Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-25
MAKING SLOW HASTE.
Congress Seems to Follow the Hack
neyed Injunction.
Six Weeks Gene aad eut Little Done-Pros-
pects Of NiIsen Bill.

WAsHIxGTos. d. c.. Jan. 4.-[SpeciAL j.
1t begins to seem as if the Wilson tariff
bill will pass the house without substantial
amendment. The debate on the Democratic
side shows that the measure as it stands
will be given the almost solid support OF
the Democrats. Democrats generally who
are opposed to certain sections Of the bill
will be content to vote against the objec-
.ionable sections and will then vote for the
dill on it's final passage The income tax
proposition IN the most dangerous rock
ahead Of the Democratic ship of state. II
looks ut this time rs though even Mr.. Cieve
land will not be clever enough pilot to
steer clear Of it. There appears To be little
more than one-kalf Of the Democratic mem-
hers who favor u tax on incomes in some
form. Some confine themselves to demand
ing tax only on corporate incomes, while
some ask that all incomes of 5000 or more
he taxed.
Most Of the Republicans are opposed to n
tag of any sort Oh incomes. But they have
concocted n scheme to put the Democratic
majority in hole. The income tax bill is
To be forced to vote OF that there is not
the slightest doubt. This will give the
Republicans the desired opportunity. 1t
will be offered as an amendment to the
tariff bill The Republicans, according to
the present programme, will vote solidly
for It, which, together with the Democratic
votes, will insure its passage. Then. when
the vote is taken on the final passage of the
tariff bill, the Republicans will vote solidly
against IT, This may be good politics,
doubtless il, but it is not craftsmanship.
Danger In the Senate.
The only danger apparently ahead of the
Wilson bill Is in the senate. Ultimately IT.
will pass, OF course, but Indications at this
time all point to number OF radical
changes. Before the bill was reported to
the house by the chairman Of tho ways and
means committee it had passed through
the hands of the president, who gave it the
stamp of his approval. This insures its re-
ceiving the signature of the president If
passed in practically it's present form. All
the influence of the chief executive will be
brought to bear on those Democratic sena-
tors who are inclined to kick over the party
traces.
In fact, the president, now satisfied that
the bill will pass the house substantially as
reported. is already ut work over in the SEN
ate Scarcely day passes but the president
sends for one or more Democrats to ascer'
tain from them directly how they stand TO
ward the Wilson bill in its present shape.
From what is said it is evident that Mr..
Cleveland is making highly satisfactory
progress. Warm friends OF the administers
ton men known to be very close to Mr..
Cleveland, are confidently predicting that
the tariff BILL when it is sent to the White
House, will be substantially the same bill
as reported to the house. Generally speak.
ing, the Democrats at both ends of the cap
itol are well satisfied with the bill, while
the Republicans unanimously condemn it.
The Income Tax Idea.
Upon the income tax proposition the
Democrats are much split up. With the
exception of two men. both of New York,
every eastern Democrat will vote agains.
an income tax of any sort. Not few OF
them would vote against the tariff bill it.
self If an amendment was tackled on taxing
incomes For this very reason, IL for TO
other, the Democratic leaders will see to it
that the Wilson bill Is not weighted down
with the terrible load. just how this is TO
be done the leaders are unwilling to say.
Int it is believed they pin their fate on the
action OF the senate, although they will dc
all in their power to prevent the passage OF
the income tax amendment in the house.
With the tariff bill ont of the way, til.
Hawaiian muddle will be taken up for con.
sideration, and both parties will have Il
grand family quarrel before crowded gal
leres of the curious, who are always on
hand when war of words is expected.
with Queen Lii and Hawaii out of tho
way, the house will probably take up the
financial question. Now that Secretary
Carlisle and the president have decided tc
issue bonds in small denominations there
is an evident determination on the part oil
congress to make haste slowly in this i'm
portant matter of revising the ffnancia
laws of the country. That there is y be ;
very general cverhauiing however, has beer
decided on. but Just what shape this revi
sion will take has not yet been decided
There appears to he widespread difference
Of opinion among the Democratic members
Of the banking and currency committee ant
an inability to get together on the matter.
Watchdog Holman ON Deck.
The certainty of a big deficit at the END
Of the present fiscal year, estimated to b.
S50,Op0, 900, has given the calamity howler'
and professional economists the opportu
nifty TO loudly demand II renewal of Tho
cbeeseparir.y methods of the last congress
.sWatchdogn Holman declares that tn,
great work OF improving and building NJ
the navy must cease, and that congress
will not appropriate dollar for new ships
Fortunately, however. Judge Holman
speaks only for himself and not for con
gress.
Secretary of the Navy Herbert is deter
mined to carry ON the splendid work inau
gurated by Secretary Whitney and abb.
maintained by Secretary Tracy. In this cifor
secretary Herbert will be ably seconded b,
Chairman Cummings of the naval commit
tee of the house. who believes in our nav.
vnd its building up. There is not likely Il
bemuch done in the way OF pension legisla
tion.
DYNAMITE IN the STOW.