Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-20
HOUSE INSISTS.
The Tariff Bill Sent Back to
The Senate.
Same Conferees Appointed --Presi-
dents Letter on Situation.
Speaks Of Sugar As "a relicate Subject''-
Hill criticizes the President.

WAsHISGToN. July l9.-ln the House,
today, imme diately after the reading of TIE
journal Outhwaite presented resolution
from the committee on rules, providing that
when the conterees on the tariff bill report
their disagreement, it shall be in order 10
move that the House insist upon its dis
agreement with the Senate amendments in
gross, that the motion shall be discussed
two hours, when, without intervening mo-
ton. the vote shall be taken. If the motion
shall be agreed to, the Speaker shall name
the conferees on the part of the House and
the bill shall then. for the time being, pass
from the consideration of the House.
Hopkins of Illinois asked that the gentle.
man from Ohio consent to an amendment
limiting the debate to four hours but he
declined and the previous question was or
dered on the resolution.
Reed of Maine said he would say nothing
on the resolution except that there had been
hope, on the other side especially. that this
would become really deliberative body
but for himself he had doubts about it in
view Of what had occurred in the past.
He yielded to johnson of Ohio, who op-
posed the adoption Of the rule for the rea-
son that by bis Interpretation of it the right
to instruct the conferees to bring in a report
upon partial sgreement was not reserved.
lie warned the House that if the rule was
adopted it would deprive itself of the power
to consider the sugar schedule, except IN
association with all other items in the bill
In view of the scandal that has been Gre
ated over this subject, he thought the
House should have the opportunity TO ex-
press itself upon it separately. 1t had been
reported, Johuson said, that if the items of
the bill were separated one from another,
then it would be defeated.
If that were so, he continued, the subject
went beyond the question of schedules. 1t
brought up the question whether or not
trusts had grown so arrogant on protection
that they are able to dictate legislation,
whether Congress be Republican or Demo-
cratic. For one, he was not willing to con-
cede that this was the case and he wanted
an opportunity to vote to demonstrate that
it was untrue. Applause
johnson asked the Speaker if his con-
struction of the rule was THAT a motion to
instruct the conferees could not be made
The Speaker responded in the affirmative,
aud johnson retorted; "For that reason |
think the rule is bad and should be de-
feated."
Wilson was recognized, and, as he rose,
pathetic figure, compelled to speak from
under mask that hid most of bis face from
sight, he was greeted with applause.
As a part of his remarks Mr. Wilson had
read at the clerks desk long letter written
to him by the President, wherein be defines
his position on the pending bill.
Wilson said he was directed by the con-
ferees on the part of the House to report
hat they had been unable to agree on the
amendments made by the Senate to tn,
tariff bill and to move that the House insist
upon disagreement and ask for further
conference.
Syeaking to the motion, Mr. Wilson said
that it was true, as Mr.. Reed had stated
that the formal meetings of the conferees
had been held on but two days, but ever
since the conferees had been appointed
there had been long and earnest daily con
sultstions of the Democratic members, over
the GA amendments to the bill, with the re-
suit that the House conferees felt it to be
their duty to bring the bill back to the
House for instructions. The situation,
said Wilson, probably justified him in max
ing some explanatory remarks, which had
best be made now rather than wait for
smother season. And in this matter he said
ne desired to be frank.
If the conferees representing the major
ity of the Senate had felt as untrammelled
IN their action as had the House majority
conferees, and as free to do their duty to
themselves andstheir country, a tariff bill
could have been agreed upon in one day
rhat would have been satisfactory to the
D-mocratic party and to the American
people.
"But we were not long in finding out"
said Wilson, greatly to our disappointment,
hat whatever might have been the purpose
of the Senate conferees, they came fettered
and limited in their action. They seemed
70 be apprehensive of a presence in the
Senate thst would prevent the passage of