Evening star., 1894-02-28
Democratic Senators Are Still Dis
cussing the Tariff Bill.
THE COMMITTEES METHODS CRITICISED
A AFlurry Caused by an Attempt to
Force q Vote.
THE ROBABLE RESULT

The democratic Senators went into caucus
at 10 o'clock this morning and remained
until the hour of meeting Of the Senate. and
will caucus again this afternoon. 1t is fully
expected that an agreement will be reached
before the caucus adjourns for the day.
A number Of things have been developed
out Of the most extraordinary situation
which led to the present caucus. States
men In Congress are very reluctant to at
tribute motives to Senator'S, but there Is q
very wide belief that there are three Sena-
tors who desire the defeat Of the tariff
bill more than anything else, and 1t Is be-
heved that others who have Joined them in
opposition to the committee bill. not them
selves having any such object in view, will
ABANDON these men whenever a spirit OF
concession Is shown on the other side.
The Sugar Question.
1t Is said that Mr.. White. by his course
In the caucus. has done more to hurt the
cause Of sugar. which he Is advocating.
than has any one else and the result may
be failure to get even much as the
committee were willing to give. The belief
Is that in the final solution of the question
the committee will make some concessions.
but that in the main the committee bill will
De adopted ard the committee sustained.
The principal contest is not ove- sugar.
but over iron ore. and there is an indication
that there may be small duty put on Iron
ore, "n1cn VIII De a concession the commit
tee Is most reluctant to make. A duty of
90 cents on coal is what the committee has
expected all along, and any duty not above
cent and an eighth on sugar which does
not discriminate in favor of refined sugar
will not be especially offensive to the COM
mittee. and 1t is believed to be certain of
adoption.
Duty on Iron Ore.
1t IL the duty on iron ore which Brice
wants and expects rather than a duty on
yUilI
list. and that the income tax will stay in the
bill, are regarded absolute certaintiss
On the whole it is not believed that the bill
arter going through the caucus will differ
materially. except in the case of iron ora
from That favored by the committee. 1t Is
not improbable that duty will be put on
iead, as IL is understood that there is only
one democratic member of the committee
VINO opposes such a duty
Inc morning session of the caucus was
devoted largely to the speech of Senator
w mite OF California. who discussed the
Irult and wine schedules The Senator
,,r,, u,a no. desire many changes, but insisted
upon several that he thought were neces-
sary TO make the bill complete for his
state
Committee Methods Criticised,
senator Brice had the floor during a part
OF the session and made another spirited
talk upon the methods which the finance
committee has adopted in shaping the
Grln Dill. He directed his remarks on this
occasion especially at the apparent desire
Tor haste IN getting through with the
work of the caucus
A motion had been made to proceed with
tne voting on the various schedules in
acCoruance with resolution offered by
senator Martin of Kansas. 1t looked for
the time as II this order might be imme-
oiatey declared. but it was stoutly re-
sisted by Mr. Brice and others. Mr.. Brice
declared that such course at this time
eIore there had been a full and free ex-
nanse OF views would be contrary to the
spirit or the conference and would en-
gender more bad feeling than now exists
He pleaded for sufficient opportunity to
discuss the bill in all its bearings and said
uonal aspects.
The discussion today was also largely de-
voted to the question of the method of
Cvying duty. and the contest was between
nose who favored specific and those who
advocated ad valorem duties
Against Ad ValOrem Duties.
There was quite a strong disposition
manifest among the northern and eastern
Senators to attack the system upon which
the Senate bill had been framed, which
changes almost every schedule so as to
provide for ad valorem duties Senator
Hill led the opposition to this system, and
while he expressed the opinion that ad
valorem duties were feasible in some cases
he contended that general adoption Of
this system in opposition to the specific
system would prove delusive and be the
means of encouraging a great deal of fraud
In the collection of the revenues. He said
also that the people most interested in the
tariff were generally opposed to this sys-
tenn, not only for these reasons, but be-
cause of the uncertainties and intricacies
which 1t Involved.
Senator Mills contended for the ad
valorem system as the most equitable and
just to all concerned, and declared that
under the proper administration of the
law than the other.
The furry which occurred just prior to ad-
1ournment at l. o'clock was occasioned
by the effort to reach a vote upon Sena-
tor Martins resolution. which looks to re-
ferring the bill to the finance committee
with instructions on certain lines.
Absentees who were in the building were
sent for in hot haste and IL looked for
time as II the caucus was about to be sud-
denly terminated without reference to the
wishes Of those who were pleading for time
that the bill might have fuller consfdera-
ton. The lattnr element rallied its forces
rapidly. however. and prevented action.
To Go Back t. the Committee.
It IN now understood among many Of the
Senators that the caucus will not attempt
70 go through the bill item by item. as that
would be an almost endless task. but that
II will In all probability send 1T back to
the COMMITTEES with instructions upon gen.
portant articles, leaving the details to the
committee II the discontented Senators
agree to this II is probable that the caucus
will soon terminate its labors-
Notwithstanding the fact that the caucus
adjourned until 2:30 to give Senator Frye
time to make his speech. 1t was practically,
though informally. continued by the lead
Ing democratic Senators in the room Of the
Senate finance committee, while Mr.. Frye
spoke. Senator Voorhees, invited the DEM
ccratic Senators to this room and they con-
tnued their discussions there very much as
they would have done II more formally
called together.
Mr. VoOrhees' Hope.
It Is ascertained this afternoon that the
friends OF the Wilson bill are now calculat-
ing that the bill will be disposed Of both
by the caucus and by the finance commit
tee In time to report 1t to the Senate on
next Tuesday. This calculation is based on
the belief that the caucus will talk itself
out by Friday of this week and that the
Dill will not be delayed in committee longer
tnan two days. These calculations. how
ever. are taken to represent the most rose
ete hopes of Mr.. Voorhees,, because there
are Few who believe that the caucus will
conclude Its wrangling this week or that
the republican members of the finance COM
nnlttee VIII permit the bill to be rushed
through the committee in a short