Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-21
A STAND FOR PRINCIPLE.
MIR. MORRIsON'S BILL TO PASS
AND A SPLIT PROBABLE.


Col. Alexander Mcclure PrematureIy
Surrenders the Presidency Little
Prospect that MIR. Randall and His
Half Dozen Followers will Yield an
Inch-Mr. Morrison Non Committal on
His Opinion of Mr, Watterson's Ulti-
matum.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The tariff
differences continue to be the alI-absorb-
ing topic of discussion among the Demo-
Gratis of the House. There has been much
canvassing to-day, but with no apparent
results. Each side seems as determined
as ever. The tariff reformers are willing
to make some slight concessions, but
maintain that the Morrison bill should
epitomize the policy of the party. The
concessions which they are willing to
make are not by any means satisfactory
to the Randall men. They claim that pro-
lection should be'the policy of this House,
Oh rather that the tariff should be let
alone. The only thing that looks the
least like a compromise was what Mr..
Cox, of New York, said on the floor of the
House to-day. He was speaking on the
whisky bill, but made a tariff reform
speech. In the course Of his remarks he
said that when the tariff bill was
taken up the Democrats would
be found harmonious. Mr.. Cox
made this statement evidently
more on what he hopes will be accom-
plished by interchanges of views than
upon what is really being done. The two
sides are no nearer together than they
were when WattersOn issued his reading
out pronunciamentOes. 1t really looks as
If the conference of next week would but
more intensity the open defiance of the
two sides which those pronunciamentOes
caused to be so sharply defined. AS a
prominent Democratic Senator said to the
NEWS correspondent tonight: cit seems
as If both the Carlisle and Morrison and
the Randall men are willing to forfeit the
Presidency to maintain their tariff views"
THE ''sTAR's" GLOOMY VIEW.
The Star this evening publishes the
following:
A committee of tariff reformers has been
appointed to make a canvass of the House and
ascertain the status of the Morrison bill. They
made preliminary canvass and found that
the bill wanted the requisite number of sup
porters to secure its passage. They then held
a consultation to see what notifications could
be made not materially affecting the principle
OF the bill that would secure the few addi-
tlonal votes necessary TO its passage 1t was
found that a few notifications in the clause
affecting local interests in Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and Ohio would make the bill ac-
ceptable to a sufficient number Of those who
now oppose il to give il a majority. The COM
mittee. as a result of their canvass and con-
ference, nave decided to recommend these
notifications and have made out a list of
members who may then be depended upon to
support 1t. According to this list the bill,
with the proposed notifications, will have an
assured majority Of nine oyer the combined
force OF Republicans and MIR. kandall's fol-
lowers. II TINS estimate proves correct the
passage of the bill will be assured, but a split
Will not be averted.
A SPLIT INEVITABLE.
a compromise upon this basis will be the
subject of discussion in the caucus which 1t Is
proposed to call Tuesday, and many not mem
toned IN the list are expected to come over 90
the majority, but all will not come over. 1t is
asserted that Mr.. Randall and ten or twelve
OF his followers refuse to be cOnciliated upOn
any but the basis of protection. These, il is
understood VIII vote with the Republicans,
and the split will be violent and permanent
TINS result Is looked upon as inevitable, and
theie is Today more excitement over the
tariff agitation than has been apparent since
the question was first raised.
MCLURE GIVES UP THE PRESIDENCY.
4. h. Mcclure, of the Philadelphia Times,
and other influential Pennsylvania Demo-
Gratis, have been here several DAYS, and have
held "a meeting with the friends Of the Morr-
son bill, with view to reaching some mutual
ground, and u dispatch from Mr.. Mcclure,
published in the Philadelphia Times o-day,
10 C-AtALiuS q apOA hGdA VI dttHnllOH. 1IC us
patch declares the split in the party to be in
evitable, SAYING that both factions are willing
to sacrifice the Presidency to their principles.
This opinion is fully expressed by both Mr..
MorrsOn's and Mr.. RandalPs followers. and
the conclusion reached is that the tariff bill
Will pass the House, but that all chance of
electing Democrat President this time Is
gone.
MORRISON DENIES APPROVING WAITER
SONS DISPATCH.
There have been many statements as
to whether Messrs. Morrison and
Carlisle approved Mr.. WattersOn's
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