Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-07-12
Unit Rule Binds Demo-
Gratis.

IfeSluent W tlSOn program
of genuine downward tariff re-
vision in the interest of the
whole people is now assured of
final triumph, as the Democrats
of the Senate with two excep-
tions Monday afternoon. in
caucus, solemnly pledged them
selves 10 support it without
further amendment in its pro-
gress through the Senate. This
makes it certain that the bill on
final passage will get ~ Demo
cratic votes, or one more than
the necessary majority. with a
very strong probability that
Senator Poindexter. Of Wash
ington. who classes himself as
a progressive in the Congress
sional Directory. will also be
found behind the bill. As has
been expected, the two Louisi-
ana Senators. Thornton and
Ransdell, announced their in
tention Of opposing the bill and
will of course vote with the Re-
publicans to secure amend
ments during the Senate debate.
The resolution passed by the
caucus is not of the ironclad
nature that had been expected.
1t was made mild out of regard
to the susceptibilities of Sena-
tors who resent the idea of
strict rule of the caucus in SEN
ate affairs. The resolution is
looked on nevertheless AZ rigid
ly binding on all Democrats
who wish TO retain their party
standing and carry out the
solemn pledges made by the
party in the last and in many
previous campaigns.
The resolution reads: Re.
solved. That the tariff bill
agreed to by this conference. in
its amended form, is declared
TO be a party measure and we
urge its undivided support as a
duty by Democratic Senators
without amendment: provided.
however, that the conference
or the Finance Committee may
after conference or otherwise
propose amendments to the
bill
Senator Newlands. of Nevada.
was the only Senator present in
the conference who voted
against this resolution. Sena-
tors Thornton and Ransdell, of
Louisiana, and Shafroth. of
California, did not vote. and
Senators Hitchcock. Of Ne
braska,and Culberson of Texas.
were absent. II is known that
both Hitchcock and Culberson
will vote for the bill. The
former did not attend the eau.
Gus because he wished to keep
himself free 10 offer TO the bill
in the Senate his amendment
providing for a graduated tax
on the products of the Tobacco
Trust above certain amount of
annual output. But Senator
Hitchcock will vote for the bill
on its final passage and will not
vote for other amendments
than the one he himself wishes
to offer, which does not relate
TO the tariff proper Senator
Culberson has been i'll and abb
sent from Washington for sew
eral weeks If his illness pre-
vents him from attending the
sessions Of the Senate during
the final stages Of consideration
of the tariff he will be paired IN
favor Of the bill and against all
amendments.
Before the resolution was put
TO vote the Senators present
were polled as to their inten-
tions. They were requested TO
stand mp and announce their
proposed course Of action. For
ty-seven stood up and declared
that they would vote for the
bill on final passage. These r.
pledges with the votes of Hitch
cock and Culberson seem to
make it certain that the pass
age Of the bin practically as
completed by the Democratic
caucus is assured.
In addition 10 Senator Poin-
dexter it is not improbable that
two or three other progressive
Republicans will support the
measure on final passage. SEN
ators LaFollette and Bristow
will seek in every way possible
to get notifications Of the bill
during its consideration in the
Senate. But after these efforts
A