10 the caucus. There was no talk ,
boiling, and no senator said he woul
vote against the bill as a whole. It wa
on the matter Of schedules that the
disagreed.
The question of abrOgating the Ha
waian treaty caused a lively debat
Senator Aldrich stated that the con
mittee intended to bring in an amend
ment to this portion Of the bill Sena
tor Frye opposed the abrogation in III
strongest possible terms. while Senats
Nelson Of Minnesota made a vigoroJ
speech in support Of the committe
amendment declaring that the revenl