The Silver State

THE TARIFF QUESTION.

The Democratic members of the House of Representatives met in caucus on Tuesday evening for the purpose of discussing the Morrison bill. There was a large attendance at the caucus and speeches were made by Randall, Morrison, Carlisle and others, who expressed their views on the tariff question. A resolution offered by Morrison, that the bill, generally known as the Morrison bill, be taken up by the House for consideration at the earliest practicable day, and reasonable time for debate allowed, and after such debate, that a bill be passed for the reduction of duties and the war tariff taxes, was amended by a proviso that it should not be considered binding or controlling individual action of Democrats, and then adopted by a vote of 116 to 57. Carlisle offered a resolution, which was also adopted, that to reconcile conflicting opinions, and secure legislation reducing taxation, the plan for the reduction of taxes at the present session of Congress shall embrace a provision repealing all internal revenue taxes on tobacco and cigars, and also reducing the tax on brandy distilled from fruits. The action of the caucus shows that the Democrats have not made a party issue of the tariff question, and that Democratic members of the House of Representatives are at liberty to vote as they please on the Morrison bill or any other bill that may come up to regulate the tariff. It also shows beyond reasonable doubt, that a bill reducing duties on certain articles, though not to any great extent, and also abolishing the internal revenue tax on tobacco, will pass the House of Representatives at an early day.