The herald., 1894-08-15
THE POPCUN TARIFF BILLS
What Will the Senate Do
With Them?
Steerers Have Them Under
Amusement.
Small Hope OF Any of Them Being
Passed.
Tho Free Sugar Bill, II Pressed co an
Issue, Might squsezs Through.
Gossip About the Sit
uation.


By the Associated Press.
WAsHINoToN, Aug. 14.--The Demo
cratic leaders OF the senate have occu-
pied a considerable portion of the day
in trying to determine what course to
pursue with reference to tho erppfs-
mental tariff bills. The Democrats
steering committee was in session two
hours after the senate adjourned, trying
to determine upon the most advisable
policy under the circumstances, and,
previous to the meeting, the conserva-
tive senators had conference on the
game subject.
1t is understood the conservatives adj
vocate the reference of the bills to the
finance committee, while the steering
committee is apparently somewhat
divided ON the question. Appearances
will indicate, however, that large ma
jority OF the Democratic senators would
like to have the bills passed II they
could foel assured their passage would
not reduce the government revenues to
too great an extent.
The interest in these bills, as in the
main tariff bill, ia in the sugar ques-
ton, and it is to the free sugar bill that
they are giving their personal attention.
There is Gn evident tendency on the part
of a majority of the Democratic sem
ators toward amending the sugar SO as
to make it revenue bill, pure and sine
pie, and as it is now the programme OF
the Democratic leaders to amend the
bill, there should be a prospect OF its
becoming q law, reducing the duty.
making it uniform and striking of the
dffsrential on refined sugar. The re.
duction would depend upon the figures
which the treasury department will fur-
nieh as to the amount of revenue II will
be necessary to secure from sugar under
ths new tariff.
Secretary Carlisle was at the capitol
while the conference was in progress
and was asked to aupply his estimate,
which he promises to do. A leading
member of the steering committee ex-
pressed the opinion that duty of 25 or
80 per cent on sugar would afford all the
revenue from that source that would be
needed.
1t would appear that 80 far the only
definite arrangement is for the diecus-
sion Of shs bills at tomorrow's session, il
it be impossible, in the face of q single
objection, TO force the bills to q third
reading tomorrow, and 1t is probable
that large part of the day will. be
given to debate on q motion to refer to
the committee. This will serve to de-
velop the real intentions OF the Repub-
lcans towards the bills. and also to pos
sibly develop what differences there
may be in the Democratic party.
The steering committee has not yet
formally taken up the question of select
ing q successor to Senator Vance on the
h,t bo hau
been informally discussed by the mem
bers of the committee, and it ia believed
the selection will be made this week.
The names Of several senators are men,
toned in this connection, the nance
most frequently heard beingj those Of
Senators Blackburn and White.
| AS the house of representatives ad-
! jourued last night until Wednesday the
tariff bill cannot be sent to the White
House until tomorrow. 1t Was enrolled
and carefully compared today, and to-
morrow will receive the signature Of
Speaker Crisp and Vice President
Stevenson. A great deal of pressure
will be brought to bear on the presi
dent to induce him TO sign the bill, but
the statement made by the Associated
Press yesterday, that 1t ia his intention
| to let the bill become law without his
signature, can be reiterated today.
member Of the cabinet said today If ths
president should conclude to aflix his
signature to the bill. it would be As-
cempanied by statement of his rea-
sons.
The majority OF the Republican steer
ing committee favor postponement OF
consideration OF the supplemental bills.
especially the free sugar bill. If i,
should be forced to an issue the Repub-
licans would divide on it and there
would be possibility of its becomings
law. The Republican steering commit
tes decided against raising the question
whether the house legally had the sem
ate tariff bill in its possession, and ip
favor OF referring the supplemental
bills to the finance committee. 1t is b.
lieved a quorum would disappear before
they could be reported from COMMITTEES.
1t is not thought possible to pass the
free coal, iron ore and barbed wire biIla
in the senate. There is little doubt
that in case direct vote could be bad
the free sugar bill would be psased, Il
it should fail of being referred 70 the
finance committee the Rspubicans
would offer bounty amendment. wfipA
would carry, If Stewards vote could be
had; otherwise IL would be defeated by
| a tie vote. 1t is said the bill would he
debated at such length that it would 60
over until next session.
1t is understood that il the supple
mental tariff bills ehould be reported
| from the finance com mittee they will be
debated and an effort will be made to
load them down with amend ments. Mr.
Hill has given notice already OF an
amendment for the repeal OF the income
tax, and Others ara understood to be in
course Of preparation, one OF which will
provide for free silver coinage and an
other for free lead ore. In the msass
time the Republican senators ara doing
all they can TO promote an carly ac-
journmens, and some OF them freely CON
less this Is ths principal reason ior Ops
posing tho further extension OF lxsl
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