The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-27
Want Tariff Bill to go Regular
Through Committee.
SENATOR WHITES REASONS
WILL SAVE TIME IN THE SENATE
DISCUSSION.
SENATOR JoNEs's POSITION
r. 1e Holds the Balance Of Power in the
Finance Committee, and May
Lean to the 2iR if RE
Gets Concessions.

Washington, April 2G.-The Demo
cratic members Of the Finance committee
will not accept the proposition made by
their Republican colleagues to allow the
tariff bill to be reported direct to the
Senate without passing through the
hands of the full committee and have
so notified the Republican members.
Senator White, a member Of the Finance
committee was asked his views regard
ing the matter and voiced the views of
all the Democratic members in his reply.
He said: Il would be glad to crafty the
personal inclinations of any Senator, but
speaking for myself only, | am unable to
perceive the prOpriety of such course
and cannot acquiesce in it. When the
bill is reported to the Senate the Demo
cratic members ought to be able to imme-
diately hay before their colleagues com
paratively full statement of the infrmi'
ties of the proposed measure. This can
not be done unless the subject Is properly
discussed Ill commItCee, AND IL examined
there with care much labor will be saveo
when the proposition is submitted to the
Senate. If the Democratic members are
Of any use on the committee, 1t must be
because they will be able to give TINS
information. Besides, fair presentation
of the views Of the minority may lead
to immediate changes i'll improvement OF
the bill. If we consent to the adoption OF
the plan outlined by the Republican
members it will be said that we have
given away our case and are presenting
but half-hearted opposition. Such
scheme would be novel, would require
fav0rohly
to public interests. If our Republican
brathren have improved the bill SO as to
make it passably digestible, they can af-
ford to submit it to careful and cOnserva-
tive consideration in the committee
room. The country, of course, under
stands that the Republican membere
of the Finance committee have had the
bill since it passed the House, and that
the minority have interposed no obstruc-
ton, and have not been in a position to-
intelhgently examine q single schedule.
This situation will not be altered until
the details of the measure are disclosed.
l do not complain of the delay. The sub
ject is of grave import and the gentlemen
who have been preparing amendments
have worked assiduously and are nc
doubt troubled because Of the extraOrdi-
nary burden imposed upon them by the
House. Thus far there has been no real
debate ON the bill, and while / am most
anxious to see this session closed, / know
that quite a time will be necessarily con
sumed in legitimate discussion. | have
been frequently asked whether the retro
active clause would be eliminated. l can
only say that | thoroughly agree with the
criticisms made upon this peculiar provis
ION by Senator Vest, and do not think
that it can be retained, nor do | believe
that it was ever intended to pass bill
containing such restriction. Its inser.
ton by tie House was designed to scare
imno ers have no reason to suppose
that am Democratic member of the FL
nance comm ittee favors the direct report
of the measure :" the Senate. We have
had no formal meet1l.. sea. ,.,,
The Democrats have H. uesiueu nov
much time they may want for 'N tT',,
GRAFTON of the bill, and also asce1, "in .lI'
position that Senator Jones, of Ner "',, n,
will assume toward the measure. He w.
hold the balance of power in the com.
mittee, and if he throws his influence
with the Democrats they can hold the bill
in committee for an indefinite length Of
time He has told the Republican mem.
bers of the committee that he still holds
vinews favorable to protection, and has
given them to understand that he will
support the bill if it conforms to his ideas
He has asked in il general way for in
creased protection on the products of the
far West
If these concessions are made il is nol
believed that he would assist in holding
the bill in committee for any length OF
time, even If the Democrats should so
desire.