The Washington times., 1894-04-24
TO FORCE THE TARIFF BILL
Democratic Senators Decide to Support
the Finance Committee.
MAY REVISE THE MEASURE
Dissatisfied Element Of the Dominant Party
to Put in Writing the Changes Which
Will Make the Bill Satisfactory to Them
Income Tax Feature to Be Amended.

The conference OF Democratic Senators on
the tariff was continued in the room OF the
Senate Committee on Appropriations yester-
day, Senators Cockrell, Jones of Arkansas,
German, Vest, and Harris being among those
present. They decided, among other things,
to summon absentee Democratic Senators SO
as TO have them here by Wednesday, when
soon after as possible, to support the Finance
Committee in any effort it may make to crowd
the bill toward its passage.
They agreed to begin this work by trying to
get an extension Of the daily hours for debate,
and authorized Senator Harris to ask on
Wednesday for the continuation of debate
until G o'clock each day, instead Of 5, the
hour Of closing under the present agreement.
There is no room for doubt that the confer
ence also considered the advisability Of
amending the bill SO as to make it acceptable
to Democratic Senators who now find the
bill distasteful to them, but the Senators who
were in the conference were very reticent on
this point.
There was abundant confirmation, however,
of the report heretofore sent out that the
tee are considering the advisability of revis-
ing the bill in various particulars and have
called other Democratic Senators into con-
sutation with them. They have asked the
dissatisfied element Of the party in the Senate
to put in writing the changes which will
make the bill satisfactory to them, and will
use this proposition, when formulated, as
basis for an agreement, which they think can
be effected.
1t is understood that one of the demands
which the malcontents will make will be the
dropping of the income tax but the friends
of the bill say that while some changes may be
made in this feature Of the bill. it will not be
dropped under any circumstances.
Senators Voorhees,, Cockrell, and Jones
agreed when spoken to upon this question
that the income tax would go through if the
bill itself should pass. Senator Voorhees, de-
clared it was the strongest feature OF the bill.
There is a strong probability, however, that
this feature Of the measure will be amended,
and it certainly will be If amendments can be
made which will secure the support of Sena-
tors Hill, Murphy. Smith, and Brice. A lead
ing Democratic Senator, who is a supporter
OF the bill as it now stands, said yesterday
that he would be willing TO lower the limit on
the incomes to be taxed TO 81 200 or &, 900,
and possibly to lower the taxation to or IL
per cent.
When Senator Smith was asked if he would
was not talking compromise at ell. He added
that he was pleased to observe that the friends
OF the bill were beginning to see the pro-
priety of consulting the wishes OF those who
did rot entirely agree with them.
Senator Jones is very hopeful of getting the
bill into such shape as to command for it
not only the party vote, but the solid and
jealous support OF the party in the Senate.
He said yesterday that there was much better
feeling in the party as whole than there
had been few days ago.
When Senator Aldrich was asked what
course the Republican Senators would pursue
when the Democrats shoul5-Uake an effort
to secure an extension of the PRESENT hours,
he said that they would resist 1t. because the
hours are now rs long as the Senate usually
sits. and because it was early in the debate to
begin the physical test which it is expected
on all hands will come later in the proceed
ings.