Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-13
THEY STRIKE SNAGS.
TARIFF CONFERREEs HAVING
ANYTHING hut PLAIN SAILING.
WOOL AND SUGAR SCHEDULES.
House Representatives UnyieldIng.
In Spite Of Slender Republican Ma-
mand Free Burlaps, &c.

tHcT WOIk Inc minoI fndbl'iS "I''
easily adjusted, but on no important
feature has there been agreement. and
the outlook to-day was that several
changes would have to be made before
an adjustment could be reached. The
House conferrees are standing solidly
by their bill, and the Senate con-
fcrrees are no less tenacious. The
Senate conferrees have laid before
the House members the conditions In the
Senate, where there is not an actual
majority of Republicans, and where
others than Republican votes are neces-
sary to pass the bill or adopt a confe-
renee. They asserted that In 1894 the
Democrats were in better shape than the
Republicans are now, as they had =
actual majority. yet the House was
finally compelled to accept the Senate
bill in order TO pass It.
The members Of the House are stand
ing by their bill, nevertheless, and have
told the senators they cannot accept the
Senate amendments on many important
items.
Burlaps, cotton ties, and other items
which were placed on the free list by the
Senate. met with great hostility from
the House conferrees, and so far nothing
in the way OF a compromise offered BY
the Senate members has been accepted.
The House conferrees are also insisting
upon higher compensatory duties on
manufactures of cotton, on account of
the duty Of % per cent. on raw cotton.
The House members have maintained
that the House bill has been commended
mo no nj hat no
conference should get as close TO it as
possible
The Senate conferrees in addition TO
presenting the present political COM
plexion of the Senate, have pointed out
the difficulty that will occur If several
reports of partial agreements and dis
agreements are made. They have told
the House members that it will lea.
TO endless discussion: that they have no
power to force a vote, and that there
is not majority in the Senate TO
keep the Senate in session, in case of
flibustering tactics.
WOOL.
Informal conferences developed the
fact that the wool schedule had been
under special consideration during the
forenoon session, and that the House
men had shown a decided disposition to
hold on to the House rates. There was
evident apprehension that if this con-
tention was granted there would be diff
Guilty in getting the bill through the Sen
ate. and it is not believed this apprehen-
sion was allayed. There was also hur-
ried conference between the Republican
representatives of the Senate In the con-
ference and the Democratic members OF
the Finance Committee in regard TO the
probable course of the Democrats in
case the articles which they were espe-
cially instrumental in having placed on
the free list should be made dutiable.
These articles include cotton bagging.
gunny bags, burlaps, cotton ties. Paris
green. floor mattings, etc. The House IS
insisting upon their restoration to the
dutiable list, and some OF the Senate
conferrees are inclined to yield because
Of the need for the revenue they would
produce The conference with the Demo-
Gratis was by no means reassuring. The
Republicans were told that II these
changes were made the Democrats would
be disposed TO insist upon a full explana-
ton in committee. and an elaborate de-
bate in the Senate which might indefi-
nitely prolong the session.
SUGAR.
The committee is meeting with it's
greatest difficulty in reaching an under
standing on the wool and sugar sche-
dulles. On sugar Senators Aldrich and
Jones of Nevada. are holding out espe-
cially for the Senate schedule, and are
supported by the entire Senate represen-
tation. The House conferrees are just as
firm in their demand for the House rates.
The indications, when the conference adj
iourned tonight, were that a compromise
would be necessary. which would split
the difference between the two houses
on the differential on refined sugar, and
il was stated upon apparently good au-
thority, that an agreement TO this effect
had been reached.
The House conferrees are standing
stifily for the House schedule on wool
contending that the Senate rates would
be most oppressive upon manufacturers.
The Senate classification OF third-class
woods is especially Objectionable to the
carpet manufacturers and Senators Pen
rose and Gray have been active during
the day in their efforts to secure an
advance to IL cents in the value Of wool
that may be admitted at 4 cents The
Senate schedule makes 10 cents the fig
ure of demarcation in value. fixing a
duty of cents a pound on al wool above
that price. The Pennsylvania senators
say that under this classification 90 per
cent Of the carpet-woos would be made
to pay cents duty. and that the re-
suit would be TO close many Of the
carpet-makers out. There is PROPOSE
ton to compromise the differences by
retaining the Senate classification but
allowing a drawback on all woods which
IT can be proven are used I'm carpet !
making. on which cents may be paid.
The House is also standing for its
rates on first and second-class woods.
which were reduced by the Senate, with
a good prospect of success.
DEMOCRATIC POSITION. sli
There was quite q movement on the
Democratic side Of the Senate to-day
TO insure a firm stand for free burlaps,
cotton baggng, hoor-matting. cotton-ties,
etc. placed on the free list in the
senate. and to hold white pine al 81
DER thousand feet. This was because
of a report which was authenticated.
that the committee had tentatively
agreed 10 restore the 81 rate on white
nine. and to restore the other articles
mentioned to the dutiable list. These
changes were made In the Senate by
maiorities ranging from one to five
votes. and the supporters Of the Senate
action expressed the opinion that they
would be able to hold all the votes for a
motion to reject the conference report
mat were originally cast for the amend
ments. To do this they would have TO
make sure. not only Of Senator Nc
Fnery's vote. but Of some Republican
votes. such as those Of Senator'S Carter |
and Hansbrough.
The problem bids fair to develop an |
situation in the Senate. IL the |
committee on Finance adheres to its |
nresent determination with regard TO
these articles.
The conferrees were again together to-