The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-09
HITCHCOCK LEAVES CAUCUS.
REVOLTS WHEN HIS TOBACCO
TAX AMENDMENT Is LOST.
Senator Explains His Action Does
Not Mean He Has BOlted Party
Anticipating Binding Resolution
Nebraslan Withdrew Against Pro-
tests Of SenatOrs--Amendmen Tax
on Tobacco Lost, 18 to 23.

the Democratic tariff caucus today be-
cause that body voted down his
amendment that would put a gradual
ed income tax on tobacco production,
he precipitated the liveliest time the
senate Democrats have had since
they began consideration of the tariff
measure.
Senator Hitchcock's revolt, which
he later declared did not mean that
he had withdrawn from the party or
that he would not support the party
measure, served to determine that
there will be a binding resolution
passed by the caucus pledging the
senators to support the bill as rati-
fed, to refrain from introducing any
amendment not proposed by the
finance committee majority and not to
support any amendments offered from
the Republican side.
1t was intimated that it was be-
cause Of such a resolution that the
could not remain in. the caucus, be-
cause he intended to. introduce his
tariff amendment in. the senate and
to lead fight there for it's adoption.
When, in the course of his talk to the
caucus, the senator announced his
decision and the reasons therefor,
many of his colleagues who had sup
ported him in the vote on his amend
ment pleaded with him to remain in
the room. There was considerable
excitement as senator after senator
urged Mr.. Hitchcock not to go out,
assuring him that he could be granted
the privilege of bringing up his
amendment without taking such a
drastic course.
Senator Hitchcock declared, how
ever, that there was no other course
open and left the room while the ex-
citement was at it's height.
The vote on the amendment was 90
to IS, the senators supporting it be-
ing Ashurst, Bacon, Clarke of Arkan-
sas, Fletcher, Hitchcock, Tolls, Kern,
Lea, MARITIME, Myers, Newlands,
German, Pomerene, Robinson, Sauls-
bury. Sheppard, Shields and Varda-
man. All the members of the finance
committee voted against the amend
ment
After the excitement had calmed
down, statements were issued by Sem
ator Simmons, chairman Of the
finance committee, who opposed the
amendment, and Senator Kern, chair
man of the caucus, who supported it.
Chairman Simmons said:
THE caucus declined to adopt the
socalled Hitchcock amendment to the
tariff bill principally because it did
not consider 1t wise to attempt in a
tariff measure to deal with the trust
evil. 1t was felt that the trust 'ques-
ton should be dealt with as q separate
one a. soon as it could be reached and
only after such thorough and mature
consideration as the great Importance
Of the subject required. Moreover,
such consideration could not now be
given to it by the finance committee,
the caucus and the congress, without
unduly delaying final action upon the
tariff and disappointing the public de-
sire for it's early settlement
THE vote on Senator Hitchcock's
amendment" said Senator Kern, has
no Significance as indicating any
symapthy with the tobacco trust or
any other monopoly on the part of
any member of the conference. On
the contrary there was q unanimous
sntiment in favor of drastic legisla-
ton on that subject.
Nearly all who opposed the reso-
| luton based their action upon the
| fact that the tariff bill should not be
| loaded down with general legisla ton
and especially with legislation di-
rected against one trust and affect
ing none of the others.
'All agreed that every Democratic
platform pledge on the subject of
trusts and monopoly should be faith
fully carried out by legislation care
fully drawn for that purpose"
Tonight the caucus adjourned un-
til tomorrow afternoon when il will
have before It the matter of extend
ing the date for the sugar tariff to
become effective. The majority of the
finance committee will meet i'm the
morning to consider the child labor
resolution, the time for makins. effec.
tive the wool schedule and some
odds and ends of the bill. 1t was
stated tonight that there now was no
disposition in the committee 10
change the date of effectiveness for
the wool schedule and the recon-
mendation of the committee TO the
caucus probably will be that the wool