Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-16
TARIFF BILL OUTLOOK
Free Sugar is Looked Upon as Fatal to the
Measure.
senator Brice II Confident That the
Senate Will Pass the Bill
by June 15.

Several republican Senators contemplate
making short speeches in the Senate urging
speedy action on the tariff. They are led to
take this position because they think that II
the bill can be beaten at all 1t can be done
now and they believe the country is i'm
patient of the uncertainty, which is iniuring
business. II Is very generally understood
that IL the bill is beaten it must be done by
setting the sugar trust against it through
putting sugar on the free list. An effort is
being made. therefore. to get a solid repub-
ncan vote In favor of free sugar.
II this could be done the proposition would
probably carry with the aid of a number of
democratic votes and the fate of the bill
would be sealed. Some of the republicans
have announced, however, that they will
not vote for free sugar. and the party failing
to unite in this move, the indications still
point to the passage of the bill in its latest
protective form. The trouble with the re-
publicans has been all along that they cam
not agree on any definite plan of operation.
1t Is said that Hill, Murphy, Irby and
Mills win vote against the duty on sugar
and that Hill is doing his best to get the
republicans united on this line of attack.
Sherman is the leader in opposition to this
plan and is said to have a considerable fol-
lowing of republicans who will not vote for
free sugar.
senator Brice Confident.
Senator Brice stands by his original propo-
sition that the 18th of June will see the
tariff bill through the Senate. He was dis
cussing the rumor current about the Senate
that another democratic conference was to
be held. what is the use of it?' he asked.
I'VE are getting on in good shape. and we
shall come through on schedule time. Every
vote taken on the amendments shows a safe
democratic majority and the amendments
are being dispatched with as much rapidity
could be expected at this stage. You
haven't noticed any defections in the demo-
cratic ranks yet. have you? Senator Hill Is
absent, but he is paired on the amendments
with Senator Lodge. he for them and Lodge
against. oh. yes, there may be some trou-
Bile ON the income tax, when 1t Is reached.
but IL will be gotten over and the bill will
so on its way. / look to see the opposition
melt away, and the collapse will probably
be sudden and unexpected whea II does
come. just as it was when the silver repeal
bill was up.
Il said that the bill would pass before
the end of October long before the final
vote was reached. Well, II did pass. So
will the end come in this case, and IL will
be reached by the same methods. On the
10th of October the opposition to the re-
peal of the Sherman law was apparently
as strong as 1t had been at any time since
the debate had begun; on the 10Th 1t was all
over The talk of their being four five or
seven democratic Senators opposed to the
pending bill which We hear from our friends
on the republican side is all in the air. and
they Will see their mistake soon. We are
getting on in a way to contradict that t.
and the minority will soon melt away, in
the face of facts that must convince them
Cloture? 1 doubt ii. That would be a new
question to settle. and 1 don't think we
put through under the present rules, and
l shall not change my original date for the
nnal cOnSummation."
Informal Republican Conference.
During the day there was considerable
agitation among Senators on both sides.
and q number of conferences between a
Few sn all groups or Senators on both sides
OF the chamber occurred from time to time
A number of rumors were afoat as to
moves contemplated by the democrats.
Among them 1t was stated that they were
threatening 10 abandon the compromise
amendments and to return to the Wilson
bill. This was denied by democratic Sem
ators of standing. but 1t was understood
that at least one schedule-cotton-would
De restored to the rate in the Wilson BILL
The difference Of opinion among republi-
cans as to the course of procedure has
caused considerable uneasness and dissatis-
faction on that side. and the speech of Mr..
DUBOIS and similar sentiments held by a.
large number of other republicans has given
those Senators who are still insisting that
The bill can be defeated by delay consider
able alarm: This afternoon result of
the general confusion an informal confer
ence or republicans was held in Mr. Sher-
Mans committee room, with view of ar
ranging definite program. Mr.. Gallinger
occupied the time in the Senate with a set
speech. and there was a general understand
ing that no action of any sort should be
taken during the absence of the Senators
attending the conference. The proposition
discussed was to assign Senators to take
charge of particular schedules and to GO
ahead with the consideration of the bill as
at present, only having the work so divided
as to prevent any conflict, and to systema-
uze the assault upon the bill. Late this
afternoon no definite action had yet been
taken.