The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-12-05
FOR TARIFF REFORM!
Slogan is Raised in Democratic
Caucus at Washington.
RICHARDSON MINORITY LEADER
Short and Sharp Fight Made Over
Resolutions Offered BY the New
York Delegation, But No
Action Taken.

York Delegation, But No
Action Taken.
A Washington special says: The
democratic members Of the house of
representatives met in caucus In the
hall Of the house at II o'clock Satur-
day. There are 151 democrats and
eight fusionists, silverites and popu-
lists in the new house. OF these mem,
bers of the minority 126 were present,
including Mr.. Shafroth, of Colorado,
andMr. Newlands, silverites. Mr.. Ne
vile and Mr.. Stark, populists, of Ne,
braska, declined to enter the caucus.
Mr.. Hay, of Virginia, chairman Of the
democratic caucus, presided. Without
opposition the following selections
were made for officers of the house to
be presented at the meeting OF
the house Monday.
Speaker, Mr.. Richardson, of Tennes-
see; clerk, ex-Representative James
Kerr, of Pennsylvania; sergeant at
arms, ex-Representative E. V. Brook
shire, of Indiana; doorkeeper, Charles
Edwards, Texas; postmaster, James K.
Jackson, of Alabama.
The selection of Mr.. Richardson as
candidate for speaker clothes him off,
cially with the minority leadership.
Mr.. Richardson briefly thanked tt@
caucus for the honor done him.
The interesting portion Of the caucus
followed. Representative Mcclellan,
of New York, by direction Of the dem
ocratic members of the New, York dele
CATION who had met just prior to the
assembling of the caucus, offered a
resolution as An expression OF the
sense of the caucus which, in part, was
as follows:
Resolved, That We shall promote to
the utmost Of our power the removal OF
the oppressive, restrictive and often
prohibitory features Of the existing
tariff. 1t has been truly declared to be
the mother of trusts. The tendency
to create combinations Of wealth, es-
tablishing practical monopolies in the
manufacturing and commercial indus
tries OF the United States, threatens
the future existence of individual man.
ufacturers and merchants and trades
men Of moderate or small means.
"2. We shall favor just and generous
treatment of tue inhabitants Of Porto
Rico and Cuba. American obligations
to Cuba should be sacredly performed.
"a. We are opposed to the subsidy
bill presented at the last session as
calculated to create a shipping mon.
opo-y.
"4 We shall oppose the use in any
form Of the money Of all the people for
the exclusive benefit of private inter
eSts.
~. We shall insist upon the sacred
force Of the fundamental American
rule. of democratic self-government.
Whatever protectorate over newly-ac.
quired islands or lately conquered peo-
pie may be necessary for longer or
shorter time, whatever limited sites
for naval stations may properly be re-
tained or acquired by the United
States, we are opposed to any incorpo-
ration into our republic of other lands
or The assumption of sovereignty over
them, except as lneir inhabitants may
be fitted for selt-government, and ex'
cept as the protection Of our constitu-
ton no less than of our flag may be e&'
tended to them with safety to our.
Selves"
The presenting of this resolution
precipitated 8 row. Mr.. Richardson
attempted to prevent the reading OF it
by a motion to refer all resolutions to a
special committee Of twelve, who
should report at future caucus; but
this motion was ruled out Of order
pending the reading Of the resolution.
When the reading was concluded Mr..
Ball, of Texas, gave notice that he
would differ the Kansas City platform
as a substitute. This brought replies
from Mr.. Fitzgerald, Of New York, and
Mr.. McDermont, of New Jersey, both
of whom protested against the injec.
ton of the financial issue into the dem'
ocratic councils.
1--WE can never win," declared Mr.
Fitzgerald, IF we no not discard the
heresy Of free silver"
1--WE can never win," retorted Mr.
Ball, unless men calling themselves
democrats support the national plat
form Of the democratic party"
After further sharp exchanges, Mr.
Richardson succeeded in quelling the
disturbance by renewing his motion
to refer all resolutions to special
committee of twelve to be appointed
by the chairman of the caucus. The
rnotion Dreyailed