The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-07-03
IRBY'S VOTE ON TARIFF.
The Junior Senator Suddenly Springs
land and COnfcrS with the POpulists.

INTO lfOfn1nencc-HC Hates CIcyc-
land and Confers with the Populists.
Special to News and Courier:
WASHINGTON, June Ex-senator
Irby's vote may decide tho fate of the
tariff bill in the Senate. This possi-
bility seems to have dawncd upon the
Democratic members of the Senatorial
steering committee with powerful
force during the past twonty-four
hours. There was apparent ntconsterna-
tiOn in the Democratic ranks today
and several members of the steering
committee have labored in vain with
Senator lrby to ascertain just how he
proposes to vote on the final passage of
the bill. Senator Jones, of Arkansas,
had long but unsatisfactory talk with
the junior Senator from South Carolina
today, and in despair the Arkansas
Senator gave up the task OF ascertain
ing Senator Irby's intentions. Senator
COckrell was the next missionary sent
out to convert or convince the sphinx
like South Carolinian. In spite of their
induce him to commit himself for or
against the bill.
Senator 1rby fully appreciates the
Importance of his final conclusion, and
he also realizes that he may hold the
balance of power in the roundup. As
now constituted the Senate is composed
of forty-four Democrats, thirty eight
Republicans and three Populists.
Should the Republicans stand solidly
| against the proposed sugar schedule,
and Senators Hill and Irby, Democrats,
and Senators Petfcr, Allen and Kyle
vote the same way, free sugar may be
restored to the bill by avotc of 43 to -.
The anxiety about Senator lrby's
position is not confined to the Demo
Gratis in the Senate, but it is said that
the President is also apDrehcnsive in
| the same direction. Senator Irby in
sists that his votes on the various
amendments must not be taken as an
index of his vote on the entire bill, and
he positively refuses to define his at
titude in that respect. He does not
hesitate to say that in view of the fact
that he has been practically ignored
and rcpudiated by the President and
members of his Administrator the
President has no reason to expect him
to put his shoulder to the wheel and
help to pull the Administration out of
the tariff mire.
In his conferences with the Demo
cratic leaders Senator Irby has not
hcsitated TO express his opinion Of the
President in the most unmistakable
manner. 1t is Senator Irby's intense
dislike for the President and his poll
cies, and his freedom in expressing
himsclf on tho subject, that causes sc
much CONSERVATION among the Demo
cratic leaders in the Senate. 1t is said
that Senator Irby's pronounced and un.
altcrable hostility to the President is
u sufficient incentive to defeat the
pending undemocratic tariff bill. The
measure as amended in the Senate Of
fers no particular attractions to Sena
tor lrby or the majority of the people
he represents, hence he is totally in
different to its fate. So far as the in
come tax is concerned Senator Irby
will vote to retain it in the bill, al
though he has not attempted to justify
or endorse it up to the present time.
Just before the Senate adjourned
this evening there was ilutter of ex
citement in Senatorial circles over 6
caucus OF the three Populist Senators
PETER, Allen and Kyle, with Senator
Irby Of South Carolina. Throughou
the day it had been whispered that {
combination was being formed by Sen
ators Hill and Irby, the Republican
and the Populists, to break the suga
schedule. The Republicans readil,
consented to do their part and the,
watched with interest the negotiation
which were in progress with the Po
pulsts. 1t was after o'clock whel
Senator Irby, who appeared to be con
Quoting the negotiations with the Po
pulistic Senators, invited them TO joii