The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-27
TARIFF BILL IN THE SENATE.
NOH Likely That II May Pass That
Body After Full Debate.
DEPENDENT ON SILVER REPUBLICANS
Tho Democrats VIII Make slight OPPOSE
tion. and VIII Insist on sdoh
Amendments ihey Think
They Can Secure.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Especial The
hopes OF the Republicans THAI they will be
able &c pass their tariff bill through the
Senate after reasonable" time has
been allowed for debate. VIII probably be
realized Although they cannot count
upon more than A Senators who will
enter their caucus and abide by its de-
cislons. IL is regarded as practically GER
tain that at least four OF the independent
silverRepubiicans will support tarln
bill. both because they are believers IN
the doctrine Of protection, ana they also
think that, inasmuch as the tarn bill
cannot improve the disadvautageous mon
etary conditions under which large por-
ton OF the country rs now laborlng. that
the demonstration Of this fact VIII aid
the cause OF silver.
ONLY PASSIVE OPPOSITION.
Democrats members having made up
their minds that the Republican tariff bill
will eventually pass have determined TO
offer only passive form Of opposition.
and to insist merely upon such amend
ments as they think they can secure, to- .
gether with a reasonable time for the
consideration Of ae measure.
The term reasonable probably has a
meaning In tho Senate which It probably
does not have In any other place In the
world.
SIX MONTHS REASONABLE.
The Republicans considered six months
a reasonable time TO discuss the present
tariff law. and they would have asked
probably FOR six months more had not
tho Democrats surrendered nearly every
principle Of Democracy in order TO get the
bill through
As il was Senator QUAY Of Pennsylvania
who practically dictated the iron and
steel schedules % the present law. has
an unfinished speech. the reading OF which
would probably have occupied two weeks
OF the Senate time.
WILL THEY RETALTATE2
whether the Democrats Will insist upon
as much time to discuss the Republican
tariff measure is not known. but II IL
very probable that not less than three
months will be consumed. THIS prohabil-
ity IS causing the members OF the Ways
and Means Committee Of the House some
uneasness. inasmuch as they foresee an
influx OF importations prior 20 the pas
sage OF their bill which will render the
measure imperative as tariff bill prob
ably FOR several months or a year.
They are therefore considering the form
OF a resolution which will provide that
after a certain date duties on Imported
goods Of all kinds shall be paid al tho
rates prescribed bv the prospective law.
ANTTCTPATORY LEGISLATION.
Exactly how they are 20 accomplish this
bit OF anticipatory legislation. they do
not see clearly themselves. There are
certain legal questions involved IN the
proposition. which Il will be very DIM
cult 10 avoid. Tho question naturally
arises whether the provisions or existing
law can be set aside by Joint fesoiu-
tion OF Congress. without the repeal or
the law itself. while the repeal or the
present law prior 20 tho passage
of a substitute. would result either IN
absolute free trade or the stoppage by
resolution Of an importatons during tho
months that must elapse before the
new law can be enacted and put into
operation.
A NUMBER OF PROPOSITIONS.
4 number OF propositions. having in
Wow the accomplishment Of the end de-
sired. have been considered by the com
mittee but none OF them have been
adopted
II is clearly apparent however. that
the difficulty which the committee his
encountered is more Of a partisan than
OF an actual character. Should there
be "a rush Of imports. In anticipation or
general Increase OF duties by the new
law the increased customs receipts would
benefit the Government. and become
Immediately available for current eN-
penditures.
DOUBTFUL EFFECT
n IS doubtful II the new bin viii have
tho effect Of increasing receipts because
i: IS likely to decrease Imports. but tho
Rcnublicans are extremely desirous of
eaining for themselves the credit OF
aiding the Treasury. and do not wish
that any assistance should come while
the present law is in operation.
Regarding the prospects OF the Repuh-
Iican tariff hill I'm the Senate 1t NAV
he said that the few Democratic protec-
tionists. who insisted that the present
law should he a protective one. are
only too anxious 70 acquiesce I'm the Re
publican proposition 10 increase duties.