The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-20
THAT LETTER.
The AII-Absorbing Topic at
the National Capital.
Its Effect Upon the Senate Is Anx-
iousIy Awaited by Both Parties.

BU IHc d1SOCtdtcd fTcoS.
wAsHINoros, July 20.--The news of the
reading of President Cleveland's letter
was not long in travelling from the house
70 the senate. Mr.. Wilson had kept his
secret of the possession OF the letter well
guarded, and it proved decided senss-
tion-
A copy was taken into the Democratic
cloak room and read in turn by groups
Of senators OF four or five, one OF them
generally reading 1t aloud to the others
and in other instances two OF them look
ing over the shoulders and reading with
che senator holding the copy.
After senators became familiar with It's
contents they again gathered in groups
60 discuss the document So intense and
general was the interest that for two or
three hours very little attention was paid
70 routine proceedings on bhe floor Of the
senate. While no senator hesitated to
express his views privately, the Demo
cratic senators were loath TO submit 10
interviewsrfor publication.
They said that the circumstances were
unusual, and that their action as body
being opposite to the position taken by
the president, they could not give pub
licity TO their opinion.
During the afternoon there were sew
eral conferences among the Democratic
leaders, and at first there was disposi-
tion to refuse further conference on the
tariff bill. This was advised by quite
number who felt very much aggrieved
ut the course taken in the house.
Upon the suggestion of senator.
known ss conservative.it IL was agreed that
q peaceful policy would be the best. Ac-
cordingly several well-known Democrats
went about and advised moderation in
the coming speeches. They suggested
that having got thus far. 1t was now best
70 devote every effort to secure the adop-
tion of the bill and to avoid any friction.
A Waiting For Developments
On the house side the question as to
whether the tariff situation had been
simplifed or further complicated by the
presidents letter Was the subject OF much
speculation after the proceedings Of the
day. Mem bers on both sides of the cham
ber agreed that it would have q profound
inpressicn on the situation. but there was
. disposition to wait until its effects on
the senate had been seen before prophecy
ing Che result
1 The letter, together with Mr.. Wilson's
Hp100Hs COnEututSu ~ ocCAhIhbiOR VI poi-
icy which was very satisfsctory to the
revenue reform element In the house. It
was construed to mean that the house
would never yield it's principle OF free
raw materials. aud in this 1t had the
strong support and influence Of the presi-
dent
As to the effect OF the latter on the
sugar conflict there was wide divergence
Of opinion The Louisiana mem bers pro-
fessed to DO well pleased with the presi-
dents letter. end ssid that it clearly recog-
niEed and approved the policy of raising
revenue from sugar. On the other hand,
those m em bers who have most persistently
urged free sugar expressed apprehension
over the Ictcer. They said 1t seemed to
make deadlock certain.
The Rspubiiosn View.
From the Republics standpoint the
general view was expressed by Repre-
sentative Hopkins Of Illinois. Republi-
can member Of the ways and means CON-
mittse:
president Cleyeland's letter Is without
president IN the History of the country"
said he, "ths Queen of England-even the
Georges In their most arbitrary day
would not have dared TO express such
views 70 . legislative branch of govern
mepk II absolutely prscludes the possi-
bility Of ths passage Of tariff bill The
ssneks eanaot Yield aftcs such letter
witAcus humiliation and disgrace. and
the house dsnnot Yield without disre-
aardfag tAs views Of the president. and
u = ADy sgsnt the house should yield to
ths ssna1s hill, the plain meaning of the
lsttsr 10 that ths president would veto the
bill The prssiosnt has therefore made .
tafl6 settlement iiapessible."
EnAsrssd BY Mills.
Senator Mill said, 81 endorse the sem
tlnsats expressed in the presidents letter.
especially what he says concerning lead
and iron ores II had my way. all ores
wsu1d be on ne free list. II the bill can
be defeated let those who advance the ex-
tpsms ideas exprssssd in the senate bill
bear tAs sespensibiiity."
Representative Bperry or Connecticut,
6ns AZ the Democrats who voted against
che Wilson bill after making hard cam
paign for protection for the tobacco in
eerests of his state, Is inclined to think
that congress In involved in deadlock.
He said that he did not see how either the
senate or the house could yield, particu-
larIy a. the senate conferrees did not
have the necessary votes to pass any other
than the senate bill. The presidents
letter." he said, "cuts both ways"
Senator Hawley (Rep., Conn. said, "It
n the greatest mistake ever made by
president Of the United States and ought
90 be resented"
, Senator Hill said; II prefer to say
nothing at this time as to the propriety
or wisdom Of the letter. It comes rather
late ami may complicate the whole situa-
tion and defeat all tariff legislation what
ever II the president, instead Of writing
letter. had exercised his influence to as
sist me In getting votes for free raw ma
terials, when WAS making the fight in
the senate. the present unfortunate COM
plications might have been avoided.
trust there will be more votes now for
free raw materials when l bring forward
the proposition again In the senate, which
expect to do. The skies are threaten
ing"
Viii Fight ~ Ont
ST. PrTERgBURG. July 20 Russian pc
g.. l.s.. 4. a