The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-15
THE new TARIFF BILL.
The Presidents Friends Urging to
4. Sign 1t at Once.
SENATORIAL STEERING COMMITTEE
Considering What Shall be Done with the
Supplemental Tariff Bills Passed by the
House--senator Hill Still Fighting the
Income Tax.

Supplemental Tariff Bills Passed by the
House--ssnator Hill Still Fighting the
Income Tax.
WASHINGTON, Aug 15-The tariff bill
Is expected to reach the president some
slime tomorrow, after which he will have
until a week from next Tuesday IL he de-
sires In which to consider it before return
Ing 1t to the senate. 1t can be stated with
almost absolute certainty that the bill
will become a law, either by the presi-
dents signature or by his retaining it ten
days without action. the presumption be-
ing largely in favor of the latter alterna-
tiye. The president has repeatedly told
his friends that he could not sign the bill,
but many of his closest personal and po-
iitical friends have urged him to sign the
bill without delay. Several reasons were
urged, among them the fact that the
opening of fall trade was close at hand
and that delay Of ten days might result
In serious loss of customs revenue
Another reason stated was that congress
was extremely anxious to adjourn. With
She exception of two months, the MEM
bers had Eeen in constant attendance for
over II year, and it was represented that
now that their W ork was practically ac-
complishcd it would be hardly fair to
compel them to remain here in idleness
when no positive good could be accom-.
plished thereby He was advised to for
get his scruples in the matter, sign the
bill, and return it with message which
would leave no room for doubt as to his
views thereon.
1t is estimated that during the next ten
days the receipts from internal revenue
probably will amount to between Sl0, ,00O,-
OOO and $4,000, 600, and the government
will lose the increased whisky tax to this
extent. In view of the depleted condition
OF the treasury this argument probably
will have weight with the president 1t Is
known, though, that up TO this time tho
president has not changed his determine
tipn to permit the bill to become law by
etaining it the necessary ten days with
out action,
The Democratic leaders of the senate
have occupied a considerable portion of
the day in trying to determine what course
10 pursue with reference to the supple
mental tariff bills. The Democratic steer
Ing COMMITTEES was in session for two
hours yesterday after the senate adjourned
trying to determine upon the most adyis-
able policy, under the circumstances and
previous to the meeting the conservative
senators had u consultation on the same
subject.
1t isunderstood that the conservatives
advocate the reference of the bills to the
finance committee, while the steering
committee is apparently somewhat di.
sidcd oil the question. Appearances all
Indicate however, that u large majority
OF the Democratic senators would like to
have the bills passed ii they could feel as
sured that their passage would not re-
Once the governmental revenues to too
great an extent. The interest in these
bills, as in the main tariff bill is in tho
sugar question, and it is to the free sugar
bill that they are giving their principal
attention. There is mn evident tendency
on the part of II majority of Democratic
senators toward amending the sugar bill
50 as to make il revenue bill pure and
simple. A leading member of the steer
ting committee expressed the opinion that
sduty of % or B0per cent on sugar would
afford all the revenue from that source
that would be needed.
1t would appear that, so far, the only
definite arrangement is for the discussion
OF the bills Mt today's session. II would
be impossible, in the face of single OBJ
tection, TO force the bills to third read
Ing today and it Is probable that large
part of the day will be given up to debate
o. u motion to refer to committee This
will serve to develop the real Intentions OF
h Republicans toward the bills and
po II ly TO develop what ferences there
my be in the Democratic party.
What little interest there was in the
proceedings OF congress yesterday cen-
terod in tho senate, the house not being
IN session. The only event OF note was the
reception of the four special bills passed
by the house Monday night, putting coal,
iron ore, sugar and barbed wire on the
free list. These were laid before the SEN
ate and read once, their second reading
being objected TO. Mr.. Hill offered an
niacndment to euch of these bills, provid-
ing for the repeal OF the income tax.