Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-11
TARIFF BILL CRISIS.
Hills Resolution GiVeS Pause to the
ConferreeS.
WHAT WILL The SENATE DO?
III II Adopts the New Workers. Proposition
the Conference IL Practically
Endetl-Then What?

WASHINGTON. August l0.-A crisis IN
tariff affairs was reached to-day, both In
the open Senate and In the secret councils
OF the Democratic tariff conferrees. When
the conference closed tonight 1t was win
the understanding that the meetings would
be suspended for the present. No time
was set for reassembling the conferrees
tomorrow or thereafter and 1t was feit
that no further sessions might be neces-
sary In case the Senate acted favoraoiy
tomorrow on Senator Hilis resolution d.
recting the Senate conferrees to report the
situation of affairs. What WAS of most
importance was the feeling expressed by
the House conferrees at the close OF the
conference that in case the Hill resolution
passed-and they believed 1t would pass
the conference would practically be re-
lieved of its work. and 1t would remain
only for the House to accept the Senate
bill, as lesser evil, as they believe. than
the Mckinley law. These conclusions
were reached after a day of intense eN-
element among the tariff leaders.
The day opened with the Senate propo-
stion for free sugar still pending before
the conference. Chairman Wilson and ms
House associates were satisfied that the
tender Of free sugar was not MADE IN
good faith. and they had therefore re-
quested the Senate conferrees to furnish
poll of the Senate. showing that II the
proposition were accepted it would be
adopted by the Senate and the bill passed
The poll was considered as soon as the
conferrees convened. II disclosed that In
the event of acceptance of the free-susar
amendment the bill as whole would BE-
voted against by the thirty-eight Repub-
licans and by Senator's Kyle, Allen. ana
PETER Populsts), and Cafery and
Blanchard (Democrats). a total of 4j
votes, or sufficient to defeat the bill. This
poll was made on the best judgment Of
the Senate conferrees. The House men
accepted IL as showing conclusiveiy that
the tender of the free-sugar amendment,
while made in good faith by the Senate
conferrees, was a means adopted by the
| conservative" senator's for the purpose
| of defeating tariff legislation and leaving
| the Mckinley law in force.
POINTED CRITICISM.
They discussed the situation from this
| standpoint, the arguments not lacking
| very pointed and personal criticism Of
| the motives of those VINO mad offered
| free sugar and free coal as well, know
| ing, as they asserted, that they would
| defeat the bill. The discussion brought
out for the first time the statement that
| the defensive alliance between certain
senator's had proceeded further than mu-
| tual cooperation and understanding and
was now reduced TO signed agreement.
| While members Of the conference did not
| claim TO have seen the agreement, they
! a a rot yxfa
| PETER, Blanchard, and Cafery had re-
! duced their understanding TO black and
| white, and had signed IL, to the effect
| that they would vote against any bill
! which did not contain a bounty clause for
| sugar. AS free sugar would eliminate the
bounty provision. the signed agreement
was regarded as showing that the five
! senators, combined with the Republi-
| cans, would defeat the bill.
1t was while animated comments were
! being made on the foregoing conditions
! that word reached the conference of
! Senator HIPS coup d'etat in the open
| Senate The conference hastily adjourn
ed, the senator's going on the floor 10
take part In the debate. Mr.. Wilson was
not disposed 10 attach much weight to
Senator Hilrs move at the outset, and
sad that it would be futile. as the SEN
ate could not act while the bill was in
conference. This feeling was shared 10
a large extent early in the day by House
leaders. who characterized it as one of
the bluffs" which had been made OF
late to demoralize the House conferrees
and force them TO yield.
PROFOUND CONCERN.
Later in the day, however, this feel
| Ing gave way TO one Of profound concern
over the situation and the future of the
-
remnant Of it. again assembled, with the
| Hin resolution and the exciting debate
thereon as the main topic among them.
All Of the House men were present. but
Senator Jones was the only Senate con-
ferree in attendance for any length OF
time, and it was sad Senator Vest felt
indisposed 10 confer. pending the Hill
resolution.
| Little or no attempt was made to take
up items or schedules, the talk being on
the sensational general phases just de-
yelOped, and no progress was made up to
3 o'clock, when the conference separated
without fixing a time for reassemblns.
The House conferrees no longer dis
guised the deep concern they felt over
the future o. the bill They had made a
rough estimate of the vote on the Hill
resolution, and they thought ii would
pass. Under the circumstances, they said.
nothing could be done until the resolu-
ton was disposed of. If. through some
hopeful turn. it was defeated, they said,
1t would leave the conference 10 proceed.
and the contest would be carried on for
the Wilson bill. IT, however it was passed
II would practically discontinue the con-
ference.
THE HOPE THAT Is LEFT.
In that event, the House men stated
with satisfaction that they would still
be able to avert the complete defeat OF
all tariff legislation. by having the House
agree TO the Senate bill They spoke OF
this as showing that while the situation
was bad, ii did not necessarily mean the
defeat of all tariff legislation.
Whether the House can adopt this der
nler resort is parliamentary question.
Many members OF both houses hold TO the
opinion that the bill is in the hands OF
the Senate and the House cannot act
upon the Senate bill If 1t desires to do
so until the conferrees act.
The Senate conferrees also regard the
situation as very serious. and they sepa-
rated from their House colleagues In no
amiable frame of mind.
STATEMENT FROM HILL
rtt.Ix. ru,tt.r neIav m the TarI6