Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1884 — THE TARIFF. [ARTICLE]

THE TARIFF.

The Question Considered by tH Democratic He use Caucus H at Washington. H A Large Majority Pledged to Snppfl| the Morrison or Some Similar- IS Bill. H Mr. Carlisle’s Proposal Relative to latH| nal Revenue Taxes—The Minori- H ty’g Position, H The proceedings of tho caucus of Democratic mambers of the House, called S| the purpose of outlining some action the tariff question, are thus reported by Associated Press at Washington: Through<B| most of the session, which lasted from 8 p.BB till midnight, tho attendance was very there being only ten members absent, they on account of sickness or absenoe the city. Carlisle moved that the the present Congress be adopted as tbe of the caucus, except that the debate carr.ed on under five-minute Limitation speeches. This was agreed to. It a,so decided, before the business the evening was entered upon, a future caucus should be called the written request of twenty mombers. iB Morrison then s ated tbe ob.ectof He said it was for the purpose of com au understanding, if possible. on tariff lation. The Democratic members of Ways and Aeans Committee, who belie a reduction of the war tariff, had a measure on which they desired to an expression of opinion of the members of the House. It has been nounced in the press, he said, that those were not successful In controlling tho ization of the House of would oppose any measure for war taxes or the discussion of such a ure by this Congress. He stated that the taxes derived from internal revenue, at one time jlelded the Government 000,000 a year, had been from t me to tijH reduced until only tho revenue on malt liquo s, and distilled spirits remainiß He said he did not believe in any further duction of the internal revenue as a rnattß of principle, but as a Democrat desiring monv in tho party, and for the sake B harmonizing conflicting views, he wovH a: reo to repeal tho tobacco tux and to reduß the tax on brandy distil ed from fruits, piH vided such action could be had in counecttß with the reduction of customs duties. SB the purpose of testing the sense of the ctß cus, Mr. Morrison said he would offer a rfl olution which he did, in effect that the Ways and Means Committee bB should be taken up, and that after reasonalß time for discussion “a bill" should be pass<B Mr. Hopkins ottered an amendment to tB effect that the caucus should not be bindhß upon individual members. A long dlscusslß lollowed the offering of the resolution, whijß was participated in by Messrs. Morrisoß Eaton, Converse, Blackburn, Randall, HoB kins, King, Morse, Cabell, Reagan, RoB crans, Tully, O’Neill, of Missouri, MoAdcß Wilson of West Virginia, Warn, Dorshoiß er, Hutchins, Hoblitzell, Holman, Niohoß Hardeman, Beach, Spriggs, Adams of SB York, and Bland. fl Mr. Randall briefly counseled moderatiß and conciliation, and suggested an unexoitß conference, with a view to agreeing some bill for which all Democratic membeß could vote—a bill that would provide tbr B moderate reduction of customs duties and B the same time of a partial reduction of tB internal-revenue taxation. As to making tB tariff bill a subject of caucus action in tB sen%e of controlling a member's vote, he saß it was contrary to Democratic principles, aB contrary to the principles of representariß government to attempt to bind any one onß great economic qu6-*tion, and thus seek H compel a representative to vote against tB known opinions and interests of his eonstitH ents. ■

Mr. Carlisle said ho was desirous of havirHj the caucus come to some agreement, if ble, on the reduction of tho ttulff. In to do so anJ secure such reduction, ho woulßS agree to repeal the tobaeoo ta <• and ail connected w.th the same, and to a on brandy distilled from fruits to 10 cents gallon. Messrs. Reagan and Holman harmony, and opposed all efforts to bind bers of the party by the action of the oaucuHl Both declared that the action of the should bo regarded as menely persuasive. HI Several members announced that they were opposed to tho Morrison but the predominating sentiment was in favor of considering the bill and to a measure that would receive the sanctkH| of tho House. Besides Mr. Randall, MesarHl Tully and Eaton opposed tho measure. MH| King offered a resolution to the effect that Hi committee consisting of seven members <H| the Houso and six Senators be appointed consider and report at a future catH cus, on the pending proposition. TtH| resolution was voted down. MB) Morrison moved that the HopkitHg amendment be modified so as to that the action of the caucus should b.nding upon individuals except to such aH| extent as each member might feel influenccHj by the wish* s of the majority .of his associateH This amendment was adopted. He then calleHi the previous question upon Mr, HopkinH| amendment as modified, w hich was 114 to 57. The resolution was then adopteH by a yea a»d nay vote—ll 4 to 57. The ing is tho resolution as amended and adoptecHi; Resolved, That the bill commonly known the Morrison tariff bill shall be taken up consideration at the carlie-t practicable day, anHj reasonable time for debate allowed thereon, after such debate that a bill be passed for a reH duction of duties and war-tariff taxes. the adoption of this resolution shall not be conH sidered binding in controlling the individmH action of Democrats, except to the extent thaH each member may feel that he ought to be InH fluenced by the expressed opinion of the moB jority of his associates. m Mr. Carlisle then offered tho following olution, which was adopted—Bß to 57: • H Resolved, That, in < rder to reconcile conflictH ing opinions and secure legislation reducinH taxation, a plan for the reduction of taxes aB the present session of Congress shall embrace provision repealing all internal reveuue taxes oiH tobacco, snuff, and cigars, and special taxeH connected therewith; and also reducing the taH on brandy distilled from fruit to 10 cents peH gallon: Provided, such repeal and resolutioH shall nut be made except in connection with H reduction of tariff duties. H The large vote against considering Morrison tariff bill was the subject of muefl comment after the adjournment of the cauH cus. Opponents of the bill assert unhesitatH ingly that the fifty-seven Democratic voteH cast against the caucus lesoiution, togetheH with nearly every 6olid Republican vote iiH tho House, will certainly de.oat the bill when* ever it comes up for action. H