The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-08-15
THE NEW
TARIFF BILL.
The Presidents Friends Urging Him
to Sign it at Once.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE.
Considering What Shall be Done With
the Supplemental Tariff Bills
Passed by the House.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-The tariff bill
is expected to reach the president some
time tomorrow, after which he will have
until a week from next Tuesday If he de
sires in which to consider it before return
Mg it to the senate. 1t can be stated with
almost absolute certainty that the bill
will become a law, either by the presi
dents signature or by his retaining it ten
days without action, the presumption be-
ing largely in favor of the latter alterna
tive. The president has repeatedly told
his friends that he could not sign the bill,
but many of his closest personal and po-
4itical friends have urged him to sign the
bill without delay. Several reasons were
urged, among them the fact that the
opening of fail trade was close at hand
and that delay of ten days might result
in serious loss of customs revenue.
Another reason stated was that congress
was extremely anxious TO adjourn. With
the exception of two months, the mem
bers had been In constant attendance for
over year, and 1t was represented that
now that their W ork was practically &C
pomplished it would be hardly fair to
compel them to remain here in idleness
when no positive good could be accom-
plished thereby. He was advised to for.
get his scruples in the matter, sign the
bill, and return 1t with "a message which
would leave no room for doubt as to his
views thereon.
1t is estimated that during the next ten
days thesreceipts from internal revenue
probably will amount to between $40, ,OOO,-
900 and SIS 000, 900, and the government
will lose the increased whisky tax to this
extent. In view of the depleted condition
of the treasury this argument probably
will have weight with the president. It's
known, though, that up to this time the
president has not changed his determine
tion to permit the bill to become law by
retaining it the necessary ten days with
out action.
The Democratic leaders of the senate
have occupied a considerable portion Of
the day in trying to determine what cours'
to pursue with reference to the supple
mental tariff bills The Democratic steer
ing committee was in session for two
hours yesterday after the senate adjourned
trying to determine upon the most advis
able policy, under the circumstances, anC
previous to the meeting the conservative
senators had a consultation on the sam'
subject
1t is understoo that the conservative
NtNlNOGdbt Jllt ItltIblbt VI bLlb bllAS W Wv
| finance committee, while the steering
committee is apparently somewhat di
| vided on the question. Appearances al
| indicate, however, that a large majority
of the Democratic senators would like tC
| have the bills passed if they could feel as
sured that their passage would not re
| duce the governmental revenues to too
| great an extent. The interest in thes,
| bills, as in the main tariff bill, is in the
| sugar question, and it is to the free suga
bill that they are giving their principa
attention. There is an evident tendenc!
on the part of a majority of Democratic
senators toward amending the sugar bill
so as to make it revenue bill pure anC
| simple. A leading member Of the steer
| ing committee expressed the opinion tina
| a duty of 25 or 30 per cent. on sugar would
| afford all the revenue from that sourc
that would be needed
| 1t would appear that, 80 far, the onl.
definite arrangement is for the discussion
| of the bills at today's session. 1t woult
| Be impossible, in the face of a single oh
| lection, to force the bills to a third read
| ing today and it is probable that larg
| part Of the day will be given up to debat
a motion to refer to committee. Thi
| will serve to develop the real intentions o
6le Republicans toward the bills ant
/ p olat ly 20 develop what differences ther
| may be in the Democratic party.
What little interest there was in tn
| proceedings of congress yesterday cen
tered in the senate, the house not beinl
| in session. The only event Of note was tn
reception of the four special bills passe,
| 10y the house Monday night, putting coal
| iron ore, sugar and barbed wire on tn
| free list These were laid before the sen
/ ate and read once, their second reading
| being objected to. Mr., Hill offered al
amendment to each of these bills, provid
| Ding for the repeal of the income tax.