The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-29

Washington, April 2S.-(Special.)-
Three years ago the Democrats wanted to
pass tariff law. The Republicans had
a majority in the Senate, and when the
bill reached the upper branch of Congress
it was changed until it's best friends
could not recognize it, and President
Cleveland, while not vetoing it, declined
to sign the measure.
Now the Republicans want to pass Il
tariff law, and the Democrats, while not
having majority in the Senate, have the
power by combining with Populists and
silver Republicans to defeat the bill. AS
soon as it reached the Senate the Re.
publican minority of the finance commit
tee carried it away to the Arlington
Hotel, and the Democrats have not seen
it since. The Republican minority an
nounce that they are about through with
the bill, and have made the startling
proposition that they he allowed to send
the bill directly to the Senate without
submitting it to the majority Of the COM
mittee. A. more impudent proposition
was never made. The only reason given
was that it would prevent CHECKERS
from o5jecting,. and thus facilitate the
work of passing the measure. Every pos
sible precaution has been taken against
'kickers." All meetings have been in
secret, and none have been admitted ex-
cept those invited by the Republican
members of the committee. Even the
Democratic members of the committee,
who had IL right to be present. were kept
in profound Ignorance OF the changes
made in the bill 1t would have been
just as reasonable for the Republican
minority to request the Democratic major
ity TO refrain from voting on the bill and
allow it to pass, unanimously. This
would have been the most effectunl way
to silence ''kickers.'' The Democrats de.
clined any such proposition, and the
Republicans now accuse them of delay
ing necessary legislation.
Eve have made no such agreemeat,n
said Senator Harris, of the finance com.
mittee, land so far as am concerned we
never will
Senator Jones, Of Arkansas, said Tho
bill will have to take the usual course.
AS yet, it has never been considered in
committee"
Senator White said: II would be glad
to crafty the personal inclinations OF any
Senator. but, speaking for myself only, I
am unable to perceive the propriety of
such course and cannot acquesce in it.
When the bill is reported to the Senate
the Democratic members ought to be able
to Immediately lay before their colleagues
n comparatively full statement of the in
firmities of the proposed measure. This
cannot be done unless the subject is prop
erly discussed in committee and, if exam
ined there with care much labor will be
saved when the proposition is submitted
to the Senate.
"If the Democratic members are of apy
use on the committee, it must be because
they will be able to give information.
Besides, II fair presentation of the views
Of the minority may lead to immediate
,l,t L.
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 representing but half-hearted
opposition. Such n scheme would be
novel, would require explanation, and
cannot result favOrably TO public inter-
ests. If our Republican brethren have
improved the bill, so as to make it passa.
bly, digestible, they can afford TO subm it
it to careful and conservative criticism in
the committee rooms.
The country understands. of course.
that the Republican members of the
finance committee have had the bill since
it passed the House, and that the minor
ity have intcrposed no obstruction and
have not been in position to inteli-
gently examine single schedule and this
situation will not I've altered until the de-
tails of the measure are disclosed.
II do not complain of the delays. The
subject is one of grave...import, and tho
gentlemen who have been preparing
amendments have been working assidu.
ously, and are, no doubt, troubled be-
cause of the extraordinary burden i'm.
posed 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, I know that quite D.
time will necessarily be consumed in le-
ultimate discussion. have been fire..
quently asked whether the retroactive
clause will be eliminated. can only saw
that thoroughly agree with THE criti.
cisms made upon this peculiar provision
by Senator Vest, and do not think That
it can be retained nor do l. believe that it
was ever intended to pess n bill contain
ing such restriction. Its insertion By