New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-19
pR0GRESS IN TARIFF MAKING.

A caucus of Republican Senators on the Tariff
hill will presumably save time If each men,
her not quite satisfied with the form OF Dill
rocommpnded nv the committee should take
time to debate the matter in open session and
got q separate vote upon It, the Senate would be
occupled for some months. In caucus the
reason for the adjustment proposed by the COM
mittee can be freely explained. and those who
think different duties necessary to their con-
stituents can make known their wishes. The
decision of the supporters Of the bill will show
definitely what changes can be made and what
cannot For il needs no argument to show that
a proposed duty which the Republicans are not
willing to support cannot pass in open Senate
with practically the whole Democratic vote
against IT, In this respect the situation Is en-
1irelv different from that which existed when
the Democratic Senators held a caucus on the
Wilson bill. The few Democrats who wished
higher duties than those proposed were able to
count upon nearly the whole Republican force
10 support such higher duties as they approved,
and thus could expect a majority in the Senate.
But proposal 10 raise duties above those rec
commended this year cannot be expected to sue
coed unless il is one on which the Republicans
are practically united. This will tend TO pro-
duce more moderate measure than might be
adopted in the House, with its large Repub-
lcan majority
When it has been definitely ascertained what
provisions can he untedly sustained by Repub
leans and what cannot, the alternative for
every member will be this: To take the new
BILL whether its provisions are all that he de-
sires or not. or else to continue the present de-
structivc tariff by refusing support to the pend
ha
In the Senate throws away the opportunity TO
secure through a conference committee prOvi-
sions more to his satisfaction. If the change
which Senator desires is one which has been
favored or is likely TO be favored by the House.
he would have no motive for killing the Dill be-
fore ascertaining how the conference results
Under such circumstances there appears TO be
no reason TO expect very long delay over details
in the Senate IL the Republicans can first de-
termine in caucus what provisions they are will
ing 10 support. Democrats who offer lot or
amendments for the sake OF making speeches
and causing delay will have TO take upon them
selves the responsibility Of postponing the pros
perity which final decision would bring. The
long delay in the Senate in 1894 with all its dis
astrous effects on business, was not caused by
Republican opposition. but by the inability OF
Democrats TO agree among themselves. If the
Republicans can reach an agreement in caucus
deciding what sort Of measure they are pre-
pared to pass in the Senate and send to a confer
ence. they will place all the responsibility for
further delay in that body upon their opponents
Dispatches indicate that much credit is due
TO the members Of the Republican sub-commit
tee. first for keeping their own counsel in a
really surprising manner, and, next. for defer
ring until the last day all definite decisions
about changes proposed. For weeks when the
Democratic tariff was pending the country was
dlshonored and the party made disreputable by
scandalous speculatlons based upon action In
committee, or reversal Of action, on various
provisions In the bill. The members Of the
committee will deserve much from the coun-
try and the party If they render that sort Of
thing impossible this year.