Evening star., 1894-02-28
7 n E TARIFF BILL
Gossip as to the Strength of the 0pposi.
ton.
The New York Senators and the Two
POpulist Senators May Vote
Against 1t.

Since the democratic Senators went into
caucus on Monday, the gossips of the Capt.
tol have been busy making estimates as
to the possible strength that may be mus
tered eventually against the Wilson tariff
Dill. Calculations have been made with a
view OF ascertaining the utmost votes that
may De cast against the bill IL IL should
come INTO the Senate in the form which
was given IT by the subcommittee of the
nnance committee. 1t Is surprising how
many there are who believe that the bill
VIII not be passed by a majority of more
than four or five votes In case there are no
amendments made In the Senate Indeed.
there are some prophets who contend that
there is grave possibility of the bill being
defeated on direct vote. This is based
on the belief that Senators Hill and Muir
ply, PETER and Allen will vote against
the bill as Ii stands. Mr. Hill has recently
been quoted as saying that he could not
vote for the bill with the income tax
amendment added, and with other proyts-
ions that are now in the bill unchanged.
1t Is generally conceded as votes Mr. Hill
SO votes Mr.. Murphy, and this detection of
two votes would indeed be a serious loss 10
,he trends OF the measure If the two popu-
list Senators named carry out their an
nouncements that they will fight the bin
In Its present shape. The attitude of the
populists is being watched with great in
tcitSh Dy CaIlNdSStlS on both Sides. Mr.
Pener is perfectly frank as to his position.
he said today to Star reporter:
What senator PETER Saws.
Il am perfectly willing to announce nv
intentions as to the tariff bill. All 1 want
is to be treated fairly. I consider that #
would be unfair for the bill to put wool on
the free list and yet to levy a tax upon
manufactured articles. If this should be
done must antagonize the bill 1 want to
see the bounty on sugar retained. and that
article placed on the free list. 1 think that
the bounty law ought to be allowed to 20
to its completion ard the provisions OF the
Mckinley act in this respect to be carried
to their conclusions. We have promised a
bounty to the sugar growers and we should
pay 1t. To discontinue the bounty now
would seriously cripple our beet sugar .n-
dustry in the west and i do not think that
II will be fair to those people. i was one
of the original advocates of a bounty on
sugar, with the view of ultimately making
absolutely free sugar. L think that is a
perfectly proper plan that can be carried
into effect now. i should have TO antag-
onize the bill II IL places sugar on the free
list and removes the bounty without plac-
ing manufactured articles on the free list
1 should fight ii because of its discrimina-
tion against us and because II is unfair.
l do not pretend to be any more fair than
any one else. but 1 want my people to be
treated fairly. That is exactly my posi-
tion.'
Mr. Allen is said to take a somewhat
similar view of the situation, and he has
announced himself as being so fairly in
favor of the bounty that he will fight the
bill il it should not contain such a pro-
vision. The hopes Of the friends of the
measure that the income tax provision
would serve to draw the populist votes in
it's support do not seem 20 be well founded,
as the third party men in the Senate are
prone to take offense at provisions and
schedules from which the least danger was
anticipat ted in this direction,