The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-19
REPUBLICAN POLICY.

REPUBLICAN POLICY.
They Propose TO Compel the Democracy tC
Make a Record the Tariff BIZ.
Special to the IndianaBoiis journal
WASHINGTON, March 1s.-Ths Republican
members of the House committee on ways aud
means have changed their tactics in ono respect
regarding their consideration Of the administra-
tion tariff BILL They going to not only suc-
gest amendments in the committee, but they in
tend to insist upon them. This they will do
without any hopes of success, but with view
to maintaining consistent attitude on the sub
ject and making a record. They say they are
aware of the real source OF this bill, and intend
TO expose 1t before they get done with its con-
sideration. 1t Ia stated that the administration
tariff bill was suggested almost wholly by Rep
resentative William l.. Scott, OF Pennsylvania.
who is the leading Democratic member of the
COMMITTEES, and the mouth piece of the admins
tration in the House. The figures upon
which he based bis reductions were
procured at the Treasury Department. from tina
Walstrset brokers and the importers OF New
York. The measure is essentially such a one as
President Cleveland would have written had he
been chairman of the committee, and is regarded
as his platform. In view of these facts the Re-
publican members of the committee have an ad-
mirable opportunity to cause the majority mem
be-s good deal of uneasiness. inasmuch as they
can make suggestions and insist upon them
suggestions which would if accepted, take the
bill out of all resemblance to its shape at pres
ent, and place it outside OF the range of the par
ty-and which the majority must refuse and
make record it will not care to stand upon.
With this programme in view the bill may not
come from the committee early as was antcl-
pated. II the majority of the committee enter
tain, with any degree of seriousness, the propo-
sitions of te minority to amend the bill. several
days will be consumed II. parleyng over the meas
ure. 1t may be, however, that the propositions
will be promptly voted down and the bill will
come to the House as 1t now is. Should this be
done the Republicans will be pleased, and their
record will be just what they want il.
Tonight asked General Browne of Indiana,
one of the leading Republican members OF tha
House committee ways and means, what he
thought would be the outcome OF the admins
trasion tariff hill in the committee and in tho
House. He said: ''I think we will continue to
wrangle over it until about Thursday, when Mr..
Scott, as he iptimated the other day, will move
that the chairman be instructed TO report tho
bill to the House ct once and ask for its i'm
mediate consideration. This will be carried by
a strict party vote. The bill will go to the House
next week. don't see how the debate can be
curtailed TO less than five weeks There must
be a full discussion of it. and. inasmuch as wa
have been out off at every step in our PROPOSE
tions to make amendments in committee, we
going to make them on the floor of the
House. don't believe the bill will be passed.
There are very few Republicans will support it
account of its free wool, and 1 presume the
usual Randall following, about forty or fifty
Democrats. will vote against the BILL Ie
it should be so amended as to get
through the House, which I think
next to impossibility. 1t would be amended
in such way in the Senate as to likely not be.
acceptable in the House when it came back.
The Republicans will offer a bill. and it may ba
that their united support and some strength
from the Randall people will pass it. IL we
should get bill through the House, don't ex-
pect it will be much amended in the Senate, and
it would likely become a law. But there is SO
much wrangl ng and the-e is such diversity of
opinion that il hardly looks hopeful
at this time. The Randall bill
will never be taken up but will
rest in the committees pigeon hole
II Ia no use for the admiuistra ton men In the
House to talk about bill being reported from
the Senate committee on finance before the ST.
Louis convention, because the bill could not be
sent TO that committee from the House earlier
than some time late in May. The majority of
the committee on ways and means have occu-
pied over three months in comp ling the bill
the House intends to debate 1t about six weeks,
and it would be ridiculous 10 presume that the
Senate could accomplish In two three weeks
what the Hou Sc and it's committee will have
taken about five months to accom- plish."
There is a great deal of bad blood in the COM
mittee ways and meaus now. It is a regular
cat-and-dog fight at every day and night meet
ing. The Democrats, with precision and readi-
ness vote down every proposition the Repub-
licans make, without even the SLIGHTEST consid-
GRAFTON, and the latter do not like it. and have
no hesitancy in expressing their displeasure. IL
is plain now that the Democrats have the bit in
their mouths, and going 70 put the vehicle
just as far as they can and as quick as possible.