Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-05-01
ACTION ON THE TARIFF BILL.
Democrats Insist That 1t Go to the
Full Committee

Washington. April 27-The democratic
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 ne
full committee, and have so notified the
republican members Senator White,
member of the finance committee says in
reference to this matter:
when the bill is reported to the SEN
ate, the democratic members ought to be
able to Immediately lay before their col
leagues a comparatively full statement
of the infrmites of the proposed meas
ure. This can not be done unless the sub
ject is properly discussed in committee,
and If examined there with much care,
much labor will be saved when the prop
oStiOn is submitted to the senate. If the
democratic members are to be of any use
on the committee, it must be because
they will be able to give this inform lyiOn.
Besides, a fair presentation of the views
of the minority may lead to immediate
changes in Improvement of the bill If
we consent to the adoption of the plan
outlined by the republican members, II
will be said that we have given away cur
case and are presenting but half-hCartcd
opposition Such a scheme would be nov
ell would require explanation, and can
not result favorably to public interests.
If our republican brethren have improved
the bill so as to make it passably dige5tt-
BILE they can afford TO submit it to caEe-
full and conservative criticism in the com
mittCe room.
The country. of course. understands
that the republican members of the
finance committee have the bill since It
passed the house. and the minority have
interposed no objection and have not
been in a position to intclligently exam
inc a single schedule, and the situation
will not be altered until the details OF lie
measure are disclosed.
II have been frequently asked whether
the retroactive clause will be eliminated
| can only say that | thoroughly agree
with the criticisms made upon this pc
culiar provision by Senator Vest, ana 90
not think that it can be retained, nor 40
| believe that it was ever intended to pass
a bill containing such restriction. us
insertion by the house was designed 10
scare importers. / have no reason TO
suppose that any democratic members OF
the finance committee faVorS the ulfHcl
report of the measure to the senate. we
have had no formal meeting yet.
Senator White is believed to have Yoic-
ed the views of the democratic members
generally,
The democrats have not yet decided
how much time they may want for The
and will not be able to decide until trey
see the amendment bill and ascertain me
position that Senator Jones or Nevada
will assume toward the measure. lie VIII
bear the balance of power in the commit
tee. and if he throws his influence with
the democrats they can hold the blll IN
committee for an indefinite length or
time He has told the republican mem
bers of the committee that he stlll holIS
views favorable to protection, and has
given them to understand that he VIII
support the bill if it conforms to ms
ideas He has asked in general way LOT
increased protection on the products OF
the far west. If these concessions are
made. it is not believed that he would Or
sist In holding the bill in committee for
any length of time, even if the democrats
should so desire.