Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1894-08-17
CAN THEY BE PASSED?
SPECULATION REGARDING THE
NEW TARIFF BILLS.
Much Depends Upon the Stand Taken
by Republicans, Especially Re-
gnrdinE Sugnr-The Bills Are Pre-
sentcd to the Senate.

Washington, Aug. 15.-Beyond the
interest felt in the action of the presi-
dent on the main tariff, congressional
speculation has now turned upon the
probable course of the senate with ref
erence to the supplemental bills.
Neither the Democratic steering COM
mittee of the senate nor the finance
committee has met since the bills We're
introduced in the house, consequently
there has beer no official action look
ing to decision upon the policy to be
pursued. Some Democratic senators
profess to be deSirouS that the senate
should take them up and dispose OF
them promptly upon their presentation.
This course is advocated alike by Dem
ocratic senators, who think the bills
should be voted: down, and by some
who think there:is a possibility OF the
passage of some of them With Republic
an assistance.
The advocates on the Democratic
side of the chamber Of a duty on coal,
iron ore and barbed wire are of the
opinion that the bills should be voted
down. and thus the agitation Which
they forcsee will not cease until the
question is passed upon and brought to
speedy end. The sugar men, the
friends of both the refinerS and plant
ers. are quite as desirous, for opposite
reasons, that the bill putting sugar on
the free list should not be considered
during the present session They are
undoubtedly somewhat apprehenSive
as to the result in case the senate
should take up this bill, for, while the
Republican senators probably could be
counted to vote solidly against the 9th
er three bills, there are indications TINA
10 f1,n CSr1rn
they will divide and there is apprehen-
sion that sufficient number might
vote with the Democrats who desire
free sugar. to pass the bill. The Repub-
ican steering committee at its meeting
yesterday discussed these questions,
and while there was found to be di-
vision of sentiment, the majority IA
voring the postponement Of all these
separate bills. and especially the free
sugar bill. If. however, they should
De forced to meet the issue they prob.
ably would divide on it, some OF them
supporting the bill and others seeking
to substitute for it the present law con-
tinuing the bounty. They prefer as a
party. however. that there should be a
test on the question of sugar duty as
provided in the senate bills .just agreed
to by the house.
1t has transpired that the Republican
steering committee had under consider
alton the question OF the legality Ill
passing the bill, with special reference
as to whether the house legitinately
had the tariff bill in it's possession,
and that the committee was given to
understand that if the Republicans
should decide to raise this question by
resolution or otherwise they could have
the suIrort of the Louisiana senators
and of Senators Allen and Kyle. Popu-
lists, because of the failure OF the bill
to make provision for the bounty for
the present year.
1t is understood also, that the steering
committee decided that the supple
mental bills should be referred to the
finance committee. The belief that if
this course is taken, they cannot be
reported before the quorum at present
here vallishes. 1t is known that many
senators are expecting to leave as soon
as the Wilson bill is signed by the vice
president and the remaining approprla-
ton bills are disposed OF
There was but scattering of sena-
tors present to-day when the vice presi-
dent called the senate to order. Mr
German Dem., Nd was not in his
seat. Mr.. Hill Dem. n. " was pres
ent. but buried himself in a newspaper
When the reading OF the journal was
concluded q messenger from the house
of representatives was announced and
informed the Sc nate that the house had
passed bill: placing coal, iron ore,
barbed wire and sugar Oh the free list
in which it asked the concurrence OF
the sel ate. Senator Henderson Rep.,
Neb.) objected to the second reading,
and Serator Hill gave notice OF amend
ments re pealing all income taxes. The
bills will come up tomorrow.
President Cleveland will receive the
tariff bill late to-day or early Thurs
day morning, unless some unexpected
obstacle is encountered.