The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-13
ITS FRAMING LIKELY TO PROVE
A PUZZLE FOR THE REPUB-
LICANS.
PRESSURE FOR PROTECTION
SUIT IN SCHEDULES OF ExCES-
SIyE CHARACTER.
TELLER ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON.
Declines to Commit Himself Or His
Followers to Amy Definite Line of
Action.


publican members of the ways and
means committee held another confer
ence this morning. It was thought yes
terday that the Democratic members
OF the committee would be present this
morning, and would be formally noti-
fled Of the proposition to proceed with
the preparation of the new tariff bill,
and to give hearings to the various in
dustries affected. 1t was decided, how
ever, to postpone the meeting of the
full committee until next week Gen.
Wheeler, Of Alabama, one Of the Dem
ocratic members of the committee to-
day, speaking of the reported inten-
tions Of the Republicans to give hear
ings, coupled with the report that the
new bill was to be a moderate pro-
tective measure" said:
II do not doubt it is the present pur-
pose Of the Republican members to
frame a moderate bill,' but if hear
ings are accorded to those interested in
high schedules, I feel safe in predict
ing that an extreme protection meas
ure will be the outcome Those who
appear will ask for the highest possi-
BILE schedules, they will demand them on
the ground that the result of the cleo
ton pledged the party to adequate pro-
lection to American industries. The
consumers will not be heard. The re-
suit will be, that no matter how anx-
Gus, or honest the Republicans may be
in their efforts to frame a moderate
bill,' they will yield first here and
then there to the demand for higher
schedules and once having yielded,
they will no more be able to stem the
tide than they would to stop the on
rush Of Niagara. I predict that the
bill which energies from the ways and
means committee will be in many re-
spects more extreme than the act of
1SaO'
The conference of the Republican
members lasted about two and half
hours. but nothing was definitely decid-
ed upon. They discussed at considera-
Bile length the question of the hear
ings to be given by the full commit
tee. The general opinion was that a
fixed programme for hearings on the
several schedules should be arranged,
beginning on Dec. %. AS these hear
ings will be before the full commit
tee, 1t was decided to wait until Mon
day when the Democrats will be pres
ent before fixing the dates for special
interests to appear 1t is probable that
certain days of the week will be des-
ignated The question of whether GER
tain schedules will be left as they are
or restored without arguments to the
rates of the Mckinley law will be mat
ter for future consideration.
In case it is decided to allow certain
schedules to stand, they will not be in
cluded in the programme Of hearings,
although the committee probably will
give hearings to the representatives Of
such industries if they are insisted
upon. 1t is difficult to fix a hard and
fast rule in such matters. It is the
general view Of the Republican mem
bers that the hearings should be COM
pleted as early as possible. and one OF
the prominent members today expressed
the opinion that they could be COM
pleted in two weeks The Democratic
members have, as yet, held no confer
ence, but they may ask that certain
time be allowed them to summon wit
nesses 'tin rebuttal."
The question of the date for taking
the congressional holiday recess was
also discussed at the conference, but
no date was decided upon. Dates from
Friday, the 18th, to Wednesday, the
23d, were suggested, the recess to last
until the Monday after the New Year.
Senator Teller, of Colorado, was at
the capitol today for the first time this
session. Several silver men were in
conference with him during the day,
the matters under discussion relating
largely to the election of senators in
states where the silver men have con-
troll. but in which no one party has a
majority. IT is believed that Senator
Teller's influence in these states will
have great weight, and different candi-
dates are seeking the senator's infiu-
ence.
Senator Teller would not be inter
viewed on his future course nor upon
his action upon measures which may
or may not come before congress. He
would not, he said, outline a policy
for himself, or those who believe with
him, preferring to meet matters as
they developed. Referring to tariff
legislation in the next senate, Senator
Teller modestly said he was not elected
to the next senate as yet. When ask
ed regarding the late Republican eau
Gus, he said he would not have attend
ed it had he been In the city Asked
what he thought of the international
bimetallic proposition, put forward by
his colleague, Senator Wolcott, Mr..
Teller remarked that he hoped that it
would be successful, but added that
he knew 1T would not be- as the nations
with whom the attempt was to be
made would not consent to bimetal-
lism. The senator said that he took
that position when he was a mem
Der of the committee on resolutions
at ST. Louis. and added that if the
gold men thought there was any hope