Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-15
From the Uncertain Action of the
Republican Caucus.
some DEMOCRATS FEAR DEFEAT
Longer Hours and Cloture Both
Discussed as Possible.
"POP GUN" BILLS POSSIBLE

The conference held by the republicans
at Senator Sherman's house last night does
not appear to have changed the tariff situ-
alton in any respect. No action was taken,
and there Is difference of opinion among
those present as to the preponderance of
sentiment disclosed. OF course there is
universal desire among the republicans to
defeat the tariff bill, but it is questioned by
many whether the prospects of defeating
it by filibuster are favorable enough to
warrant the risk of such a course. The
upshot of all the talk at the conference is
that things will be allowed to drift on for
while longer, and soon another conference
will probably be called. The failure of the
republicans to take the action expected of
them or to give any satisfactory indication
OF their disposition has greatly alarmed the
democrats, and there are great many
who are saying sorrowfully that they fear
the bill is defeated.
Still Capable of Mischief.
This Is superficial view of the case
however, since IL the democrats can ac-
complish anything in any way they are
more apt to do it through being driven to
desperation. The view taken by a good
many republicans is that II they prevent a
vote being reached in reasonable time
on the protection bill now proposed the
democrats. finding themselves pocketed,
may turn and, resorting to desperate means.
force some sort of bill through, and make
II as near a free trade bill in conference as
possible. Failing in this, they might Sc
lect some particular industries of the north
and east for sacrifice in single bills The
democrats have shown their willingness to
surrender everything now, but IL the sur
render Is not accepted, they may, these re-
publicans say. have 1t in their power to do
great deal of mischief yet.
Again Talking of ClOture.
The republicans who take this view of the
situation were unable to so impress IT upon
their colleagues as to get the action they
desired. and 1t is yet to develop how far
their advice will be followed. The demo-
Gratis are again talking of cloture. and they
appear to have no doubt of the cooperation
OF the Vice President. If the republicans
decide to go right ahead, with no object in
view but the defeat Of the bill, the only
thing left for the democrats will be to re-
sort to revolutionary methods to adopt clo-
ture. and they will have to be united to ac-
complish this. If driven to this their aim
will be to. make the bill as Objectionable
to the republicans as possible.
Proposed "Popgun BiIls."
An effort Is being made to have a meet
ing of the House ways and means commit
tee called to report series OF ''popgun
bills" reducing tariff duties, to be put on
appropriation bills as riders.
At the republican conference last night
there were about twenty-five Senators in
attendance, and there was great confusion
of views. The opinion was freely exprsssed
| that the bill could be defeated and Il was
| urged that all that was necessary was to
give the democrats time to widen the breach
| In their ranks. 1t was said that sevecal
democrats could be relied on to help defeat
the bill, but no names were given.
Longer Hours Talked of.
What course the democrats will pursue In
the light of the indefinite result of the
caucus may be developed during the day,
and certainly will be soon. The leaders
were unprepared to talk for publication on
the question when the Senate convened. bu,
they held numerous earnest conversations
among themselves, in which they discussed
the wisdom of changing the present hour OF
meeting to 10 o'clock and of allowing the
sessions to run indefinitely into the
evening. They admit that they are conte n
plating the test of physical endurance usual
in such cases as this by prolonging the ses-
sions far into or through the night, but
they hesitate at this extreme course.
! They are also somewhat doubtful about
| the adViSabiHty Of an attempt to prolong
| the hours, because they feel confident that
such an effort will bring on retaliatory
| measures from the obstructive faction on
the republican side, and Introduce an era
| calls for the reading of long papers, from
which they have been comparatively free
| recently.
What Mr.. Harris VIII Do.
They will take the chances on bringing
about this condition of affairs. however
and 1t Is only a qustion of time when
Senator Harris will renew his resolution for
10 O'Clock sessions. unless he receives more
positive assurance of dispatch of business
from the republican side of the chamber
| than he has yet had.
Discussing the question today, he said that
! his resolution for 10 o'clock sessions had
been only temporarily withdrawn, and that
he certainly should renew 1t unless progress
| was far more rapid than 1t had been in
the past.
Senator Jones' before comforting with his
| colleagues on the situation, today said 1t
| looked to him as IL continuous sessions
would have to be resorted to very soon, as
! he was convinced that they offered the only
| solution of the problem.