The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-27
TARIFF BATTLE.
Democrats Now Said to Be
United on the Subject.

The real tarln tight is now on. The
Democratic managers have given notice
60 the Republicans that they intend 10
force the fighting until the measure is dis
posed Of.
IL Is evident that the Democrats are go
tng forward with supreme confidence In
their strength. and will resort TO all meas
ures consistent with parliamentary prac-
tice to push the bill 10 a final vote in as
short time as possible.
They appear TO be confident of their
{ ability TO pass the bill, the differences be-
tween the opposing elements of the party
having been satisfactorily adjusted. The
concessions and notifications which have
been made in the bill. including those
in the income tax, have had tendency to
allay all differences. IL can be stated that
the Democratic members are much
nearer binding agreement than at any
time since their conferences commenced.
The president and members of the ad-
ministration have contributed much TO
bring about satisfactory understand
ing la all the conferences that have
been held the two New York senators,
Hill and Murphy, have not been consulted
or asked TO participate.
CleveIand's Attitude.
There seems TO be much doubt as TO the
attitude of the president on the income
tax proposition. Mem bers of the finance
committee have all along expressed the
opinion that the president was not OPP
posed TO this tax: but prominent New
York Democrat who has talked with the
president within the last day or two con-
cerning this matter came away from the
executive mansion feeling assured that
the proposition did not meet with his APP
proval.
Ii is now understood that the Republi-
cars from the silver states will not assist
In breaking n quorum, as they desire TO
take revenge upon the sound money sena-
tors of their party for the fight they made
during the extra session. Senator Teller's
intimation of the attitude of his silver
colleagues is received with great favor by
the Democrats. II the western Republi-
cans vote with the Democrats to make "A
quorum, the task of the latter will be
lighter and the bill may be pushed more
rapidly TO conclusion.
The principal changes TO he made in
the tariff bill, in accordance with the
agreement made by Democratic senators,
are i'm the income tax and the sugar
schedule. The sugar men have been from
the first clamorous for ad valorem in
stead of a specific duty and that change
has been conceded. The duties are not
absolutely fixed, but there is little doubt
that the sugar schedule will be entirely
supplanted by "A new one, which will pro-
vide uniform duty Of 40 per cent ad
valorem with an addition OF l-S of cent
for refined sugar
In the House.
For the first time since the Democratic
caucus determined to impose the law of
1865 to dock members absent, except on
account of sickness, the matter was Off
cially brought to the attention of the
house.
1t came up In the shape of privileged
resolution presented by Mr.. Mahon (Rep.,
Pal, who contended that the rights of the
members had been invaded by the SER
geant- -atarms, the latter having dis
tributed blank certificates in accordance
with the old law requiring members to
make statements as to the mum ber of days
they had been absent, the reason there
for, ETC.
After an inter esting debate the speaker
held that the resolution was not privi.
legged, on the ground that the question of
the right of C member 10 his salary was
purely legal one and in no way affected
his parliamentary rights This put
sudden stop TO the discussion, and the
house proceeded with and completed the
consideration of the diplomatic bill.
No amendments of Importance have
been adopted, although week has been
devoted To this bill. As passed the. bill
carries $l,b1373s a decrease OF $40, 706
compared with the appropriations for the
current year. After the passage of tne
diplomatic bill the house adjourned.