The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-15
THE BILL.
Republican Senators Agree
That This Should Be Done.

WASHINGTON. May 10. The Republi-
San members OF the senate were in caucus
st Senator Sherman's house last night
from Q o'clock TO 1l:J0
The caucus partook more OF the nature
Of an informal caucus than business
meeting, and while IL was called with
the purpose Of arriving at conclusion as
20 the method 10 be pursued by the Re
publican party in the senate it closed
without eliciting anything in the way OF
n marty declaration. There was no vote
ON any proposition whatever, and the
proceedings consisted in large number
of speeches.
There were about 25 of the 81 Republi-
can senators present, aud every one there
had something 10 say in the course OF the
evening. There was a great divergence of
views. Indeed, the accounts of the meet
ing agree that while there were probably
20 speeches most OF them, OF course,
brief, no two of them were on the same
lines or advised the same manner of pro-
ceeding.
There was no agreement except upon
the one point. that the bill should lie
beaten il possible. On general lines the
greatest divergence Of opinion was on the
ability of the Republicans TO beat the
bill at all, and while there was no formal
division which would permit of count
ing, the caucus appeared TO be about
evenly divided In sentiment upon this
question.
A statement that eastern senators were
favorable TO the continuation OF the
opposition on the lines which are now
being observed, and that western sena-
tors were opposed to any effort to secure
delay for delays sake would be in gem
eral way correct, but there were excep-
tions on both sides.
Senators Aldrich, Chandler. Frye and
others contended that the bill could be
defeated, and said that all that was neces-
sary TO demonstrate the correctness of
this assertion was to give the Democrats
time to widen the breach which they as
serted now exists. Some of them de-
clared that four or five Democratic votes
could be counted on as opposed TO the
bill, while one of those present went so
far as TO say that he was assured of the
opposition OF at least seven Democratic
senators. No names of Democratic sena-
tors were given.
The opposition element contended that
there was no positive assurance of any
Democratic support in opposition TO the
bill, and that the only means of testing
, the truth OF rumors OF Democratic dissat-
isfaction was to let the voting go on.
Tiresome Work.
The senate debate on the tariff dragged
wesrily on, the Republicans naggiug and
harassing the majority and baking prog:
ress at every step.
Only six paragraphs OF the second sec
tiou of the bill, those refHtiUg Ut HtIrmina,
alum and it's products, ammonia and its
products. bone char, borax, camphor
and chalk, were disposed of as result of
seven hours work. About % amend
ments were offered by the Republicans to
the six items upon which the rates were
fixed yesterday and debated with per-
sistency which exasperated the Democrats
beyond measure. The latter kept their
temper fairly we'll, however The only
feature of the days proceedings were Mr..
Platt's observations on the alleged sur
render of the Democrats TO the Sugar
trust, and he was soon engaged in con-
troversy. An attempt by Mr.. Allison to
restore blue vitriol and copper to the duti-
able list was defeated.
District of Columbia Day.
Yesterday was district day in the house
and several unimportant bills were passed.
The only important bill passed was one
giving the Washington, Alexandria aud
Mount Vernon Electric Railway company
an entrance into Washington.
The resignation of Representative
Compton of Maryland was laid before the
house, after which bill was passed au-
thorizing the Braddoek and Homestead
Bridge company 10 build bridge over
the Monongahsla river at Homestead, Pa
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