The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-04-26

When the doors were opened, a
group Of Republicans, known as the
steering committee of the party, al d
senator German, We're holding a con-
ference. Among the Republicans
were Senator Aldrich, Allison, Wash
burn and Mitchell. Propositions and
counter. propositions we're made but
no agreement was reached and it was
understood when the conference broke
up that no agreement would be at
tempted in the senate, but that the
consideration of the bill would be be-
gun at o'clock and the Republicans
informed Mr.. German that their side
of the chamber would insist upon a
quorum when any vote was taken on
the amendments OF the bill.
Senator German wanted the Repub
licaps 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,
a counter proposition being made that
a meeting Of the senate at II would be
satisfactory. Thus the matter re-
mains to be settled later. The Repub-
licans had been informed by Senator
Harris on Monday that for this week
any arrangement would be made look
ing to closing each days session at
o'clock, intimating that after that time
the b urs might be further lengthen-
ed. 1t is probable that the Republi-
cans will debate each day until there
is lack of a quorum, when they will
allow a vote to come upon some
amendment to show the absence of a
quorum.
Senator German who is chairman
of the Democratic caucus, has written
a letter to every Democratic senator In
and out or the city, asking them to
attend the sessions Of the senate for
the purpose of passing the tariff bill.
He reminds them that the bill will be
taken up tomorrow at l o'clock and
their presence is absolutely necessary.
He says the members Of the finance
committee having immediate charge
of the bill intend to push its consider
alton as rapidly as possible and to en-
able them to do so, it will be neces-
sary for every Democratic senator to
and remain within call during the
consideration of the bill. In view of
the fact that there are but A Demo-
cratic senators, he says, it is absolutely
necessary that each senator when
| Allo pan Slloll bo'O
a reservation to vote at
any time it is necessary to
make a quorum. He says that he is
further informed that it is the inten~
ton CT senators in charge Of the bill to
continue its consideration until 6
o'clock hereafter, and in order to do
so, it will require cooperation of every
Democratic senator. This notification
is Intended to meet jIst such eXigen-
cies as the Repu blicans expect to occur,
and which will no dout be manifested
about o'clock unless the majority are
particularly vigilant. Senator Harris
says the bill must pass by June l,
while Republican leaders say the date
is at least two months too early.
AFFAIRS AT BLUEFIELDs.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-Word wa
received at the navy department to
Gay that the United States steamship
San Francisco had sailed today from
Port Limon to Blueiields. The vessel
had run down from Bluefields to Port
LimOn to cable the navy department
touching the state of affairs at Blue>
fields A voluminous report from Mr..
Braid, United States consul, has been
received by Secretary Gresham. The
| CpuSul lellS IOW IlG Cull6 W 20 W
Bluehelds and how he lost his eXequa-
tor, but the department has not yet
gathered sufficient information to
make satisfactory response to the
senate resolution calling for an ac
count of the late troubles and the eX-
listing conditions at Bluefields.
TARIFF AMENDMENT.
WASHINGTON, April Ex-senator
Power today introduced an amend
ment to he tariff bill re-enacting the
provisions of the Mckinley tariff as
they apply to wool, except that the
rates are changed. The amendment
provides duty of Z cents per pound
on wool of the first class, cents on
second class, cents on third class
worth cents, and cents on third
class exceeding 9 cents in value. This
is a reduction of about oDe-third from
the Mckinley bill rates, and Senator
Power says his reason for reducing
he rates is that he hopes to get Dem!
| ocratic support for his amendment.
RECONCILING DEMOCRATS.
The Democratic senators continued
their conference today with q view to
reaching an agreement upon the tar
IF bill, whereby it can be so amended
as to N Ike sure of the solid Democrat
ic vote in the senate. The friends of
the bill feel it is important to have the
measure receive the full party vote
and they also want the hearty sup
port OF the entire party in havipgt t
passed as speedily as possible. They
wish to get it out of the way of the
fall campaign In order 10 know.
what they must do they have made 8
canvass Of the dissatisfied senators
and think they have arrived at the
facts and are now prepared to make
the changes which will accomplish
the purpose they have in mind.
Among the senators consulted were
Messrs. Hill, Murphy Smith, German,
Gibson and Brice They find these
six to be opposed to the income tax
and to the present sugar duty. They
will probably make one or two excep-
tons in granting the demands of the
discontinued senators. They ask, for
instance, that the income tax be
stricken out entirely.
This request will hardly he con-