Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-29
WILSON BILL CHANCES.
Indications That the Measure
Will Pass Are Many.
oNLYTWoDAYs MORE OF DEBATE.


Absolute Defeat of the Bill and VIII Not
Help to Reconnaissance Will Talk
About Hawaii.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-The great tariff
debate will close in the house on next
Thursday at o'clock, when, according to
the amended special order under which
the house is operating, the vote will be
taken on the pending amendments and the
final passage of the bill. The debate dur
ing the coming week will relate entirely
to the internal revenue bill which the
Democratic caucus decided to place upon
the tariff bill as rider.
Today and Tuesday will be devoted to
general debate and Wednesday to debate
under the five minute rule, when the inter
nal revenue features will be open to amend
ment. OF course the principal opposition
will be directed against the income tax,
which is being bitterly opposed by the
eastern Democrats.
The Republicans, however, will not vote
with the Democratic opponents of the in
come tax, but will either refrain from vot-
ing or else, if necessary to make quorum
vote for it in order to incorporate it in the
bill. The attempt to defeat it will there
fore be hopeless.
Bill VIII Probably Pass.
When the bill is reported to the house on
Thursday, three hours will be allowed for
closing the debate-an hour and half on
a side. Mr.. Reed will close for the Repub-
licans and Mr.. Wilson and Speaker Crisp
for the Democrats. The indications are
that when the bill is placed upon its final
passage it will have a fair margin to carry
it, During the past week the movement
to recommit the bill looked formidable, as
at least 80 Democrats counting the anti
income takers and including all those dis
satisfied with any portion of the measure.
were counted upon to take this indirect
method of compelling changes i'll their in
terest With the Republican support this
plan might have succeeded.
But some of the Republican leaders
talked the situation over and came to the
conclusion that it W Guild not be polite to
join a faction in the Democratic ranks in
order TO give the bill setback which
might not result in its ultimate defeat
They have informally decided, therefore,
either to refrain from voting or else to
vote against the motion to recommit, but
they will vote with the opposition against
the passage of the bill or for a motion to
strike out the enacting clause-motions
which will place the opponents of the bill
fairly and squarely on record against the
entire measure
This decision, if it is adhered to, in the
opinion of the Democratic leaders, removes
all doubt as to the final passage of the bill,
as they believe that not more than 30 Dem
ocrats at the outside will carry their oppo-
sition to the extent of voting directly
against the bill. If the Republicans should
poll their whole strength Q24), this would
only raise the vote against the bill to 154,
as with the income tax included it is be-
lieved that the bill will command the en-
tire Populist vote of 0.
Majority For the Wilson Bill.
The full vote for the bill, therefore, could
be Goa majority of 46. 1t is fair to as
sumo that the absentees will be drawn pro-
portionately from each side, so that from
present indications the Democratic leaders
claim a majority for the bill of from 80 up
ward. If by any change of programme the
Republicans should decide to vote in favor
of the motion to recommit, the additional
strength gained from the Democratic side
(about 20) might seriously endanger if not
defeat the measure, but this is not now an
| ticipated.
After the tariff is disposed of on Thurs
| day special order will be brought in for
| the consideration of the Hawaiian matter
Friday and Saturday. The McCreary reso-
luton will form the basis of the debate,
and while some very lively and picturesque
speeches will probably be made it issex-
pected that it will be passed practically by
a strict party vote.
The Senate Programme.
The present indications are that the fed
eral elections bill and The Hawaiian oues-
ton will in a large measure divide the at
| tention of the senate this week. If the
| tariff bill should pass the house according
to programme on Thursday and be sent
| Immediately to the senate, nothing would
be done with it except to refer it to the
| finance committee, where it will rest for
| at least few weeks, so that there is little
or no prospect of this subject interfering
| in any way for the present with the con-
sideration of the bills and resolutions al
ready on the calendar.
| The Hawaiian question has the right of
way for the morning hour-that is, up to
| 2 o'clock of the day-and the elections bill
after that time. The Hawaiian discussion
will be based upon the resolution reported
| by Senator Turple from the committee on
foreign relations, and the various amend
ments and substitutes will Incidentally be
| taken up.
There are four amendments proposed,
| one each by Senators Henderson, Dolph,
| Stewart and Gallinger, and one substitute,
| that offered hy Senator Vest The amend
ments of the first three senators are very
| much In the same line and recognize the
present government of Hawaii without
committing the senate to any proposition
against annexation even for eNpediency s
| sake. Senator DOlph's amendment looks
to the recall of Minister Willis, and Senator
| Vests substitute declares unqualifiedly
| against annexation.
| In case the Judiciary committee makes
its report upon the Peckham nomination
there is likely to be considerable time
devoted to executive business, and there
may be in any event over other nomina-
| tons.