The morning news., 1897-04-22
THE MORNING NEWS: THURSDAY, APRIL o. 1897
RETROACTIVE CLAUSE TO GO.
THE REPUBLICANS TAKE WATER
ON THE TARIFF.

The Democrats Agree Not to Press
the Vest Resolution on the Ques-
ton of Secretary Gage's Circular.
The Democratic Members of the
Senate Finance Committee TO In
sist on Having Reasonable COnsid-
Grafton of the Bill in COMMITTEES.
They Expect to Secure the Adopt
ion of Some Amendments Before
the Bill liz Reported.
Washington. April A.-The republican
members Of the finance committee Of the
Senate have reached an agreement either
to strike out the retroactive provision of
the Dingley tariff bill, or so to amend it
as to pave the way for its being stricken
out in conference, and have so notified the
democratic members of the committee.
The democrats have agreed, in view of
this promise, not to press the Vest reso-
luton on the question of Secretary Cages
circular. This was one of the accomplish
ments Of the visit of the republican mem
bers to the Senate yesterday. The opin-
ion among the republican senators is said
to have been against this provision from
the first. but they felt that to take decis-
i've adverse action on it in the face of
democratic opposition would place them
in the light of acting under fire and TAX
ing a position because of the criticisms
of the opposition. They therefore asked
the democrats to keep their hands off un-
I'll the republicans should have an OPP
portunity to make their Intentions known.
The democrats considered this proposition
as reasonable, and agreed to refrain from
pressing consideration of the Vest resolu-
ton until the result of the labors of the
republican members could be known.
While not absolutely decided between the
material modification of the provision and
its complete cancellation the balance of
opinion In the committee is understood
to be quite on the side of destroying 1t
entirely.
There has been some discussion of the
probable programme of the democratic
members of the finance committee with
reference to the tariff bill and it is learn
ed that while their plans are not definitely
matured, they intend to have reasonable
consideration of the bill in the committee
and believe that they will have the sup
port of Senator Jones of Nevada upon any
fair proposition they submit The dem
ocrats do not want an extended considera-
ton in committee, but may desire to offer
some amendments after they have seen
the BILL the adoption Of which they consd-
er they would be more likely to secure in
the committee than in the open Senate
1t is said that in the Senate the democrats
prefer not to delay the bill any longer
than Is necessary, but that every senator
desiring to discuss It shall have opportu-
nifty to do so, and that such record-mak-
ing votes as the democrats thinks neces-
ssary shall be had. This policy the dem
ocrats will pursue to the end.
In this connection it may be stated that
the democrats of the Senate do not ap-
prove of the policy of Mr.. Bailey and his
fellow democrats of the House. Attention
is called TO the fact that il was long said
that the policy of Speaker Reed and the
republicans of the House are pursuing
would be followed in order to direct atten-
ton to the delay of the tariff bill in the
Senate. If the delay should ensue by rea-
son of debate by democratic senator's 1t
| will be pointed out, democratic senators
| say, that this delay is not endorsed by the
majority of the democrats of the House
| The Bailey democrats will be endorsing
the republicans in their criticisms of the
| democratic senators. 1t is not known
whether or not the advice which the dem
ocratie senatorial leaders are freely giving
the democrats of the House, but it is
| known that the House democrats have
been advised that acquiescence in repub-
| lican tactics is not good policy, and DEM
| ocratic senators do not want criticisms
which may be directed at them, to be in
| directly endorsed by the democratic mem
| mers if the House.
The chemical schedule is said to be
about completed. Many changes In 1t in
the direction of reductions have been
| made.