Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-04-25
REAL FIGHT BEGINS
Democrats Rallied for the Strug.
gle on Tariff,
ABSENTEES ASKED TO BE PRESENT

Republicans Fail +" Agree to Any PROPOSE.
ton for ENpediting the Measure and
Want Two Months More Time Than the
Democratic Iimit-A Quorum To Il.
Demanded on Every Vote on the Bill
Editor Hattcn Dead.
WASHINGTON, April o5.-According tc
the agreement entered into between the
Democratic and Republican senators the
reading OF the tariff bill by paragraphs
for amendment will probably begin mt
O'Clock today. The programme does not
include any prepared speech, but if there
should be opportunity for one either DoIph
or Quay Will probably proceed, as both
nave unfinished speeches on hand. 1t is
quite probable that the day will be large.
~ taken up in settling details. one of the
most important of which will be as tc
the limitation OF hours of debate. When
Mills finished his speech yesterday the
senate did not proceed with the bill, as
the Republicans understood the Demo,
Gratis were to consume the day, notice OF
two speeches having been given. As a
way out an executive session was held,
and when the doors were opened a group
of Republicans known as the steering
committee of that party and German were
holding a conference.
Could Not Agree On Anything.
Among the Republicans were Aldrich,
Allison, Washburn and Mitchell. PROPOSE
tons and counter propositions were made,
but no agreement WAS reached and il was
understood when the conference broke up
that no agreement would be attempted
in the senate, but that the consideration of
the bill would be begun at l o'clock to-
day. The Republicans informed German
that their side of the chamber would in
sist on quorum when any vote was taken
on the amendments to the bill. German
wanted the Repu blican to agree that the
consideration of the bill should continue
until O'Clock each evening. but to this
! he did not receive a favorable response. n
counter proposition being made that a
meeting of the senate at IL o'clock would
he more satisfactory. Thus the matter re-
mains to be settled later. The Republicans
had been informed by Harris that only
FOR this week could any arrangement be
made looking TO closing each days session
at q o'clock, intimat:ng that after that
time the hours might be further length
ened.
German Calls on the Absentees.
Ii is probable that the Republicans will
debate the bill each day until there is a
lack of IL quorum apparent when they
will allow Il vote to come up on some
amendment to show the absence of Il quo
rum. German, who is chairman of the
Democratic caucus, has written a letter to
every Democratic senator in or out OF the
Igrs, L. -
for the purpose of pushing the tariff bill
He reminds them that unanimous CON
sent under which the tariff bill has been
considered VIII end today at noon He says
the members of the finance committee
having immediate charge of the bill in
tend to push its consideration as RAPIDLY
rs possible, and to enable them to do so il
will be necessary for every Democratic
senator to be present today AT l o'clock
| and reman within call during the consid-
Grafton of the bill.
a Reservation in Pairing Necessary.
In view of the fact that there are but
| forty-four Democratic senators. he says it
| is absolutely necessary that each senator
| when arranging his pair shall have a res
ervation to vote at any time..it is neces-
| sary to make a quorum. He says tina, he
| is further informed that it is The inteu-
| ton of the senators in charge of the bill
| to continue its consideration until &
o'clock hereafter and in order 10 do SO it
will require the active cooperation OF
| every Democratic senator.
Must Pass the Bill by June L.
This notification is intended to meet Just
| such exigencies as the Republicans expect
| to occur, and which will no doubt be mani
| fest every night about ) o'clock unless the
majority is particularly vigilant. Harris
| says the bill must pass by the 1st of June
| while Republican leaders say the date is
| ut least two months too early.