The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-07-20

WASHINGTON, July 19-Ihe news Oh Inc
reading of the presidents letter was not
long in travelling from the house to the
senate. Mr.. Wilson had kept his secret OF
the possession of the letter well guarded
and il proved a decided sensation. IN
formation as to the contents OF the cocu-
ment was eagerly sought on both SIDES OF
the chamber A copy was furnished by
the Associated Press and was IN great de-
,nand. Il was taken to the Democratic
cloak room and Tead in turn 10y groups OF
senators of four or five, one OF them gener-
allv reading il aloud TO the others, and IN
other instances two of them looking over
The shoulders and reading with the senator
holding the COPY. Alters senators oecalno
familiar with its contents they again
gathered in groups 10 discuss the uccu-
ment, both with reference 10 points maze
by the president and the policy OF the
president in writing il. SO intense and
General was the interest that Tor TWO or
three hours very little attention was palu
TO routine proceedings on the floor IN the
Senate.
While no senator besitated to express
his views privately, the Democratic sena-
Tors were 10th to submit 10 interviews Tor
publication. They said the circumstances
were unusual and that owing 10 their ac-
lion as body in opposition to the poI
sitIon taken by the president, they could
not give publicity to their opinions what
ever they might De.
Republican senators were at first in
ciined TO express themselves very freely on
the policy of the letter. but when they dis
covered, as they soon did. that their Dem
ocratic colleagues were generally inclined
to remain silent, they changed their pol
lev as if by common consent and an
uounced, when spoken TO upon the subject,
that they preferred The Democrats should
DO the talking, declaring II was time Tor
Republicans 20 be silent.
The most common expression OF opinion
among senators was that the writing OF
such letter was very extraordinary"
au0 in many instances where the speaker
was sure of not being quoted, stronger
words were used. The expressions were
heard with slight variations on both the
Democratic and Republican sides of the
chamber. The proceedings IN the senate
tomorrow are expected to be of unusual
interest. 1t is hardly probable that many
of the senators will express any personal
resentment but there are expected to be
some very emphatic declarations against
change of front by the senate, especially
from the conservative senators who are re-
garded as responsible for the most pro-
nounced increases made in the bill.
1t was understood before the lat
ter made iJs appearance that sew
sral of these senators, including MesSrs.
German. Smith and Brice, had announced
"A purpose to state to the senate that only
the senate bill could pass, and 10 say III
giving their reasons for this view that the
bill had been the result Of the most care
full elaboration on the part of the MEM
bers OF the senate; that 1t had been found
to be the only bill that could pass when
The Jones amendments had been arranged
In the caucus, and that an attempt 10
change iU materially at this late day
would prove that there had been mCdi-
fication of sentiment Sluce tEaJ time.
Senator Hill has announced an intention
TO take advantage of the presidents posi-
tion and influence TO make another effort
10 secure a recession by the senate from
its amendments for a duty on coal and
iron ore, and he is said to believe that he
will double the vote which his proposition
received when first advanced.
During the afternoon there were several
conferences among the Democratic leaders
and at first there was disposition to re-
fuse further conference on the tariff bill.
This was advised by quite a number who
felt very much aggrieved at the course
taken in the house. The Republican steer
ing committee has held a meeting and the
general opinion was expressed that 1t was
good policy 10 allow the Democrats to do
most Of the talking on the subject.
On the house side the question az TO
whether the tariff situation had been
simpliiied or further complicated by the
presidents letter was the subjects of much
SPECULATION, after the stirring proceedings
of The day.
Members on both sides of the cham Der
agreed that it would have profound i'm
preston on the situation, but there was a
disposition to wait until its effects on the
senate had been seen before proDhesying
the result it might accomplish. The let
ter, together with Mr. Wilson's speech
constituted a declaration of policy which
was very satisfactory to the revenue re-
form element in the house. It was con-
strued TO mean that the house would never
yield its series of free raw materials, and
IN this 1t had the strong support and infiu-
ence of the president. As TO the effect of
the letter on the sugar conflict there was
wide divergence Of opinion. The Louisi-
ana members professed TO be well pleased
with the presidents letter aud
said that it clearly recognized
and approved the policy of raising revenue
flom sugar. On the other hacd those
members who have most persisteutlv
urged free sugar expressed apprehension
over the letter. They sad iC seemed to
make a deadlock certain.
From the Republican standpoint the
general view was expressed bY Repre-
sentative Hopkins of Illinois, q Republi-
can member Of the WAYS and means com
mittee; President C!evelRni's letter j.
without precedent in the history Of the
country" said he. The queen of Bug
land, even the Georges ia their most arbi-
trary day, would nOp have dared to ex-
press such views 20 a legislative branch OF
The government
THE RUSSIAN MISSION