The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-24
Mhere The ncmocrats Nnr Suffer.


II q compromise was absolutely neces-
sary it is doubtful whether a less harmful
one could have been contrived, and the
worst aspect Of the situation would seem
TO be from q Democratic party stand
point. 1t puts that party IN the position
Of virtually acknowledging as soon as IL
has gotten control of the Senate that
the minority has a right 10 dictate leSis-
!ation in that body. 1t has through it's
official caucus committee prepared bill
which is, If possible, more thoroughly
"A compromise in principle than II is IN
substance and which is equivalent TO a
declaration that as long as the Democrat,
party is in control of the Senate the mi
nority can have anything 1t wants 1t
only holds out long enough. IL is true
that this compromise has been altogether
within party lines, and it would not be so
bad if there was any way under the
rules Of the Senate TO prevent dilatory
tactics In the future If the rules had
been amended first so as to give the
majority the control Of the Senate here
after there would not have been so much
ground to criticise the present situation
from a party point Of view.
There are Democratic seHetcrs who de-
clare that the Republicans VIII never dare
to flibustcr against the tariff bill or TO
either as TO the rates Of duty or as to the
time when it is TO 90 into effect, but when
the tariff fight is on next winter they Will
probably find that the protected man
ufacturers are no more ready TO give up
the special privileges under the Mckinley
law than the silver miners are TO give up
their special advantages under the Sher-
man law, and they will have their cham
pions on the floor Of the Senate, who
viii be just as earnest as the champions
of the silver miners have been. There will
be no hope Of passing cloture rule then
with the help IF Republican votes. and
there will be lukewarm supporters
OF the administration policy of tariff
reform on the Democia attic side Of the
Senate just as there have been lukewam
supporters Of the repeal bill on that side.
The result may be that the PARTY leaders
will find It is as impossible then to bring
the tariff bill to vote as it has been to
bring the repeal bill to a vote, and they
may have 10 allow the Republicans to at
! least fix the time for the law TO 90 into
effect.
This week will open with better promise
OF a break in the deadlock in the Senate
than has been evident for Many days.
II is the intention Of the managers Of
The compromise movement 10 place their
proposition before the body at the ear
Hest possible moment probably tomorrow
or the next day. Then il will be a ques-
ton OF ways and means 20 secure action
upon il, for strong opposition is expected
from the Popuist senator's and there
is no means OF knowing what measure
OF support can be expected from the Re
publicans. If necessary however, there
may be a resort 20 clOture. Such a
proposition would be much stronger when
indorsed by a majority OF Democratic
senators than when 1t was preached be-
fore, and there is no reason 10 suppose
that the Nice-President would not, I'm such
case. take the necessary steps TO bring the
question TO a vote. The Voorhees, amend
ment TO the rules would in this event
be the means Of closing the debate, and
as this had already occupied more than
/ thirty days specified in the new rule.
the adoption Of the Voorhees, rule would
result IN a vote upon the bill and amend
ments very speedily.
Even II the compromise movement
should fail again. IT is understood the
Cloture rule VIII be pressed, probably
beginning Tuesday. and IL is fully expect
ed by Senator Hin that the few conser-
vatiye Democrats in favor OF repeal who
so far have declined 10 sign his petition
20 the Nice-Prcsident, IN the hope that
by an agreement on a compromise the
necessity for cloture would be removed.
will then fan into line and sign the Pc
titOn.-From the Washington special 10
Baltimore Sun, yesterday.