The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-23
1T Is WAR TO THE KNIFE.
THE REPUBLICANS DETERMINED TO
FIGHT THE TARIFF BILL
At Every Point = They Propose To
Make Use OF the Five Minute Rule
By Amending Every Paragraph Of
the Mills Bill.

Special Dispatch TO The Appeal.
WASHINGTON, May 22.-The Republic
ans in the IIonse have practically deter
mined TO reject the proposition made by
Mr.. Mills TO have test vote taken on the
tariff bill rs soon as the consideration Of
that measure is resumed under the FIVE
minute rule. They have been holding
frequent consultations, and II has become
apparent that the majority OF the party is
against the proposition and intends TO
fight every inch Of the ground, even II it
takes all summer. As Mr.. Burrows said
today, In talking Of the matter: 'Thcre
will be three or four amendments offered
to every paragraph in the bill. and We will
probably be here until September"
No definite answer has yet been given TO
Mr.. Mills or his Democratic colleagues on
the ways and means committee in relation
TO this question. The Republican pro-
gram will not be fully made up until to-
morrow night, when the chairmen OF the
sections into which the party In the House
has been divided will meet and present
their final reports. The canvass has,
however, been sufficiently thorough up TO
the present time 10 warrant the assertion
that ON Wednesday morning, when II has
been arranged definite answer shall DO
given 10 Mr.. Mills, war TO the knife will be
declared by the Republicans against their
Democratic friends. The Republican
leaders explain their position by saying
that not being responsible 10 the country
for the legislation Of this House IL would
be prcsumptuous, not 10 say foolish, in
them 10 undertake 10 solve this question
OF tariff revision. They assert that they
have gone 10 the fullest allowable length
by voting for the consideration II the sub
ject, and thereby putting themselves in
position 10 declare their policy on the yari-
Gus amendments 10 the bill as they may be
offered.
Tho Randall bill would answer, In a
large measure, as n Republican substitute
for the Mills bill, but for obvious reasons
II cannot be utilized as such. However,
when the five minute debate Is In progress,
and amendments are In order, many feat
ures OF the Randall bill, which will be Of
Tered by him, or some OF his followers, in
the shape Of amendments TO tho Mills bill,
will receive almost a unanimous Repub-
lican support Therefore, II Mr.. Ran
dali has followers enough TO control the
situation by uniting his forces with those
Of the Republicans the bill, Ms Il will come
out OF the committee Of the whole, will
strongly resemble the Randall bill.
The Republicans, OF course, have views
ON the subject OF the sugar tariff at vari-
anco with those entertained by Mr.. Ran
dali, and whatever hitch may occur in the
arrangement between the Randallites and
the Republicans will grow out OF Mr.. Ran
dalrs championship OF sugar rs opposed TO
tho popular proposition OF the Republicans
10 put that article on the free list. The
strength Of the position OF Mr.. Mills and
his friends Is this, that all amendments 10
the tariff bill proceeding from Democratic
sources must first DO passed upon by the
majority OF the ways and means commit
tee, and the opportunities for conferences
ON these points will DO improved 10 bring
about Democratic unity, n possible, before
the subject has been put in position 10 be
voted ON by the full committee.
Mr.. Mills and his lieutcnants still OK.
press confidence In their ability 10 pass 1
bill resembling In every essential fcatur,
the one now before tho House. Tho con,
sidcration Of the tariff bill under the five.
minute rule will, under tho present mr..
rangomcni, be begun on Monday next.
The Democratic members OF the WAYS and
means committee are still considering the
amendments which were offered 20 the
bill by the Democrats In the caucus Of ten
days ago. This work was necessarily In.
tcrruptcd nj the end Of last week by the
two final days OF the general debate, dur.
ing which the members Of tho committee
had 10 be- present. II Is, however, cx.
pecicd that they will have completed this
task and have their report 10 submit TO q
caucus towards the close Of the present
week.