New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-15

INT earnest discussion among Representatives,
Oh both sides of the House to-day, respect,
ing the prospects of the consideration Oh
the Morrison bill. Early in the day rumor became
current that efforts were making to secure tenn,
porary postponement of the motion to consider, ana
that they were likely to succeed. Chairman MOT
rison was asked about the story by TRIBUNE cor
respondent and he promptly replied: L know
nothing of such efforts as you meii-
tion: but / know thing IL am
alive tomorrow shall move to consider the pill
md expect TO be alive. No. cannot say whether
mymotion will prevail. | do not know how many
Democrats will vote for or against It, and do not
think anybody else does have asked Mr. Jordan
of Ohio, to call a meeting of the Democratic Repre-
sentatves from that State and find out how they
will vote"
Mr. Mills of the Ways and Means Committee,
was asked his opinion of the prospects of consider
alton and be tersely replied: mixed" To IKE
inquiry Abram S. Hewitt responded: You are asking
m, TOO hard question. If / could, would answer
it." As chairman of subcommittee Mr. HeW1t
has been for some time gagged in the preparation
OF bill designed to remove. so far as
practicable the difficulties in the way OF
efficient and uniform administration of the
tariff law Many of these difficulties were
suggested by the letter sent to the Ways and
Means Committee on February z. by the Secretary
of the Treasury. Mr.. Hewitt has completed a
draft of the proposed bill and it was sent to the
printer to-day. 1T does not change single
rate of duty and is designed simply to promote
better administration of the customs service"
said Mr.. Hewitt. For bill such as Mr. Hewitt
has prepared there may be little difficulty in secur-
ING consideration for il aims at a kind of " tariff
reform" which is generally regarded as necessary.
Mr. Wilkins of Ohio, was asked what he ex-
pected to be the result of the conference OF ONO
Democrats this evening He replied that he thought
that they would agree to act together and vote
solidly against the consideration of the Morrison
bill. By tins he did not however mean that Mr..
Hurd will so vote.
SEVERE CRITICISM OF Mr.. MORRISON.
There is considerable unfavOrable criti-
csm of Chairman Morrison evon among
Democrats who are inclined to favor
tariff reform" because of his firm refusal to agree
to any modification of his bin before it is brought
before the Committee of the Whole. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Eaton, of Connecticut, pro-
posed that be MoSd consent u"S
ESton, E 'W would help him to draft new tariff bill
Which Would transfer @ POO a@ SeibS fSm The IL
which "the little State of Connecticut" is more
E2s Eo6 sad idan s"sessed s that such
bill would be measure OF true tarf reform " |
upon which all Democrats could unite, " because |
ii would not punish the innocent along with the |
guilty." In other words, it would touch articles |
theremoval of the duty on which would not be
eS% to Ws that be WonS
or fail by his bill in ITS present FORM although
Mir. Eaton bad assured him that the new bill woud
give honor to the chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee and to him alone
WATERING AMONG RANDALL's FOLLOWERS.
There was considerable unfayorable comment and
much uneasness expressed by several of the Demo-
cratic opponents of the Morrison bill to-day on ac-
rount of the continued absence from the |
Capitol of Mr.. Randall The Pennsyl- !
int a
conference last night but postponed it on account
of Mr.. Randaus absence One of them re- |
consideration of the bill he should have |
been here, three. dayss, ago so as to |
consolidate the opposition. The force and trutn OF
this remark were appreciated by the members OF |
the Randall faction generally Some OF them eX. |
pressed fear that he might conclude t TO- dodge
ended. In several directions there were signs OF |
waverng among his followers.
On the Republican side much earnest |
and vigorous work has been done |
to strengthen and cement the opposition to consid-
eration At an informal meeting of some Republl,
rams last week Mr. KassOn yielded his views and |
agreed TO vote against consideration. since
that time a great deal of excellent missionary |
work has been done among other Republicans who, |
like Mr.. Kasson, inclined to vote with the |
free trade Democrats. THIS afternoon Mr.. Hiscock |
would vote for consideration, and he had |
hopes that at least one of those would |
reconsider his present determination. Mr.. Wilson, |
of Iowa, who has charge Of the business of arrang
ing pairs for Republican absentees, has done some |
Very efficient work, and II s thought no vote VIII
be lost through absentees who are not paired or by
the pairing of Republicans with Democrats who |
Rre also opposed to consideration.
hORRIsoN's FRIENDS AGGRESSIVE AND CONFIDENT |
Mr. Randall's absence from the Capitol to-day was
said to have been due to attack of the gout
kept him in bed. He has abated none of his firm |
ness of opposition to the consideration of the bill
He is of the opinion that the motion to consider
will be defeated.
The report that Congressman Hurd had gone TO |
Chicago to attend meeting of the Iroquois Club |
was incorrect. He quietly at work all day try
ing to bring into line the Democrats from his state
lie did most of the talking at their con- !
ference tonight, and afterward he reported to |
Chairman Morrison that not more than five, AID |
possibly not than three or four, of the Ohio
Democrats will vote against the motion TO con- |
slider An Ohio Democrat who does not agree with |
MI Hurd said, however, that at least six votes |
from that State VIII be cast against consideration !
tomorrow. |
Morrison more hopeful tonight, and was in
clned to give attention to a canvass by of his
friends which showed that only forty |
two Democrats will vote be paired |
against the consideration Of the bill. He |
said that while all his friends confident |
and aggressive the opposing faction has been wav
erng all day, and he believes that the moral effect
OF this will insure its defeat tomorrow His friends
claim that three Republicans will vote for consid-
Grafton aud that three other Republicans will
dodge The canvass of the Democratic votes
against consideration 10 which Chairman Morrison
neliusd to give credit. shows that the Democratic
opponents will have votes from New-York IL |
from Pennsylvania, from Ohio from New-Jer- |
sey, California, from Virginia, and each |
from Connecticut, Alabama, Louisiana, IenneS- |
see, South Carolina, West Virginia. Georgia |
and Maryland. If this canvass DO correct II |
shows one of two thInQs-either that MANY Demo- |