The morning call., 1894-08-12

action sending the bill to conference.
which would bring it as amended by the
Senate again before the House. The par
liamentary difficulties are not so serious
as the other complications which have
arisen and which may arise before the
caucus on NJ nday and before the Senate
meets again to prevent an adjustment OF
the differences.
At present the questions remaining I'M
answered are: Win the House caucus
decide to take the Senate bill or will de-
cision be reached to make one more effort
to agree on a COMPROMISE bill? 1t is con-
ceded by almost all parties now that fewer
concessions are to be expected Of the Sen
ate than probably could have been OBJ
tanned week ago; that The outlook at this
time is between no bill, the Senate bill and
the Senate bill modified, but not to great
degree.
When Speaker Crisp and Chairman Will
son determined after conference at noon
that House caucus should be called on
Monday morning, another new element
was added to the tariff situation. The
House conferees had previously concluded
that a caucus was desira bic and Crisp
quickly assented to the plan, his name and
that of Wilson heading the petition TO
Chairman Holman that the caucus be
called. With this authoritative indorse-
ment from the House and tariff leaders
signatures were secured as fast as the
paper could be passed about, and The num-
Der necessary for the call was obtained
within half an hour. Crisp went over TO
the Senate and told the Senators what had
been done, and this was one of the main
causes for the postponing of the Hill reso
luton until Monday, as the caucus at 10
A. NJ. will give an opportunity for the
House to determine upon it's policy before
the Hill resolution is taken up at u
O'clock. Throughout the day the pur-
poses of the case were eanvassed from
. every possible standpoint.
Speaker Crisp said OF it: There is no
prearranged programme for the caucus.
The House cOnferees thought they would
like to inform their associates Of the diff
culties encountered and of the position
they had taken up to The present time. l
do not know that they desire or intend TO
ask for any particular line Of action. 1t is
called simply to allow them to inform
Democratic members OF the exact situa-
ton. What line of action will be devel-
oped / cannot say, and l think IL will de-
pc nd largely on circumstances. There is
no purpose on the part of the confeTees
so far as l know to present the question
of the Senate bill or no BILL but that
may ana probably will come up"
Chairman Wilson also treated the eau
Gus as designed for the purpose of giving
and receiving information and advice. He
said he would make a full statement Of
recent difficulties in conference and of
certain miSappreheDsions which had been
given wide publicity. One of these mis-
apprehensions which Mr.. Wilson will
clear up is as to the tender of free sugar
and free coal by the Senate conferrees,
and be will tell his colleagues that the ten
der was not made. or at least was made
with the knowledge that it would assist in
defeating the bill
Wilson has not yet stated what line
of action, if any. he would ask the caucus
to take. He SAYS the House conferees
have not yet decided among themselves
that the time has come for the acceptance
of the entire Senate bill. Whether he will
leave the caucus to shape its views on this
grave question or will ask its continued
support in an aggressive policy has not
been indicated by him 10 any OF the men,
bers.
Representatives Warner, Tracey and
other administration men In the House
said tonight that Difference would be
given 10 the wishes of Wilson. They ex-
pressed as certainty that if he assumed
the leadership of any exact line of policy
the House would stand behind him. 1t is
accepted as certain. however, that the
direct issue of the Senate bill or no bill'
will be precipitated at the caucus whether
Wilson initiates it or not. Several men,
.bers stated to-day their intention to pres
ent resolutions on this line in the event
the tariff leaders diG not do it. In some
quarters it was believed some middle
ground would be reached before the caucus
ended.
After the Senate adjourned to-day the
Democratic steering committee met. They
declined 20 divulge the proceedings, but
enc Of those present stated that the feel
ing was very hopeful as to the outlook for
the Senate bill, but that this was no as
surance as to its fate, and the assurance
could not be obtained until more time
could be bad TO canvass the situation. He
thought that by tomorrow 1t would be
known whether the House would accept
the Senate bill in its entirety or not. The
cOnse TVative Senators have claimed from
the beginning that If a House Democratic
caucus could have an opportunity 10 pass
on the Senate bill uninfueuced by the
House coDferees it would accept the Sen
ate bill They still have this faith. The
House coDferees were in a committee
room in the Senate at the end of
the Capitol while the Senate steer
ing committee was in session, and there
was more or less communication between
the two bodies, evidently bearing Oh the
terms of a settlement.
Late tonight it is said that leading
House Democrats have at last decided 70
accept the Senate bill. They say that the
conservative Senators will never yield.
and therefore will do the best they can,
hoping that Some "pop-gun" bills placing
sugar, coal and iron on the free list may
be passed either at this session or next
winter. An effort will be made to pass
them Immediately after the Wilson bill is
disposed of. But members are so anxiou:
to get away that it is not likely they will
remain here long enough to force the SEN
ate to act on them.
White made a speech in the Senate to.
day, in which he spoke of the dire evils
that would befall the Democratic party il
Congress should adjourn. leaving the tariff
matter in suspense. He attacked Hill
and intlmated that 1t would be safe always
for To ha har ~ IF {