The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-06
Wilson Tariff Bill Must
Undergo More Tinkering.
SOME HINTS PASSED vNHEEDEp.
Debate Is Expected to Begin About
March 19-It VIII lie at Least the
First of April Before the Revised
Bill Comes to Vote.


WASHINGTON, March 6-Senators Jones,
Mcpherson and Vest continued their
work ON the Wilson bill at the Capitol
until 10 o'clock last night. but did not get
the bill in shape to suit them and stopped
ut that hour with the intention of re-
puming the work today They announced
Ut the conclusion of the meeting that the
bill would not be In shape to be reported
Do the full committee today,
The senator's had the clerk Of the house
ways and means committee with them
during the meeting last evening, and it
is understood that they went over many
Items of the bill, making careful COM
parsons of the changes with the house
bill. 1t has been found that some of the
amendments made do not concur with
Che main portions of the bill, and many
corrections have been found necessary at
the last hour. This work is consuming
much of the time of the committee. as
we'll as that which 1t II necessary to give
70 the fixing Of rates on the disputed
Items.
On Saturday 1t was understood that all
Of the controverted articles except sugar
bad been agreed to and settled. but yes-
terday 1t was asserted that there Is an
other hitch, and q recast has been ordered
on several of the articles taken from the
free list and put on the dutisble list. The
demands of the conservative senators, the
committee asserts. are unreasonable, and
& is not disposed to accede to them.
Committee Won't Yield.
The committee does not believe there
has been any combination of the dissatis-
fed senator's to kill the bill In the event
they fail TO get all that they demand.
The Louisiana senator's. the committee
asserts, have endeavored to create this
Impression. They do not believe that the
senator's who are urging coal and iron ore
TO be put on the dutiabis list would vote
against the bill IL those two articles were
TO remain on the free list.
Holding this view, the committee IL not
aisposed TO yield to the demands of those
Senators who have given 30 much trouble.
The ommittee is willing TO yield little
for harmony's sake, but not beyond the
line where the Democratic party can stand
and maintain its tariff reform policy.
Assistant Secretary Hamlin was before
the committee TO discuss the administra-
tion features of the bill. which come
within that part Of the treasury work
over which he presides.
Its Future.
The course of the bill in the senate will
become matter of interesting conjecture.
When it is' finally reported II will be sent
to the calendar, pending the preparation
of reports and of speeches. This will take
at least 10 days, and according TO the
judgment of a Democratic senator, the
bill can hardly be called up for the CON-
mencement of the general debate before
Monday, the l9th instant. As soon as
debate in begun, the majority will insist
that the daily sessions be held from IL to
Q eo'clock.
I'VE are trying to report bill that will
bring to it the support of the entire
party" said Senator Mcpherson, ''but
whether we shall be successful remains to
be seen. We have and are encountering
many obstacles" 4