The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-04
Prospects That the Tariff Measure Will Be
Killed by Democrats
FEATURES that MAY PROVE FATAL
The End of the Tariff Debate is Not
in Sight-Republican Leaders In
sist That the Sugar Investigation Be
Completed Before Vote is Taken.
Populists, Republicans and Dissat-
isfied Democrats May Form a Ma
jority Against the Wilson Document.
WASHINGTON. d. G, Juno 8.
0PWO months of tariff debate have
passed in the senate and the end

5TWO months of tariff debate have
passed in the senate and the end
Is not yet within sight. Re-
u publican senators stated ten
days ago that the close of the present
week would fad the sugar schedule
still undisposed of. The course
of events in connection with the
facts elected by the sugar
trust investigation of the special
committee az far as that investigation
has proceeded. and the facts which it
is expected would ba developed in the
iutrher sessions OF that committe m AXE
it possible that this threat may be
verified. Some of the leaders OH the
Republican side insist that the vote
cannot with decency be taken on the
sugar schedule until the investigation
into the allegations of improper influ-
ence being used 10 secure the adoption
of that schedule have been disposed of.
Several of the Populist senators, and
also Mr.. Hill, are on record as favoring
this view. Their forces, added to the
united Republican strength will form
phalanx dangerously near majority,
provided there should be one or two
Democratic absentees on the critical
roll call, and it is hinted there may Re
These same fortes-the solid Republi-
can vote and the Populists, or the most
Of them-it is expected will rally to
the support of Mr. Mandarson's pro.
posed amendment to retain the bounty
on domestic augar instead OF laying an
increased tax on the imported prodnct.
LOUISIANA THE BALANCE OF POWER
The suggestion is made that the vote
on this amendment may be 80 close
that the onus of defeating it will be
thrown on the two Louisiana senators
whose state is the chief beneficiary of
the bounty.
The tactics pursued by the Republi-
cans last week were successful in
drawing out number of Democratic
senators, and, it is understood. the
same policy will be continued this
week with the hope that Democrats
will be compelled to participate In the
debate.
If Mr.. Manderson's amendment for
bounty should ba voted down in
committee of the whole, it is quite
likely that the sugar schedule or the
committee will be adopted pro forma
in committee the Republicans of
course, reserving their rights for yea
and nay vote when the bill comes in
the open senate. Even should the vo to
be taken on motion to put sugar on
the free list, it is understood the Re-
publicans. at present. would not per-
nit the proposition to get the full!
strength of the vote that could be
given If it need be.
DEMoCRAcY's DATES,
June 10, ut which date Democrats
have said the bill would pass, is not
very distant, but there seems little
chance OF Il final vote by that time 1t
can be said with absolute certainty
that the sugar schedule will not be
dropped until the Republicans ha We an
opportunity to discuss the Testimony
taken by the investigating committee.
There is another matter that will
tend to prolong this debate about which
nothing has hitherto been said, but
which will probably ccme to the front
very soon. An amendment to the bill
has been prepared and will BE- intro
duced. probably this week, which pro-
vides for the repeal Of the 10 per cent,
state bank tax. 1t il argued that such
an amendment would be quite US per.
tinent to a tariff bill as the income tax
sections. especially as the repeal of this
tax was one OF the Democratic plat.
form pledges.
The sub committee of the finance
committee has been looking over the
situation lately and will shortly bring
in number OF additional amendments.
Among these is one putting specific
duty on imported lithographic works
satisfactory to both the American lith-
ographer and the importer US agreed
upon by delegation that appeared be-
fore the committee.
Another important matter is the pro.
posed change which the committee has
in view Of going back to the house pro.
vision fixing the duty on impor ted
tobacco and cigars.