The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-01
Finance Committee Nay Amend
It and II May Not.
NO INSTRUCTIONS FROM CAUCUS
Half . Dozen Senator'S Opposed the
Measure Vigorously.



cratic special caufas on the tariff bill Is
over. and both sid4t are claiming to have
made progress for interests they repre-
sent. The outcoms - in the nature of
victory for the Denneeratic members Of the
finance committeseWho prepared the bill.
- it Was returned to them without any In
structions to make ehanges. Immediately
after adjournment ~ the caucus Senators
German. Brice. nilI Smith. Murphy,
Camden and one ~ two others Who have
been known to be very much opposed 10
the bill Of the finance committee held
consultation. and their attitude IL In direct
contrast with the members Of the finance
committee. When Senator Pugh OF Ala
bama stated that - would not be bound
by the action Of tn caucus. several sen-
ators at once declared that it would
be useless to taks any more votes.
Opinion seems 10 b divided a. to whether
the finance committee will now make any
changes. The impessslon is that some
changes Of minor nature will be made.
as well as some cop4oasions granted where
the demands haS1 Sen apparently just
and where the ch<uges will not nccessi-
tate other changesiq1the bill
1t is expected thatahe bill will now be
disposed Of as soon aa possible. Ono men,
Der Of the Commits said he expected the
bill would be reported to the full commit
tee by Saturday. and efforts viii be made
to get il into the senate early next week.
Republicans look upon the result OF the
caucus as one Of distinct advantage to
them and possible disaster to the bill. II
is thought the strength which tho oppor-
ents Of the bill have shown indicates that
the bill will be modified in the senate or It
may be postponed 70 the FIRST Monday in
December. The probabilities are that the
opposition may be very much like tha. in
the house, making great show 10 secure
concessions. bnt in tho end viii melt away
and the bill will be passed.
The conferences Of Democratic senators
while the senate waA in session today was
devoted to hearing asxtsments from sena-
tors who dssirs changes In the bill. Sens
tors Hill, Brics. White, Gallery and Cor
man were among those present, aud It il
understood they expressed themselves
quite fully - TO the changes they desire.
Tho question Of the method Of levying
duty was discussed, and there was a con-
tsst between those who favored specific
and those who advocated, ID valorem
duties. Senator Hhi iea the opposition 10
the system Of ad valorem duties, and 6en-
ator Mills contended tor the ad vaiorem
svssem. The caucus adjourned at l:45
o'clock. The only vote taken was on q
proposition to put . tax ON iron ore. which
Was lost by . majority Of two votes SEN
ator Pugh announced that he would not
be bound by the action of the caucus on
the proposition. BY general consent the
caucus concluded to recommit the bill TO
the finance committee without inssruc-
tions. except ~ far as the wishes Of the
various senators expressed in the caucus
may be considered ~ such.
Members Of the ways and means commit
tee are watching with kecnest interest the
action of the senatorial caucus on the
tariff bill. The tendency to put the Will
son bill under fire IL watched for the uiti-
mate effect II will have on the revision OF
the tariff. A statement made in caucus
that the Wilson bill was framed without
any consultation with President Cleveland
or Secretary Carlisle was denied by nem-
bers of the committee. An Associa atsd
Press representative talked today with all
the Democratic members Of the committee
in the city. II was disclosed that they ara
not apprehensive that the ssnate's action
wonid materially change the policy and
schedules of the Wilson bill