Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-26
THE TARIFF BILL
Will Now Hold the Floor for
at Least Two Weeks.
Only Set Speech for Republicans viii
Be Made by AIdrich, Today.
Differences on the Schedules Will Be Settled
by Republican Caucus.

Washington. May 2A-The Republican
caucus, Monday, emphasized the fact
that there is Il wide divergence of opinion
among the Republican senators on the
rates of duty fixed in the various sched-
ules of the tariff bill. The senator's were
in caucus nearly four hours The only
official announcement that was made
after the caucus adjourned was that it
was decided to appoint three senator's in
addition to the Republican members of
the finance committee, who are TO act us
a committee to assist in getting the tariff
bill through the Senate 1t was generally
stated, however that an agreement had
been reached that there should be no
set speeches on the bin from the Republi
can side except that of Senator Aldrich,
which is to be delivered tomorrow
A resolution or memorandum offered by
Senator Burrows, was agreed to. which
sets forth that the sense of those present,
there not being a fun attendance of the
caucus, was that Republicans having
amendments to offer should present them
to the Republican members of the finance
committee, and if the amendments are
approved by the committee they are to
be offered in the Senate. If disapproved.
the senators presenting them are to have
the right to submit them to the Repub-
lican caucus which is to be called upon
each schedule, If amendments to 1t are
proposed.
The object of this proposition is to pre-
vent the Republicans from dividing upon
various schedules which might be pre-
scented. The necessity of this agreement
was developed by the debate and the va
rious contentious of senator's.
In the early part of the caucus. Senator
Aldrich was called upon for an explana-
ton of the bill and some of The amend
ments During the remarks Senator Cut
lom called for statement on the sugar
schedule, over which there had been so
much controversy.
Tho anltipn presented largely
technical, but the senators who hard him
understood that the House schedule
would largely exclude the coarse and low
grades of sugar from Java, the Philiip-
pine Islands and other points. The pro-
lection in the Senate bill was IS per cent.
and equaliZed the high protection on low
grades and high grades.
The effect of the House schedule would
be to shut out the lower and cheaper
grades of sugar, the system of compound
duties presented by the Senate bill being
for the purpose OF making this equality.
The average rate in the Senate bill was
70 per cent. with a differential of y of
a cent on refined sugar. Senator Aldrich
said that this was not as advantageous
to the sugar refiaers as the House bill
The explanation seemed to cause gen
eral satisfaction, at least no one ques-
toned the senator further.
There was some discussion upon the
length of time the bill shall be under dis
cussion in the Senate. Senator Mason
suggested that as soon as the opening
speeches we're made, a move should be
taken toward having vote on the bill
in two weeks.
II was decided to ask that after the de-
bate had run along for week that the
Senate begin its sessions at II o'clock
and sit until so and have evening SEES
sons from to II T. M.
Debate on the various schedules con-
sumed the time of the caucus a great
deal of opposition was developed to the
increased tax on beer and duty on tea.
Senators Platt of New York, Hanna of
Ohio, and Spooner of Wisconsin. were es-
pecially vigorous in their opposition 10
the increased tax on beer.
1t was pointed out that the Democrats
had already stated their opposition to
this tax and would make an effort 10
lave the Senate committee amendment
eliminated. 'hev thought ii would be
wise TO have am arrangement effected
which would relieve Republican senators
of embarrassment. -
1t WAS determined that an effort should
be made TO secure the revenue both from
beer and tea by stamp tax. which
would accomplish the same result.
Senator Warren of Wyoming, appear
ing as the spokesman for the wool grow
ers of the West. said that the duties pro-
posed by the committee We're in his iudg-
ment. inadequate. and he thought there
should be Increases on the lines of
amendments presented by Western sena-
tors.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, spoke
against the duty on hides. and Western
men said that if such method was pro-
posed they would be compelled to vote
for placing certain articles on the free
list or for reducing the duty upon them.
They did not expect that the Democrats
would vote with them to increase duties.
The Westerncrs announced that to settle
with the Eastern men who voted to re-
duce the duties on their products. they
would vote TO reduce the duty on articles
which their people purchased and did not
produce.
l. was tins state of affairs that brought
forth the proposition of Senator Burrows
to submit the proposed changes to the
Republicans eUhers of the finance COM
yIiittee and then to the caucus. There
was no talk of boiling and no senator
said lie would vote against the bill as Il
whole. 1t was on the matter of schedules
that they disagreed.
The question of abrogating the IIa-
waiian treaty caused a lively debate.
Senator Aldrich stated that the commit
tee intended to bring in an amendment 10
this portion of the bill. Senator Frye OPP
posed the abrogation in the strongest
possible terms while Senator Nelson Of
a vi in