Evening journal., 1897-04-27
DEMOCRATS OBJECT.
They Win Not Accept Republican
Tariff Proposition.
FULL COMMITTEE TO PASS BILL.
Views of Prominent Democrat ON the
Proposition by the Republicans
to submit the Tarif Bill
Direct to Senate.

TO submit the Iarhu Biil
Direct to Senate.
Washington. April 27.-The Demo-
cratic members OF the finance commit
tee will not accept the proposition made
by their Republican colleagues to al
low 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 mein-
bers. Senator White, a member of the
finance committee, was asked his views
regarding the matter and is believed
% have voiced the views Of all the
Democratic members in his reply. He
said:
II would be glad to crafty the per-
sonal inclinations OF any senator. but
speaking for myself only. / am unable
TO perceive the propriety of such a
course and cannot acquiesce in it
When the bill is reported to the senate
the Democratic members ought to be
able to Immediately lay before their
colleagues a comparatively full state
ment of the inhrmities of the proposed
measure. This cannot be done unless
the subject is properly discussed In
committee, and If examined there with
care. much labor viii be saved when the
lIbppSlllpu Is SuDillAltu 10 the senate
'If the Democratic members are OF
any use on the committee. il must be
because they viii be able to give this
information. Besides, a fair presenta-
tion of the views of the minority may
lca6 to immediate changes in improve
ricnt OF the bill. If we consent 80 the
adoption of the plan outlined by the
Republican members, it win be said
that we have given away our case
ana are representing but half hearted
opposition.
"Such a scheme would be novel, would
require explanation and cannot result
favorably to public interests.
Want the Bill Submitted.
"If our Republican brethren have inn
proved the bill so as to make it passa-
bly, digestible, they can afford to submit
Il to careful and conservative criticism
ir the committee room. The country
Of course understands that the Repub-
lican members of the finance commit
tee have had the bill since 1t passed the
house and that the minority have inter-
posed no obstruction and have not lesn
in a position to intelligently examine
single schedule. and this situation
Will not be altered until the details Of
| the measure are disclosed.
'I do not complain of the delay The
subject is of grave import, and the gem
! tlemen who have been preparing amend
ments have worked assiduously and are
no doubt troubled because of the ex-
! traordinary burden imposed upon them
/ by the house. Thus far there has been
no real debate on the bill, and while I
am most anxious to see this session
closed 1 know that quite a time VIII be
necessarily consumed in legitimate dis
cussion.
The Retroactive Clause.
Il have frequently asked whether the
retroactive clause will be eliminated I
can only say that I thoroughly agree
with the criticisms made upon this pc
culiar provision by Senator Vest and do
not think that it can be retained. nor do
believe that it was ever intended TO
pass a bill containing such a restric-
| ti0n. It's insertion by the house was
designed TO scare importers. I have no
reason to suppose that any Democratic
member of the finance committee IA
vors the direct report Of the measure
to the senate. We have had no formal
meeting yet"
The Democrats have not yet decided
how much time they may want for the
consideration of the bill in committee
and will not be able to decide until they
see the amended bill and also ascertain
the position that Senator Jones of Ne
vada viii assume toward the measure.
He will hold the balance of power in
the committee. and if he throws his in
huence with the Democrats they can
hold the bill in committee for an in
definite length of time. He has told the
| Republican members of the COMMITTEES
that he still holds views favorable to
protection and has given them to un-
derstand that he will support the bill II
It conforms to his ideas. He has asked
in a general way for increased protec-
ton on the products of the far west.
If these concessions are made, IL is
not believed that he would assist in
holding the bill in committee for any
length Of time even If the Democrats
should so desire.