The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-21
CoMMENrs o. rHs LETTER.
Senator Hin Doesn', care to Express Him
self Now-Mr Brices Views.

The Washington correspondent Of the
Baltimore America. writing about Mf.
CleVeland's letter To Mr.. wilson on the
tariff says;
was carefully exam ri ~ FenttoIH- y
tOpy of 81 was taken into the DemOcratlc
ClOak-room ana read, IN turn, Dy groups
81 senators OF -FOUR or ave, Cne or tpeib
generally reading II aloud 10 the otheIs,
and, in other INSTANCES, Two or them look
ing over the shoulders and reading with
tne senator holding the copy. After SEN
atOrs became familiar with ts contents
they again gathered In groups 70 dlscuS7
the document both with reference 10 the
points made by the President ana me
policy OF the President Ia writing IT. 50
IL tense and general was the interest thdl
for TWO or three hours very little at
tention was paid 70 routine proceedings
on the floor OF the Senate.
While no senator hcsitated 20 express
his views privately, the Democratic sena-
Tor publication. They said that the cir
cumstances were unusual, and that their
opinion as body being in opposition 10
the position taken by the President they
could not give punnclty 10 their opinions
whatever they might Dr..
Republican senators were at first IN
cliucl TO express themselves very treely
on the policy of the letter, but when tney
discovered as they soon did, that their
Democratic colleagues were generally Ia
cuned TO remain silent. they changed their
policy as # by common consent, and an
nOunced when spoken 10 upon the sub
fect that they preferred that the Demo
Crats should DO the talking, declaring
that il was a time for Republicans TO
he silent The most common expression
Of opinion among senators was that the
writing OF such a letter was very extra
ordinary" and in many instances, where
the sneaker vas sure on not being quoted
stronger words were used. These express
sions were heard with slight variations
ON both the Democratic and Republican
sides OF the chamber
SOME OPINIONS.
Senator Brice said: Il think II remark
able that the CHAIRMAN Of the House
Committee on Ways and Means should
hove had such Il letter read. II is, Of
course. unparliamentary here for Us 20
discuss A proceeding In the other house,
Lut some wicked Republican may bring
u nm i'm 81 WAY 20 force VS. 20 DO so. SO
"a ~ fas the sugar schedule Is concerned,
II Is the administration schedule, and II
tbe administration does not want 1t. we
NV IKE the House bill on the sugar
6Westion II IS the rnhric OF the bill as
bu,bo{e thot we are concerned with"
c.ra,or Murphy said: II do not care
~ crtttcise the President. We will answer
the President with our votes.
Renubucans were far more willing than
r,an,ocratic senator's TO express opinions
90 the subject Their estimate OF the let
ter with EXCEPTIONS was fairly sum-
married. IN the words or senator HaWley.
~ tronnecticut, who said: 1T Is the great
ea est mistake ever made by President
Of f' the he United States and ought to be
senetor Villas said that the position Of
tbo Preeident was IN line with his policy
ne tariff reform why should he not A."
asked k the Wisconsin senator, EXPRESS his
,.tn,gs9 He was elected on the issue, ana
Noaf,,inistra ton IL committed to it,"
pis Senator % Mills said: II endorse the sen
,,s"nnts expressed IN the Presidents let
ter and especially yor w6at he Ia{s Ssd e2T y
i, cci IN ores would be on the free list.
" I'm ne i bin must be defeated, let those who
adtance the extreme ideas expressed In
-, Snnate bill bear the reSp0nslbllty."