Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-31
THEY CAN'T AGREE.
The Democrats All at Sea Over
the Tariff Bill.
Conferees Meet But Harris Admits
that Nothing Has Been Done.
Country Anxious ior Some Definite Action al
s< an ear'y Dale.

WASHINGTON, July 30.-When the tariff
conferees met, today, at o'clock, Senator
Harris called them TO order, and in brief
speech, referred to the condition of Voor
hees, chairman OF the Senate finance com
miJtee, who, he said, was very sick man.
Vest was also absent although he was in
his committee room. Vest is suffering
from erysipelas, and his face, in addition
10 being badly swollen, was covered with
iodine paint for the purpose of relieving
ttfe PAIN. Harris, as temporary chairman
of the conference, speaking for the major
ity, said they had been unable to agree and
there was, necessarily, nothing for the con-
ference to do but adjourn, which was done,
-ubjeet to the call of the chairman.
nothing was said that would inlicate to
the Republicans what the Democrats had
been discussing or how they considered the
situation. When Harris made the state
meDt that the Democrats had been unable
to agree and that they would consider the
question further befores they again called
the conferees together, Allison, speaking
for the Republicans, said he hoped the
Democrats would get together and agree
upon something as soon as possible, as the
country was apxiously awaiting final action
and that such action should be had.
After the conference adjourned, Aldrich
said the bill passed the Senate on July 3,
almos. one month ago; and that since that
time the Republicans had not contributed to
any of the delay. They were, he said,
ready to vote on the conference report and
end the matter as they believed the coun-
try was entitled to action. The Republi-
cans, he added, had not engaged in the
recent debate in the Senate nor had it been
their fault that the Senate conferees had
been unable to come together and submit
some sort of report to the Senate. Every
lay of delay that went by, said Aldrich,
was chargeable against the party in power.
Three of the four Democratic House
conferees, Wilson, Montgomery and Tur-
ner, are willing to remain in session till the
fourth of next March, rather than surren-
der to the Senate. McMillin of Tennessee,
the remaining Democratic House conferee
is willing TO meet the Senate conferees in a
more conciliatory spirit. Notwithstanding
the deadlock in the conference, the belief
was general, today, among the House Dem
ocrats that q bill would yet be agreed upon
The House Democrats insist that the
Senate conferees will yet yield oD some
of the points in dispute. Senator
Villas is quoted as advising House
Democrat, today, to urge bis associates to
stand firm, as the Senate would yet meet
them half way. Other Senators are said to
have spoken in d similar strain to their
House friends.
Springer had numerous conferences this
afternoon, with members of the House,
v Yith resnprt tO the paup1s which will no
held on Thursday. While the proposition
rs fercely combatted by large number of
Democrats, Springer insists that the caucus
will be held. He says all but three of the
original signatures to the call remain.