The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-05-05
THE TARIFF ENIGMA.
Both Republicans and Democrats
Claim the Winning Hand.
THE ATTITUDE OF SENATOR MILLS.

The Texas Statesman, Though Not Present
at the Democratic Caucus, VIII Abide
by the Decision of His Party Colleagues.
Though Not Entirely Satisfied.
WASHINGTON, May notwithstanding
the truce agreed upon between the Demo-
cratic and Republican senators, whereby
1t was arranged that hostilities on the
tariff should cease until next Tuesday,
there has not been day when there has
been bolder talk and stronger protesta-
tions on the respective sides of the cham
ber than yesterday, While the Republican
senators have allowed the Democrats 10
infer that when the amendments are pub
licly announced and the assurance of a
vote sufficient to pass the bill is given
they will yield TO the majority, they assert
privately that they know that the neces-
sary votes cannot be obtained and declare
that the Democrats in the senate are grad
ually approaching more serious trouble
than they have yet encountered, and in
making this statement they assert that
Senators Murphy and Smith are as doubt
full as is Senator Hill in the support of tho
bill as it is to be amended. 1t is asserted
that Senator Smith only cast his vote for
. the German resolution in the Democratic
caucus upon tue AsSNTuHCt Inut lnt fcsO~
luton was not binding
The Democrats express the greatest con-
fidCnca in the success of the bill Senator
Faulkner said that the bill would become
law before the 18th of June, and that
congress would adjourn before the Fourth
of July. Other Democratic senators de-
clared the tariff bill would pass the senate
before June l. More than one asserted
that both Senators Murphy and Smith
had given assurance Of support. 1t is no.
ticeable, however, that some Of the Demo-
cratic senators are canvassing the proba-
biities of securing the Populist vote in
tile senate, and they say that Senators AL
len and Kyle will vote for the bill, so that
they can lose Hill, Murphy and Smith
II necessary, and still have the requisite
forty-thrce votes.
The program of the Democratic man
ayers is to introduce the tariff amend
ments OH Monday, have them taken up in
the full committee on finance on Tuesday,
and reported to the senate so as to CON
tinue the debate after that date In the
meantime they will proceed with their
work Of clearing up the executive calen-
dnr, while in the committee rooms they
will arrange for thereueNal Of he battle,
which they will try to carry by u cavalry
charge II the Republicans do not make
definite terms with them.
Senator Mills, who was not at Thurs
day. caucus, wns asked if his absence had
any Significance, and emphutically said
that it had none. II did not know any
thing about it," he said, "and if had
been there | would probably have talked
against concessions and then taken my
medicine like the rest of them and agreed
to vote for the bill ! realize that we are
III the hands Of n half dozen senators who
can defeat the bill if they do not get what
they want, Since the bill was first made
concessions have been going on, and in
stead of cutting down as desired should
be done they have been going up, up and
we cannot tell where they will end"
He was asked why they did not arrange
the differences in some way and get dowl
to work.
THAT Is what they nre trying to do.
They hope that this matter can be ar
ranged after awhile and the discussion of
the bill proceed. The country is impa-
ticnt of delay They were when The silver
bill was pending A grcat many did not
believe the repeal would do any good, but
they wanted the matter settled know
something about public opinion, and 1
know that the people regard this delay as
unnecessary, and are becoming very much
diAgusted."
Speaking of the work of the finance
committee, Senator Mills made rather
significant statement regarding his con-
nection with IT, He said he had no wish
to serve, and served temporarily because
other members were sick. He declared he
would not serve permanently upon the
committee. Senator Mills has been re-
gnrded us the person who would succeed
the late Senator Vance as member of the
finance committee but his words Indicate
that he will not.