Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-15
Will the President Veto or Sign
the Tariff Bill?
Generally Believed It Will Become a
Law Without His Signature.
Free Coal, Iron Ore Wire and Sugar Bills
Reach The Senate.

next subject of speculation is as TO the
Presidents position regarding it. Will he
sigl it, or permit tito become law with
out his signature, or will his disapproval of
the measure lead him to veto it? A few
believe he will take SO extreme course as
vetoing it.
1t has been stated repeatedly by those
who reflect his sentiments that he would
agree to a bill which came to him with the
approval of the House conferees. The
Senate BILL as shown by yesterdays vote,
has not only the approval of the House con-
ferees, but WAS endorsed by the House
Democrats in caucus to the number of l30
in the affirmative to 2l in opposition.
Not many believe the President will sign
the bill. 1t is thought that his opposition
to the measure is 80 strong that he cannot
consistently affix his signature to it, but
rather than have no tariff legislation by
this Congress he win permit it to become a
law without signing it. This opinion is
shared by the best informed men in the
House.
Enrolling on the tariff bill was completed
last night, by the committee on enrolled
bills now comparing it with the original
teAt from which it was copied. The COM
mittee expects to complete the work, to-
morrow, in time to have the bill signed by
the Speaker and Vice President for trans
mission to the President.
There were numerous conferences, to-
day, on both sides OF the Senate chamber,
all having as their object the entertainment
of what steps will be taken in regard to the
four tariff bill, sent over by the House.
The Republican steering committee was in
session, this morning, and for time dis
cussed the situation from every point of
view.
One of the prominent leaders of the Re-
publicans expressed the belief that none of
the bills would receive the affirmative ac-
ton of the Senate, and said they would be
either postponed or sent to the finance com.
mittee, where they would remain until the
next session of Congress, at least.
Prominent Democrats admit the impossi-
bility of action, but insist that vote shall
be taken. The Republicans will have the
Louisiana senators and Populists on their
side if they begin fight against the free
sugar bill, and Mr.. Henderson is authority
for the statement that if the Democrats at
tempt to force that bill to the front they
viii. precipitate debate that will result in
the wedding in and out of quorum.
Some senators have arranged to leave the
city, although Mr.. Dolph is endeavoring to
persuade the Republicans to remain until
Saturday, as he fears the President may
veto the river and harbCr bill. As the time
in which he must either sign or veto the bill
expires next Saturday Mr. Dolph is anxious
that the quorum shall not disappear before
that time.
1t is understood that some of the Demo-
cratic members Of the committee Oh finance
will call upon the President and urge him
TO keep Congress in session until the tariff
bills are acted upon. Should this material
ize, it is said, determined effort at filibus-
tering will begin.
There was something of a furry about
the SenSte, today, during the earlier hours
of the session, when the four separate tariff
bills came over from the House, and it was
feared that in some way action might be
forced and showing of hands compelled to
be made. Especially was this true of the
bill to put sugar on the free list.
There appears no hope for any of these
bills to become laws as there is a DISPOSE
ton on the part of the leaders to smother
them in the committee. A Republican
leader said, tonight, that Republicans made
sugar free and gave the growers bounty.
and the Democrats repealed that law. Now
the Democrats wanted the Republicans to
assist them in putting sugar back on the
free list without bounty. This the Re-
publicans will not do.
Should there be any effort on the part of
those anxious for free sugar to attempt to
prevent the sending of the bills to the
finance committee and secure immediate
action, the bills will be called up one at a
time and made the basis for the formation
of another new tariff bill. Hill
began work, today, when he gave
notice of an amendment providing for
the repeal of the income tax. Stewart is
ready to lay before the Senate free coin
age amendment for each independent bill
Aldrich will offer an amendment that re-
peals the enacting clause of the bill to which
the House agreed, yesterday.
A most determined fight will be COM
menced should there be any disposition
shown to treat these Independent measures
with any seriousness. 1t does not appear
how a quorum could be maintained to keep
up this sort of thing. Senators Teller and
Dixon have already taken their departure,
and it is predicted that the end of this week
will find the Senate without quorum.