The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-16
SUGAR STUMBLING BLOCK
WOOL SCHEDULE PRESENTS
FURTHER DIFFICULTIES.
THE DEMOCRATS SEEM TO Be DISTURBED
Unless the Vacancy Caused by the Death Of
Senator Harris Is Filled Some of the
Advantages Gained for the Peo-
pie May be Lost.

Washington, July 15.-The tariff con-
ferees were in more hopeful mood
during the early part of the day than
yesterday and one of the leading repre-
sentatives Of the Senate expressed the
opinion at noon that the Republicans
would be able to conclude their labors to-
morrow and to summon the Democratic
members by Saturday. This view, he
said, was justified by the present appear
ance of things, but he added that there
were still many contingencies that might
arise to prevent so early an agreement
and that it was impossible to say pre-
cisely when the end wouk he reached.
I'VE shall come OUT all right, however,
and think soon," he added, I'VE have
"a tedious job but it is not a hopeless
one, and there is no foundation to the
reports that we are in danger of not
reaching an agreement"
The day was spent in considering min
or details of the bill, which have been
passed over, with an occasional reference
to the differences on the sugar schedule,
which is still the stumbling block. There
was some discussion of a compromie on
this schedule and the general impression
about the Senate was that the changed
aspect in the committee was due to the
fact that there was more yielding dis
position on the part of the representa-
tives of both houses. Senators not in
the conference but in close touch with
the members of it express the opinion
to-day that the contending factions are
very near an adjustment which will
compromise the differences on the sugar
schedule.
On the House side, on the other hand,
among those in close touch with the
conferees it is asserted with the utmost
pos;tiyeness that the House conferees
have no intention of yielding anything to
the Senate on the sugar schedule and
the opinion is freely expressed that the
dead lock will continue indefinitely un-
til the Senate yields The House con-
ferees they say, know that they have
practically the unanimous support of
the House Republicans back of them in
their contention for the House schedule
and moreover they claim that many of
the Senate Republicans agree with them
on this point.
The committee made the discovery to-
day that there would be still further diff
ticulty in arranging the wool schedule
on account of the objections of the car
pet manufacturers. 1t appears that
while the makers of more expensive
grades of carpets gave their assent to
the compromise of four and eight cents
arranged yesterday, the makers of the
cheaper carpets are not pleased and ask
that the rate on the lower grades of
| wool be reduced to three cents. The
wool men are not willing to concede this
demand. The worsted manufacturers
are also making trouble over the Senate
amendment putting a double duty on
wool of the second class which may have
been washed. Heretofore there has been
no additional duty ON the washed article
and it is claimed that the change will
work a material hardship.
The Democratic side of the chamber
is somewhat disturbed over the vacancy
caused by the death of Senator Harris
II fear," said Senator Jones, Of Arkan-
sas to-day in discussing the question,
that the vacancy may, If not filled be-
fore that time, occasion no little en-
barrassment when we reach a vote on
the conference report. II VIII De re-
membered," he continued, "that some
of the articles on which we succeeded in
reducing the rate of duty, as on white
pine lumber and on some which we sue
ceeded in putting on the free list, we
had a majority of only i vote. Some
of these articles as burlaps, cotton ties,
paris green, etc, are of immense i'm
por ance to the farmers and it will be
reg ettable indeed, from our standpoint
if the absence of a Democratic Senator
from Tennessee should cause us to lose
any of them by giving the deciding vote
to the Vice-President." The Senator
said in reply to a question that he had
hon.l nothing indioafiuo of tho infor