The record-union., 1896-01-08
THE TARIFF BILL.
1t VIII Probably be FavQrably Re-
ported to the Senate.

ported to the Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. lowing to
the late session of the Senate, the Re
publican caucus that took a recess un-
til this afternoon was postponed until
tomorrow after the adjournment of the
Senate. 1t is confidently believed that
at that conference the Republicans will
by vote of comfortable majority
direct its members on the Finance
Committee to report the tariff bill to the
Senate as it came from the House,
and without any amendments of any
kind.
Shortly after the caucus convened
this morning Quay moved that the
committee be so instructed, and his
motion led to the debate that followed.
But one Senator indicated any desire
to reconstruct a tariff bill along Repub-
lican lines. That was Baker of Kan
| sas, a new man, and his associates IN
the Senate looked upon his zeal as the
result of unfamiliarity with the con-
ditions that surround the Senate at
this time. There were other speakers
who desired amendments to be made,
and said thy would insist upon them
| if the debate was opened at all, but II
the concensus of opinion was that this
should not be done, they would be sat
isfied and support the majority.
There is a division in the Finance
/ Committee itself as to the wisdom of
amending the House bill, and it was
because of such division that this eau
Gus was held.
| Sherman favored an additional rate
on crockery, if changes were made,
and PIatts State was largely inter
ested in the raising of tobacco, and if
amendments were in order, he was con-
strained to look after that schedule.
| Allison's constituents were largely
interested in agricultural products, and
he, too, would be compelled to insist
on an increase there.
On the other hand, Jones, the Popuiist
member, urged that raw sugar had been
Disseminated against when the house
refused to increase it by 10 per cent, as
it has every other schedule in the bill.
Jones insisted with vigorous protesta-
tions that raw sugar should be given the
additional 10 per cent. in the Senate.
| He was reinforced in this contention by
Perkins Of California and Thurston of
! Nebraska, both of whom represent
States that are engaged in the growing
of beets for sugar and the manufacture
OF sugar from that farm product.
Thurston was not in a position to urge
the committee, but he has done so very
effectually by the aid of the telegraph.
In view of these contentious it is easy
to see that the Republicans of the COM
mittee were very much at sea as to what
should be the policy they ought to pur-
sue Hence their appeal to the full
membership of their own party. Should
the caucus tomorrow, as now seems
| likely, instruct the committee to report
the bill thus reported, and vote down
any amendments, a deadlock between
Jones and the Republican members of
the committee appears to be imminent.
Jones holds the balance of power in the
committee His vote is necessary to re-
port the bill, and the Republicans, with
out him, cannot report the measure.
Jones said tonight that he would in
sist upon the addition of the 10 per cent.
to the sugar schedule. If the caucus so
decides the Republican members will
not grant it.
Jones, it seems, must then either
change his mind or the bill will remain
in the files of the Committee on Finance.
Republicans profess to believe that
Jones will not put himself on record,
but that after urging his proposition he
yield to the will of his former Repub-
lican associates and permit the bill to be
reported