Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-12
THE SUGAR TAX
No Effect on the Pending Bill From
the Meeting Yesterday.
DEMOCRATS TROUBLED over BILL
Have to Stand and Take the Re-
publicans' Ridicule.
FREE TRADERS DISGUSTED

1t Is not thought that the meeting Of the
sugar men in Louisiana yesterday will have
any influence upon the fate of the tariff
bill. The Louisiana delegation have got
much more for sugar in the present tariff
bill than they thought they would when
the fight was made on them in the House.
They have not got all they want but are
pretty well satisfied. There appears to be
nothing in the talk of the Louisiana Sena-
tors voting with Hill against the bill If
the defeat of all tariff legislation would in
sure the retention of the bounty of 2 cents
a pound they might be tempted to demand
more protection than the pending bill af-
fords or else Join in an effort to defeat
legislation. 1t is quite evident, however.
that IL the tariff bill were beaten an effort
would at once be made to repeal the bounty
clause in the Mckinley law. with almost
q certainty of success. Therefore 1t is only
through the new bill that the louisiana
sugar men can look for any protection
whatever.
Troubled Over Hill.
The democrats are utterly unable to figure
out where Hill is going to get the following
among democrats which would be necessary
to the success CT his effort to kill the bill
They are greatly troubled, all the same.
because OF the inference that he would not
take the position he has with such conf
dence IL he had no support except on the
republican side Murphy Is so well pleased
with the concessions that have been made
to him, especially as to collars and cuffs,
that 1t Is thought he will not follow Hill.
1t is believed that the fear of being regarded
as a mere puppet in the hands of Hill
would make him reluctant to yield compla-
cent obedience to his colleague. Where else
Hill can command democratic votes does not
appear.
Republicans Satisfied.
The republicans find the greatest satisfac-
ton IN the situation. feeling that they will
have won a victory In the growth of pro-
lection In the bill, whether they succeed in
defeating the bill or not. They profess conf
dence that the bill win be beaten. and the
democrats are undoubtedly anxious. The tone
OF Jocularity with which the republicans are
now conducting the discussion of the bill Is
extremely irritating and depressing to the
friends Of the measure, II II has any true
friends.
In attacking the democratic position the
free use Of ridicule and the patronizing
manner assumed Is very effective in dis
comforting the democrats, who are con-
scious Of the awkwardness of the position
In which they have been placed by the
protectionists in their own party.
Yesterday's Extraordinary Scene.
The scene In the Senate yesterday. when
Chandler and others welcomed Jones into
the party OF protection and extended gen.
eral invitation to democrats to come in and
make themselves at home. which was fol-
lowed by the republicans, to a man, voting
for the compromise amendments. was one
OF the most extraordinary in the history of
legislation. The democrats were perfectly
helpless before the shafts of ridicule. and
could only sit there in sullen silence while
being made sport of. Hill alone stood out
In defiance OF all policy and placed himself
beyond the taunts which his colleagu
were compelled to yield to. The result of
the roll calls made 1t appear as II all the
rest OF the Senators belonged to one party
and he the solitary minority
The Protective Amendments.
This action on the part of the republi-
cans in voting for the compromise amend
ments that came up disclosed their policy.
indicating that they propose to recognize
these amendments as steps toward pro-
lection and to aid in their adoption, though,
Of course, not voting for the bill finally.
The fact that these amendments are so
acceptable to the republicans Is doubly ir-
fttating to the free traders, who are forced
70 propose them and vote for them. as II
they enjoyed doing so.
Out Of this situation is developing a disgust
pm the part OF the tariff reform Senators.
which Is shown in their countenances and
the indifference they show as to the fate
OF the muttlatld