The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-08
DEMOCRATS GO ON
RECORD FOR The
TARIFF BILL
Caucus Shows 49 Senators Fa.
v0r The Measure
SMALL MAJORITY OF ONE
Chairman Simmons Says Bill VIII
Be Reported During Present
Week.

Washington, July S.-Forty-seyen
democratic senators stood up in the
party caucus one by one, late yes
terday, and declared their lnten-
ton to vote for the Underwood-Sim-
mons tariff revision bill as finally
approved by the caucus few mlnu-
ties before. Two senator's, Ransdell
and Thornton of Louisiana, stated
that they would not make such
promise, because of the proposal TO
place sugar on the free list in 1916.
Senators Hitchcock of Nebraska and
Culberson of Texas were absent,
but both are known to be in favor
of the bill. This gives the demo
Gratis 40 votes for the bill, or a
slender majority of one, with the
vote of the vice-president TO fall
back on in an emergency.
An absolute binding resolution
was not adopted, the poll by individ-
uals being substituted, and that poll
was put only on the ground OF per-
sonal promise and was not made
binding. A resolution was adopted,
however, declaring the Underwood
Simmons bill party measure and
urging it's individual support with
out amendment, unless such should
be submitted by the committee. Sen
ator Newlands of Nevada cast the
only vote against this resolution,
but Senators Shafroth of Colorado,
Ransdell and Thornton did not vote
The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That the tariff bill
agreed to by this conference in its
amended form is declared to be a
party measure. and we urge its I'M
divided support as a duty by demo
cratic senators without amendment
Provided, however, that the confer
ence or the finance committee may,
after reference or otherwise, pro-
pose amendments to the DILL" Sen
ator Kern, chairman of the caucus.
Chairman Simmons of the finance
committee, who have fought hard
for the measure and other admins
tration leaders expressed entire sat
isfaction over the outcome and de-
clared their confidence that enough
votes were personally pledged to as
sure the passage of the measure
with free wool and free sugar in
cluded.
II became at once apparent when
the caucus convened that resolu-
ton which would bind members alb
solutely to the bill without amend
ment was distasteful TO many Sena-
tors. The resolution therefore was
modified and presented in the form
of a party declaration. Before this
was put to vote the motion was
made that senators be asked fatty
as to their intention regarding the
measure, and this was agreed to.
The roll was then called.
On this roll-call the Louisiana SEN
ators stated that 1t was not their
intention to support the bill without
amendment. Senator Newlands said
that he had not definitely made up
his mind as to certain amendments
he might urge, but in the end it
was his intention to stand by the
party measure. Senator Shaforth
explained that he did not want to be
bound to support the bill but that 1t
was his present intention to vote for
it. All the other members present,
As, voted AYE" on the roll-call.
These, with Senators Hitchcock and
Culberson absent, but accounted for,
constitute, the democratic member
ship of the Senate, 81.
I'VE are satisfied with this show
ing" said Senator Simmons last
night. The democrats are on rec
ord in support of the bill. Forty
seven of them answered aye when
their names we're called on the mo-
ton to support the bill and two 9TH
ers declared it their present inten-
ton to support it, and said that
they did not know of anything that
would cause them to vote against
the party. No more could be ex-
pected. | am going over the final
printed draft of the bill for correc-
tons and shall report it to the Sen
ate some time this week. Thursday
If possible. ] shall call a meeting OF
the full membership of the finance
committee on Wednesday. in all prob
ability. At any rate. the measure
will be ready for general debate
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