Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-01
NO YIELDING.
Reports That Senate Weakens
on Tariff Bill Denied.
Senator Jones Says Concessions Viii
be Made on Some Points,
But Senate Stand en- Coal, Iron and Sugar
Will be Maintained.

WASHINGTON, July 3l.-Senator Jones
was present, this morning, for only q short
time at the meeting of the tariff conferees.
After the conference Senator Jones, in
common with other senators, denied the ac-
curacy of the story sent out, last night, to
the effect that the Senate ives weakening.
ANY man who understands the situation
in the Senate" said Mr.. Jones'" will see
that it is utterly impossible for the Senate
to yield in this matter. OF course, there
will be concessions, as there always are !;
but in the three items, coal iron and sugar,
over which there has been so much conten-
ZION, it does not appear clear TO me. at
least, how the Senate can giveway and then
expect to pass the bill
This sentiment was endorsed by Senator
Smith and Senator German. They furthe r
said they have about settled the matter of
iron ore and coal. Iron ore will remain as
fixed by the Senate. Coal will also be kept
on the dutiable list without any change in
the rate of duty, but it may be that the
Senate will permit an amendment which
will be in the line of reciprocity, admitting G
Canadian coal free if the Dominion admits
the coal of this country free. Sugar still
continues to be one of the contentious.
This afternoon, Mr.. Springer went over
to the Senate side of the Capitol to see
what chances there were for the House
tariff bill or compromise. He returned
to the House feeling very confident that
there was no sign of weakening on the Sen
ate. He believed this Congress will pass
a tariff bill, and the day of its passage is
not far distant. When asked about his call
for caucus Springer replied that he had
more than the requisite number of sigma
lures and that caucus would be held.
A story is in circulation, tonight, to the
effect that the House conferees, this after
noon, offered their Senate colleagues the
basis Of a settlement for the three disputed
items; to wit, iron ore to be placed on the
free list; coal to be taxed at 40 cents per
ton, with the reciprocal provision that
would admit coal from Canada free if that
country admitted our coal under like condi-
tions; duty of Is per cent. flat to be
levied on all sugar and bounty to be paid
on the 1891 crop at the rate of eight-tenths
of a cent a pound on all sugar testing be-
tween so and 80 degrees and nine-tentns Of
a cent pound on all sugar testing more
than 80 degrees.
1t is said that the senators and members
of the House from Louisiana held confer
ence, this afternoon, and agreed that they
would accept this proposition. According
to this same story, the Senate conferees are
anxious to accept the proposition and Sena-
tor Jones had a long conference with Mr..
Smith, urging him to give bis consent to its
acceptance.
Opposed to this story is another to the eff
feet that at the conference, this morning
Mr.. Jones gave the House conferees an
ultimatum on the part of the Senate. Ii
was that upon The three items of coal, iron
ore and sugar the House must accept the
Senate bill and that definite results must be
reached within AZ hours.