New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-26
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CONFERREES UNRESTRICTED
THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS DECIDES TO
LEAVE THE BILL ALONE.


AND TELLS THE cUcKoos FEW THINGS
-REPUBLICANs Il TO TAKE A HAND IN
THE FIGHT NOW.
rBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBrxHI
Washington. July 25.-The net result OF the
two days deliberations Of the Democratic Sena-
toria caucus seems 70 have been decision on
the part Of the great majority Of its members
that the only hope OF averting absolute fall
ure Of all tariff legislation at this session lies IN
the prompt return of the pending bill 10 confer
ence without instructions Of any sort 10 the
Senate conferrees. This declaration OF policy
the only possible one which the caucus couid
have been expected to make, since 1t held OUT
to the few unavowed enemies Of the bill In its
present shape the probably deusive prospect OF
further concessions TO the House In Conference
Committee. while placatns the friends or the
bill by an ostens!ble Endorsement Of the action
OF the Senate conferrees IN refusing to surren-
der any Of the amendments which have so
aroused the hostility Of the President and Chair
man Wilson.
Mr.. Villas was evidently weakening yesterday
in his purpose to test tire sincerity OF the con-
servatiye Senators who have boldly and uncom-
promslngly accepted the challenge OF the Presi-
dent and announced their determination to stand
bill at all He Is understood to have yielded -
dav completely. and to have agreed TO withdraw
his motion Of instructions to the conferrees re-
ouring the abandonment Of the one-eighth OF
cent dIfferential on refined sugar in the hope, YET
without the definite assurance, that some "ad-
iustment' OF the sugar schedule which may APP
pease the President and the House Will be ac-
complished In the second conference pet"ee"
the two branches. Mr.. Nllass scheme indorseo
by the Administration. seems 10 include the coh-
version Of the compound rates on sugar cOh-
tanned in the present schedule into single or
fiat rate Of 45 per cent and the retention OF the
coal and iron duties with reciprocity pro'iso
admitting Canadian coal to this country on the
same terms as coal from the United states ID
allowed to enter the Dominion.
BY means Of the merely superficial cnange u
u,,as on sugar-a change which will increase
rather than diminish the protection given 10 'he
sugar Trust-the country, according to this
cuckoo scheme. IS to be tim-iammed ihto oe
ua,inp that the great sugar monopoly has been
deprived Of all protection. while by the reci-
nrocitv clause attached TO the coal duty tho
colossal vanity" OF the President is 10 be spared
the humiliation Of a direct and complete repudia-
t,on nv tho Senate OF his Interpretation OF genu-
inc Democratic principles. That this fim-fiam
nroiect can be successfully accomplished. in con-
fererce or out OF IT, Is more than doubtful, ana
the determined attitude Of the no-surrender
Senators seems 70 point TO its speedy aoahuoh-
ment as impracticable and hopeless
Mr. Smith. Of New-Jersey. voiced the senu-
ments Of these Senators. He made speech ID
tones that even the marble rooms OF the puho-
| ing could not keep from penetrating the ou'siue'
Mr. Smith was emphatic and vehement. he
warned Mr. Villas that he was trif'ins WIN
weighty subject when he talked OF changing
the bill which had been the result OF so much
hard work IN the Senate and which had only
nassad by a very slim majority OF one vote MT
smith said that number Of Senators VINO hao
been opposed 10 the income tax had peen IN
duced 10 vote for the bill because the schedues
relating to the industries Of the great states
they represented had been arranged so their
shons would not be compelled 10 shut mp or their
workmen thrown out Of employment Because
this had been done they had consented 10 swai-
low the income tax and had given their piedse
IN caucus that they would stand by the party.
du,v had been placed on -aw sugar, and if that
was right. it was. he said, no more than risHe
thar differential duty should be placed on re-
| ,ned sugar an industry that gave employment
| ~ thousands of men II the States where refining
of sugar conducted.
Any attempt 10 change this scheduie OF any
other schedule striking al the salient points OF
the bill would. Mr.. Smith said, be nailed VIII
satisfaction by those who had boted the income
,ox because they were very sick Of their bar
gain and would jump at anything that would
release them from 1t. Mr.. Smith In the further
course, of his remarks told the caucus ana Mr'
| Villas 10 whom his remarks appeared 10 DC
| mainly addressed. that if any arrangement hda
ha.r made through the aid of the votes or the
| schedule was 10 be changed that there were
! enough votes at command without those OF tne
sugar Senators TO postpone inde'ihi.eN ns .ne NJ
| ference report and Kill II. In so1enh ,o'es ~.
| smith challenged Mr. Villas TO make tnis shois
and cautioned him that If he did ne ,id woulu m,id
that the bill would be as dead as any ,nlis 'ou1 @
! nossihlv he Mr. Smith also said tnat II Was
| . verv serious matter whether the Dill could even
! no got back to conference 50 narrow was .ie
democratic majority. and the attitude OF Mr.
| Villas was such that he was greatly ithpeI'''"s
! ,he slim chance which the bill did nave It,.
| Mr. Rrice reminded Mr.. Villas OF the frounie tne
! Finance Committee had had in getting a Dill thdt
would commend the support OF the heCSS
| fortv-three votes and said that as member OK
! the steering committee he had at the outsSl an
| alvzed the vote in the Senate and tounu Una, ,, .
bill could only be passed by careIuy h
| ,ha concessions demanded by the senators WIG
represented the manufacturing and indus'riai
States -, ~. ,r,arroga
,,niss between Mr. Villas and other Senator's the
bent NJ ali being TO get the Wisconsin senator 70
agree TO withdraw his motion, Whi'h "aS 'oO"u
upon as putting the whole bill IN JEOPARDY. u.
| In one Of these cross-tires Mr.. smith recaiied
| ~ Mr. Villas a speech he formerly made IN me
caucus in which he pleaded for unity ana mar
mony and insisted that the Democrats get ,o-
rether upon some sort OF bill so that the party
| could keep its pledges. Mr.. Smith Is sald 10
have reminded Mr.. Villas that he was one OF 'ne
most persistent Senators in asking Senators -, 10
pledge themselves 10 stand by the o,li
| that was agreed upon. so that II nignt
safely pass the Senate. Mr. Villas admitted max
ing this speech but he said that he ala not con-
slider that those pledges bound the Senate atter
the bill got out OF the Senate and into the con-
! ference.
| This reply rrtated Mr.. smith, VINO retor'eo
that that sort Of "Mugwump logic" might be
efrectual In some places. but II would not DO IN
| caucus where men pledged themselves to stand