Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-31
STARTLING SPEED
Made by the Senate in considera.
ton Of the Tariff.
GREAT PROGRESS IN FIVE DAYS.

GREAT PROGRESS IN FIVE DAYS.
More Done in That Time on the Present
Measure Than in Five Weeks ON the
Wilson Biii-Trouble Ahead, However,
When Sugar Is Reached-Morgan At
tacks the House and the Speaker in viO-
lation of . Parliamentary Law.
Washington, May S1-The impression
is general about the senate at the close
Of the first weeks discussion of the tariff
bill that the sugar schedule will be
reached toward the close of the present
week. The progress so far made, while
it was much less marked Saturday than
on previous days, is generally regarded
as little less than phenomenal, as mod
ern tariff debates go. Vest declares
that the present bill is as far advanced
now as was the Wilson bill after five
weeks of discussion, while Jones of
Arkansas asserts that as much Of the
present bill was passed over on the first
day Of consideration as was disposed Of
in the Wilson bill in three weeks. The
Republicans generally concede that good
progress has been made, but they are
not inclined to felicitate themselves too
much until they see what policy is to
be pursued when questions of more gen
eral interest are reached than have yet
been preached.
The ''Sugs- in the Gourd."
The sugar schedule in all probability
will excite more prolonged and animated
debate than any other in the bill.
The Democrats are making very ex-
tensive preparation for the discussion
of this schedule, and several set speeches
viii be made upon it. The indications
are that various other questions of gen.
eral interest will be considered in con-
nection with the sugar duty. Pettigrew
Is contemplating presenting his amend
ment against trusts in this connection,
and it is certain that the Hawaiian
question will come to the front IN an
amendment providing for the continu-
ance of the reciprocity treaty with the
Hawaiians islands. With reference to
this treaty. there is no longer much
room for doubt that provision will be
made to continue it in effect. 1t is
probable that this will be done by a
direct declaration that nothing in the
bill shall be construed as abrOgating
the treaty.
If They Once "Get Onto" the Trust
If Pettigrew insists upon offering the
trust amendment to this schedule he will
precipitate one of the longest debates
OF the session. The Republicans are
not yet decided whether they will eau
Gus on the sugar schedule, but there is
more or less talk to this effect. There
are two schedules to be considered after
the conclusion Of that under present dis
cussion before the sugar schedule can
be reached. These are the metal and
wool schedules. The metal schedule is
not especially Objectionable to the DEM
ocrats. containing as it does many of
the Wilson rates, but it is more or less
complicated and will necessarily con-
sumo time. The wool schedule will de-
velopno little antagonism. When it comes
to the duty on lumber there will be a
quite determined effort to restore white
pine lumber to the free list.
Not q Quorum in the House.
The attempt to embarrass Speaker
Reed for the programme Of inaction"
pursued by the majority has become the
settled policy of Simpson and other
members OF the minority, and the ses-
sions of the house this week will wit
ness a continuation Of these tactics. The
conference reports on the sundry civil
and Indian appropriation bills are
ready for consideration and this week
the leaders would like to dispose
OF them. But the difficulty now
is that many Of the members have gone
home, and at present there is no quorum
In the city. This will interfere with the
desire of the leaders to recess until to-
morrow when the house meets today,
and compel an adjournment until Thurs
day. On that day, if a quorum is pres
ent. the house will proceed with these
two conference reports and also the bin
carrying special appropriation for the
government printing office.