Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-29
THE TARIFF TANGLE.
Efforts Of The Democratic ConieneeS 10
Loosen Il.
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES UNYIELDMG
But II 10 Expected that They VIII be Ready
to Mako Concessions
Before Long.

WASHINGTON. July 2s.-In an attempt
20 bring about party unity on the tariff
bill, the Democratic conferrees OF the
Senate and the House took time by the
forelock to-day. and held a meeting for
the purpose OF discussing the chances
OF untying the knot. 1t was decided by
the gentlemen that the formal conference
should begin on Monday next. and invita-
lions were sent to the Republican
conferrees TO meet their Democratic
brethren at l o'clock on that day. The
Democratic managers were In session for
two hours only, and while they were one
and all reticent 70 a sphynx-like degree.
there was enough In their evasive answers
TO questions 10 indicate that nothing had
been done. Indeed, the House cOnferrees
intimhtcd that they would not recede in
the least from the provisions Of the House
bill. and while no one believes that this
will BE- adhered TO with answering con-
sistcncy, Il indicates that the House
managers may not be brought TO the
point OF exchanging concessions for some
days
some reason for the apparent firm
stand OF the House people is afforded In
the fact that Representative Catchlngs.
one OF the leaders In his body. had a talk
about the tariff situation with the Presi-
dent this morning. the result Of which
was communicated TO the conferrees.
What the President said rests secret.
There are ru'nors that the Pr asident VIII
veto the bill II IT preserves that charac-
ter. and again. IL is reported that he
would. for party purposes. allow the bin
20 become 4 law under the ten-days
constitutional limit. thus showing his DIS
approval by not signing II. Those VINO
have invoatigatcl these reports have oh
tanned no Hght and they say that tho
Presidents position is too uncertain even
for conjecture However. the belief -
that he will sign the bill when II comes
t. him
ONE POINT GAINED.
II Tho conferrees d'd nothing else to-
1av. they came to one important agree
rocnt or rather were thoroughly agreed
iq that particular. They were unanimous
nat this shall be the final conference.
and that no report shall b. made to the
respective houses until differences are
adjusted IN such a way as 10 secure the
abortion of the recommendations. which
means. 81 course. that the bill would De
eent 10 the President. This, while ap-
pqrentlv inconsistent with the expressed
determination Of the House managers 70
stand FIRM on their In. II nevertheless
a fact. and Il shows that the Democratic
confsrrees realize that the situation Is
critical ana that a happy outcome rests
with themselves alone
As "a Democratic leader expressed II.
"The cpnferrees viii not give uP the at
toUpt 30 reach an agreement, II they nave
"a remain I'm session until the 9Th Of
March. when the Ffty-third Congress
expires"
The intimation made by the gentleman
above quoted. that Congress VIII remain
in session until the 4th Of Mdrch, or uhtll
n satisfactory agreement is reached i
ono that Will be fisrcely cOmbatted by
great many influential members OF the
House. The desire 10 find basis or
agreement that will be fairly satisfactory
TO all concerned finds n strong express
sion in the movement inaueuratcd by Mr..
Springer. Of Illinois. to-day, 10 secure
caucus on Tuesday afternoon next u
consider what action shall be taken 10 Sc
cure the early passage or tarlH Dill
In the event that no agreement has heen
reached by the cOnferrees By that time.
The call for the caucus was circulated
only few minutes before the House
ad iourned, and at That time II contained
A dozen or more signatures. Mt springer
believes that sufficient number or sign
crs can be secured on Monday next 10
insure a caucus on the date set in the
call.
IT may be said in this connection that
the preparation OF the call IN understood
not 10 have been made with the sanction
of tho Speaker. and some Of the more
extreme Democrats in the House VINO
say they will be satisfied with nothing less
than tie Wilson bill, are understood 10
diner very strongly from Mr. Springer
as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of holding a caucus
until some formal report shall be pre-
scented to the House from the Conference
Committee.