The Washington times., 1894-04-28
CLOAK ROOM AND GALLERY.


For the first time in some days the Senate
when it met this morning were short Of q
quorum, and Senator Harris had to make his
stereotyped and Autographed motion That
the Sergeant-at-Arms be directed to request
the atiendance- Of absent senators. 81
Probably the decision to meet at II O'Clock
had been forgotten by most OF the members,
because 1t was not long before the necessary
quorum appeared. Fit was net forgetful-
ness It was indifference; and 1t can hardly
have been that So early in the debare..
Already the eyes OF tine Capitol police and
doorkeepers are getting more yigiiant The
average suspicious or remarkable-looking
visitor gets good deal more examination as
he passes through the corridors than usual,
and is likely to be taken as an advance Coxey-
ite If his Conduct or behovior is at all un-
usual.
But there are many evidences that no one is
very much alarmed Even the notice ''for
members only" at the entrance to the House
restaurant has been renewed. 1t drives away
some trade and proved rather an expensive
and a wholly unnecessary and Improbable
precaution.
Will the tariff bill as 1t ultimately comes
from the Senate and House conference COM
mittee be speedily adopted in the House,
was the question asked number of the men,
bers of that body yesterday, or will 1t open
the ground for fresh debate, which will
prolong the struggle some time longer?
Most OF the replies indicated that the
House would be glad to pass any bill. and
would feel the responsibility upon it to ac-
cept the conference suggestion cheerfully.
One or two thought otherwise, and declared
that ''the sugar duty must come of, and
''the House must not show too much sub
serviency to the Senate.'' ~ - "a -
A northern Democratic representative
stated that in his opinion tho southern and
western Democrats would not yield single
point. and would rather defeat the bill than
accept il under any observation-disclosures; and
he thought further that there would be many
Republicans who would artfully lead them
into this trap, and at the same time endeavor
to throw the blame for the failure OF the bill
on Democratic shoulders. fearing otherwise
the consequence of their acts in their own
party.
GAS Tom Reed says, no one save the Deity
knows what form the tariff bill will take when
it is finally enacted" replied Mr.. Gardner, OF
New Jersey, when asked by a brother Con-
gresham what changes he expected.
It reminds me of remark made by Lord
Erskine once in Parliament. He said that
there was one thing that in his belief not even
God could be supposed to know beforehand,
and that was the decision OF petit jury.
II think that about hits the case of the
tariff BILL"
II anyone believes that the Finance Com
mittee are through with their labors and have
presented all their amendments to the tariff
bill. he should drop into the Senate restau-
rant about noon, or 60 into the committee
rooms where some members OF the Finance
Committee take their lunch. 1t comes about
as close to "smash" as Senators are in the
habit Of coming.
Senators who usually lunch at leisure in
the private room are served with .'sometEing
ready In their committee rooms or take a
bite at the counter. Even Senator Vest, who
says he does not know that there are more
amendments being prepared, was Obliged to
cast aside his Senatorial dignity to that ex-
tent yesterday. He wanted to have another
Of those little conferences with Senator Smith,
and he had it.
Handsomely bound red leather, marble
edged quartos containing the different tariff
bills and showing the variations under the
schedules, as requested some time ago by
Senator Allison, were placed on the desks OF
each Senator yesterday.
Not many took the pains to read them over
or refer to them during the day, but Senator
Faulkner. an ideal compromiser, who would
meet the approval OF that high archpriest and
authority on compromise, John Morley, was
the most diligent student of the red book"
and will probably be heard from at the proper
time. ---
Citizen George Francis Train was at the
Capitol yesterday. He was in rather nom
communicative mood after his police court
experience of the day, but listened patiently
to what was said, and in personal appearance
was hardly distinguishable from the usual
''rounder."