Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-24
AFTER TEN WEEKS DELAY
Senate at Last Gives Promise Of Getting
Down to Business.
ACTION ON TARIFF BILL DUE THIS WEEK
Measure VIII lie Taken TIP for Consid-
Grafton on NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Not Fully Decided on
Their Course.

WASHINGTON, May 23.--On Tuesday next,
ten weeks and day after the beginning
of the session, the senate Will take up the
tariff bill, for the passage OF which the ses-
sion was especially called The bill was to
have been called up Monday. but the death
OF Senator Earle of South Carolina will rem
der necessary an adjournment for a days
Senator Aldrich will call up the BILL move
its consideration and make speech in its
favor. The democratic amendment, striking,
out the internal revenue features OF the bill,
will be introduced by Senator Vest. After
this the course OF procedure is somewhat
indefinite. >>N\\
The democrats are not clear as to whether
they will permit the immediate taking up OF
the schedules, or will permit set speeches
bearing on the general policy of the bill.
The prevailing opinion among the democratic
leaders is against the policy of set speeches
at the begir ming of the session, but they will
not attempt to restrain individual senators
who may wish to be heard. There are some
democratic senators who are disposed to
discuss the general features of the bill, and
who incline to the belief that the best time
for such speeches will be while the debate
\ on the bill Is young. Senator Vest does not
expect to make a speech in presenting the
motion to strike out the revenue features.
but the motion may lead to debate, and il
/ exception is taken to 1t the Missouri senator
will be heard from.
| The silver republicans and populists will
iseek opportunity during the pendency of the
lbill to submit some remarks of a political
ilnature. and some of them may be heard
llduring the week. The general sentiment
among straight republicans is adverse to the
encouragement of any general discussion Of
l2the bill, or long speeches on the schedules,
Ebut no party policy has yet been decided
iiupon. caucus has been called for this
purpose to be held Monday afternoon.
I OPPOSITION TO SOME SCHEDULES
\ There will undoubtedly be strong opposi-
lition to some of the schedules on the part
I'of the republican senators and amendments
will be firmly pressed. Some of these
| amendments will be offered to the chemical
schedule, the first of the list, and they will
probably be reached during the present
| week. Other features of the bill which re-
| publican senators will attack are those af-
| fecting sugar and wool duties and taking
| hides from the free list. Senator Pettigrew e
| amen1ment against trusts is certain to prove
| fruitful Of much general debate when
| reached
| Senator Aldrich says he will not speak to
exceed an hour in time on Monday. He will
| give, for the first time, the estimate OF the
| republican members of the finance commit
| tee of the amount OF revenue the bill will
| produce, and will explain the committee &
| plan of action, giving the reasons for some
of the more important amendments made.
| His statement is anticipated with much inter-
| est. In reply to question Mr.. Aldrich
| who will have charge Of the bill on behalf of
| the republican side of the senate said today
| that when the bill once taken up he
| would press consideration to the exclusion OF
| all other business except conference reports
until 1t should be finally disposed Of
The conference report on the sundry civil
| appropriation bill will probably be ccnsid-
cred some time during the week. The con.
ference committee has practically agreed or
a compromise on the forestry reservation pro.
vision which they hope will prove satisfac
tory to all parties, but whether 1t will or moi
can only be determined when the report Il
presented to congress.
HOUSE FORECAST.
The Morgan resolution recognizing the
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents, which
passed the senate on Thursday, will be acted
upon by the house this week. That is tht
decision of the republican leaders. The,
have decided to block the resolution unit
the plans of the president, which are nov
maturing, are more formulated. There vii
doubtless be demand on the part of tn,
minority for action, but they are powerles
| to secure consideration unless the rules com
mittee will report a special order This thu
rules committee will not do. The majorit!
will antagoniZe any attempt to force con
sideration with motion to adjourn unit
Thursday. On Thursday the conference re
port on the Indian or sundry civil bills ma,
be ready. If one or the other is not read.
the house will adjourn until the following
| Monday.