Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-10
ALL AT SEA.
Senate Wants One. Thing and
House Wants Another.
MAY Agree in an Hour, Possibly
May Be Here Forever"
Tell Story Of What Democrats Have Done
With Tariff Bill.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-How much truth
there is in the report that the tariff con-
ferees, today, are farther apart than ever.
may be seen from the statement of a men,
Der of the conference regarding the situa-
ton as it stood at the adjournment, tLis
evening. This member, who is manager
on the part of the House, said that yester-
day the proposition was made that they
might have their choice between free iron
and coal.
While this matter was being discussed
German made the proposition that the
House should have free coal, and iron ore
should remain at 40 cents ton. Accord
ing to this conferee, this proposition
was accepted and German sent
another offer in the shape of free sugar
The second offer fairly took away the
breath of the House members and after
they had discussed it for short time it was
declined with thanks. The House confer
ees, said this informant, stood just where
they did last night, for duty on sugar iron
taxed at 40 cents a ton and free coal. This
morning, he said, the Senate insisted that
the proposition should be free iron ore and
coal dutiable at 40 cents ton, but the
House refused to accept it.
After a conference, this afternoon, one
of the most prominent senators on the CON-
mittee said he would never vote for ar
agree ment that included free coal, as such
bill would not pass the Senate. This SEN
stor declined to say whether there was an
agreement in sight. I'VE may agree in al
hour" said he, land we may be here sew
eral days, possibly forever"
The ccal men in the Senate are up ir
arms at the thought of free coal, and il
| looks as if all that had been done wa:
about to be undone. While coal and iron
| discussion, they by no means occupied al
the attention of the conferees, today.
1t was said by a Senate conferee that a:
fast as an agreement was reached on one
thing, something else that could not bs
| granted by the Senate was asked for by the
House and insisted upon, although to give
! it was imperilling the success of the bill
The whole conduct of the House conferee,
appeared to be, this gentleman said, that Of
| people seeking to consume time and cause
delay.
This afternoon the demand was made tha
| the wooden, cotton and metal schedule bt
reduced. The Senate conferees told thei
| associates that they could not do it aud The
assertion was made, it is said, that if ths
schedules in question was changed Senator
Smith and Senator Murphy would not vote
for the bill, and any effort to change the
metal schedule would start Senator Quay
again.
The House men insisted and the Senate
conferees withdrew to consult with the
conservatives. A long consultation wa:
had, at which were present German, Biice
and Murphy. Mr.. Smith was sent for but
could not be found or refused to attend
1t was said that Smith, yesterday, delivered
his ultimatum as to the schedules in which
he is interested.
1t is known that when the conference
adjourned, tonight, shortly before 6. the
House was still urging that these schedules
be pared down ard the Senate was still
arguing that to do so meant certain defeat
What the outcome will be is uncertain
There is probability that the Democrats
may reach a conclusion, tomorrow, ard be
able to call in their Republican colleagues
House Conferee Wilson denies the story
that the President smashed the compromise
agreed upon by the conferees on coal
sugar and iron ore, yesterday. He says the
President has never interfered in the delib
erations in the slightest matter, but he has
treated the matter with great delicacy.