The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-24
A LONG CHIN ON DUTIES.
THE EFFORTS TO LIMIT THE DE
BATE FAIL.

Republicans Demand Fifty Hours Dur
ing the Daily Sessions in Which to
Set Forth Their Side of the Argu-
ment-The Fun to be Left Without
Limit for the Present.
WASHINGTON, April % the Committee
on Ways and Means held long meeting
this morning, but failed to finally agreo
upon the length of time, to be allowed for
general debate on the tariff bill.
The Republican members of the commit
tee asked that ten days of five hours each,
or fifty hours in all, be allowed each side
for the purpose
The Democratic members held that a
shorter time would suffice.
Evening sessions were not acceptable to
the Republicans, who argued that because
of the slim attendance which characterized
them as contrasted with the day sessions,
members compelled to speak at night would
be placed at disadvantage
The differences on the subject between the
majority and minority of the committee do
not seem to be serious, however, and it is
expected that an agreement will be reached
tomorrow, when another meeting will be
held.
DEMOCRATS IN CAUCUS.
A caucus of the Democratic Representa-
tives to night brought together about 120
members. Its purpose was to receive the
report of the Democratic members of the
Ways and Means Committee on the result
of their efforts to arrive at an agreement
with their Republican colleagues as
to the time to be allotted for
general debate ON the tariff bill. The
Republican ultimatum--fifty hours Of the
daily sessions of the House for their side
was not received with favor when laid be-
fore the caucus by Mr.. Mills, but the pro-
longed discussion, which was participated
in by many members, including MeSsrs.
Scott, Holman and Hooker, failed to result
in any plan that might fairly be expected
to re luce the time demanded by the Re-
publicans. An amendment TO one of the
resolutions offered by Mr. Townshend, pro-
viding for the allowance of five days de-
bate on each side of the House, received
such scantv support that it was dropped.
NOT TO BE LIMITED JUST NOW.
The general sentiment of the caucus
finally crystalzed in the opinion that it
would be inexpedient to attempt to limit
the debate on the tariff at this time, that it
would be best to resume Immediately con-
sideration of the bill, and work industri-
ously at it, hoping that as the debate pro-
gre 5sed the House would become wearied
and be in a humor to curtailit. This opinion
found expression in the following resolu-
ton, which was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, That it is the opinion of this caucus
that the tariff discussion shall be resumed to-
morrow and continued to a conclusion, to the
exclusion of other business, except that night
sessions may be held and if not required for de-
bate upon the tariff shall be employed In cur
rent legislatlon-the direction heretofore given
touching an amicable arrangement as TO the
time of the debate on the tariff bill to continue
in force.
The reference to the 'amicable arrange
ment" refers to the direction to the ma jority
of the WAYS and Means Committee to ascer-
tain the wishes of the Republicans. and its
continuance was ordered in the hope that
the Republican members might be disposed
to compromise at the meeting of the com
mittee tomorrow The caucus adjourned
after 10 o'clock.