Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-25

UNDERSTANDINGS
could produce, defeated to-day the
amendment offered yesterday by Chair
man Wilson of the ways and means
committee, fixing date for the enforce
ment of the free wool Schedule. No
stronger commentator of the commits
tees wisdom in deciding TO terminate
the uncertainty which is now said to
be embarrassing the wool industry
could have been made than the opposi-
ton of the Republicans. AT the same
time no more forcible commentary on
the principle OF the protectonists is
needed than the spectacle furnished by
them to-day, when, in order to weaken,
if possible, the Wilson bill, they voted
10 prolong the alleged evils over which
they have been shouting themselves
hoarse.
The fight against the amendment was
led by Representative Tom johnson of
Ohio, the most pronounced free trader
in the House. He thought the extern
sion of the time for reducing duties was
an aid 10 the protectionists. In this
there was no lack Of sincerity, and the
other Democrats who followed his lead
were equally anxious to prevent any
concessions to the Republican policy.
The Republicans, however, recognizing
the propriety Of Chairman Wilson's
proposition, first demonstrated their
opposition to it by voting to suspend the
operation of the free wool schedule until
1898, and, failing, they, with remarkable
inconsistency, then voted with the free
traders TO make wool free Immediately
upon the enactment of the new law. 1t
was the first time since the fight in the
House began that the Republicans have
shown their hands in an open effort TO
create dissension in the Democratic
party. To-day their action was of little
importance. The Democrats will prob
ably upon an aye and nay vote in the
House, after consideration of the bill in
the committee of the whole has ended,
adopt MIR. Wilson's amendment.
THE WAY THE AMENDMENT WAS
ADOPTED.
The action, however, was significant,
inasmuch as it made manifest the rule.
or-ruin spirit, which necessarily has its
origin with the desire to keep alive a
contention which the people of the
country have settled in favor of the
policy the Democrats intend to put in
force. Whether such a spirit can be-
come a menace to the success of the
tariff bill fortunately does not depend
upon the efforts of the Republicans. It
can only be made effective by the Demo
Gratis themselves through foolish
desire on the part of a minority to give
the party policy shape the majority
object to.
Mr.. Johnson's amendment to-day was
defeated by the Democrats. On a
division the Republicans refrained from
voting, probably from a desire to see
how the land lay. As result the vote
against Mr.. Johnson's proposition was
80 to 6S. The zeal of the member from
Ohio and of those who followed him
could not be suppressed by an express
sion Of disapproval from the majority
of the party. He demanded tellers, and
on the next vote the Republicans
thronged to his support and carried his
amendment, Notwithstanding the fact
that the number Of Democrats who
voted to sustain the ways and means
committee increased from SO to 102, and
this with but limited attendance Of
members.
DANGER OF SUCH DISAGREEMENT.
The difference of opinion among the
Democrats as exhibited to-day was oil
very trivial moment so far as its effecl
is concerned. Mr.. Wilson himself would
make no very strenuous objection to the
immediate enforcement of the law n
the time for its adoption by the Senat,
could be definitely determined. i
could hardly be characterized as a seri
Gus dissension.
If the same spirit was allowed to con
tinue, however, appealing from the iudg
ment Of the Democrats to that of tn
Republicans for q settlement of eacl
question, upon which minority dis
agrees with the majority of the party, i
would very soon become a danger s,
alarming that the character of the bill
Itself would be threatened.
REPUBLICAN, LEADERS SILENT.
So far as the debate on the bill is con
cerned, the Republican leaders hav,
practically abandoned it to the least re
sponsible members on their Tide of tn
chamber.
MIR. Walker of Massachusetts,. MI
Pickler of South Dakota, and a fey
others ranted to-day for protection
while Mr.. Reed and the other NOR
prominent Republicans sat silent il
their seats. Mr.. Reed, in fact, showed
decided desire to shut off some of hi
friends, and upon one proposition, whe
the time for debate was limited an
equally divided between Mr.. Reed an,
Mr.. Wilson as the two leaders. Iii
former refused to utilize large porto
OF his time, Notwithstanding the vocifel
GUS demands Of several Republicans /
be allowed to speak.
MIR. Cochran of New York, arai
aided Mr.. Wilson in conducting the dt
bate and demonstrated by his READINGS
to meet all objections made to the bill
his conspicuous ability as leader upo
the floor.
Wool was again the principal them
of discussion to-day, and Mr.. Burrow
somewhat surprised the members of tb
Texas delegation by presenting a pei
ton purporting to come from the Wo,
producers of western Texas, asking til,
the Mckinley duty be retained on ra
wool. This gave Mr.. Grain OF the Tex,
delegation, an opportunity to make
very forcible speech, in which he mac
plain the absurdity of these Republics
petitions by showing that free wool ht
been made an issue in all the rece
campaigns in Texas, and the people
the State had voted, not once, but +
peatedly in its favor.
Bogus Solicitors Held.
In municipal court, last Thursda
Michael Carney and Lawrence, ali
ttSchnonarh Long xuara raorrot,,,,od /,