New-York tribune., 1901-01-17
A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF
SENATOR'S TOMORROW.
PLAN TO SECURE PARTY HARMONY ON
PRESSING MEASURES OF LEGIS-
LATION AND AVOID AN
EXTRA SESSION.
IsY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1sUSz-I

lsY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l
Washington. Jan 16.-Unless something
foreseen occurs to change the present plan. there
will be held Friday morning the most I'm
portant conference Of the Republican members
Of the Senate that has taken place at this ses-
sion of Congress. The purpose OF the caucus
primarily is to agree on a programme for the
expedition of business. TO the end that there
can be no reasonable excuse for extra ses-
sion Another object of Importance Is to bring
conflicting interests together on two or three
measures Of consequence pressing for attention
at this session. and thus preserve party har-
mony and existing pleasant relations between
various Republican Senators who are about to
get at loggerheads over minor questions that
appeal more to individual opinion than to party
principles
AWAITING ACTION ON THE TREATY.
On trustworthy authority it can be stated that
when the caucus is held definIteness and candor
will be given to programme which has been
somewhat involved in doubt and uncertainty
since the beginning OF the session. This is par
ticularly true of the party's position three
bills OF special interest-War Revenue Reduc-
tion. Ship Subsidy and Nicaragua Canal The
caucus will define clearly and Enthusiastically the
party's attitude in favor of substantial reduc-
ton Of the present war taxes and OF the passage
of bill giving aid to American shipping. On
the SUBJECT OF the Nicaragua Cduai the parry
will take the position that this Government
should await Great Britain's action the
amended Hay-Pauncefote Treaty before taking
further steps toward the construction OF an 18TH
mian waterway. II is not believed that there
will be serious differences Of opinion pro-
tracted discussion of any OF these subjects In
the caucus. because for two days negotiations
have been in progress toward the objects named;
that when the Republican Senators get to-
gether in conference all they will have to do win
be to decide upon immaterial details and give
formal ratification to the programme already
mapped out.
A PRACTICALLY NEW SUBSIDY BILL
1t is said that week ago it would have been
hard task to predict with confidence any ship
subsidy legislation, so determined were the Re
publican friends and opponents of the Frye bill
to make no compromises. Since then. however.
1t Is stated that satisfactory understanding has
been reached and now the prospects for subsidy
legislation are consequently brighter. The
PLANTATION is that II has virtually been decided
to accept a new bill from the Committee on
| Commerce. which already has favorably reported
the Frye bill The bill, it is understood
will be so framed as remove all opposition
among Republicans, and when adopted by the
Senate as exact. or approximately exact ex-
preston of the party's attitude toward the prin
| ciple OF aid to American shipping there will no
| longer be any danger Of the bill failing In the
/ House.
Senator Frye. as the chief promoter OF ship
| bounty legislation and chairman Of the Com
mittee on Commerce. presumably Will present
| the new bill TO the caucus. In it's phraseology.
as we'll as in it's broadened scope. the proposed
new bill will neither hurt the pride OF author
ship nor destroy the credit OF initiative. while
| at the same time it will meet the views Of that
K OS RanThIfcaOS who
have been threatening trouble for the original
measure If this is done the flfbustering pro-
gramme of Pettigrew and other Demo-Pops
against all shipping legislation cannot amount
| TO much, because there will be a solid Repubh-
can majority to meet the flibusters at every
point with a matured purpose and carefully
laid programme.
CUT OF S5OOOOOOO IN WAR TAXES.
II is believed that the caucus will recommend
even heavier reductions OF war taxes than are
contained in the House bill. While no definite
amount is stated still it is popularity understood
| that the total reductions aimed at will approx
mate S5OO 900. and that the pairing process
will be on the horizontal plan Senator Aldrteh.
the chairman of the Finance Committee, Is sup
nosed To he looking after this part OF the pro-
granlne and it is believed that he has already
drafted a bill that will cut war taxes down TO
the minimum, which means that his measure
will Iop off about S5O.OOOOOO-
So far as known. the suggestion as TO Canal
legislation is as yet strictly tentative. put IL
is tbought that this feature will be quite as
well natured as the others when the caucus
meets. 1t is possible that the meeting may not
be held until Saturday. although the present
plan is TO hold 1t Friday morning
That the President is aware of the movement
and has given it his Endorsement is evidenced
bv the circumstances that two or three or the
Senators most prominently connected with u
have had conferences with Mr.. Mckinley in the
lost two davs The Presidents we'll known de-
sire not TO be compelled to call an extra session
of Congress is another reason for believing that
he is heartily in sympathy with the movement
as outlined. because it's principal object Is TO
expedite business as TO get through at this
session. or dispose Of in satisfactory rorrn al
measures demanding early attention
FOPGETS To RING DENTISTS BELL.