The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 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 the
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 sem
ate, the democratic members ought to be
able to Immediately lay before their col
leagues a comparatively full statement
of the infirmities 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
osition 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 lriO1.
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 il
will be said that we have given away cur
case and are presenting but half-hearted
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 ii passably digesti-
BILE, they can afford to submit it to care
/ full and conservative criticism in the com
mittee 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 intelligently exam
inc a single schedule, and the situation
will not be altered until the details of the
measure are disclosed.
Il have been frequently asked whether
the retroactive clause will be eliminated.
1 can only say that 1 thoroughly agree
with the criticisms made upon this pc
culiar provision by Senator Vest, and DO
not think that 1t can be retained, nor do
/ believe that it was ever intended to pass
bill containing such a restriction. Its
insertion by the house was designed TO
scare importers. L have no reason TO
suppose that any democratic members of
the finance committee favors the direct
report of the measure to The senate. We
have had no formal meeting yet
Senator White is believed to have voic-
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 they
see the amendment bill and ascertain the
position that Senator Jones of Nevada
will assume toward the measure. He vii
bear the balance of power in the commit
tee and if he throws his influence will
J the democrats they can hold the bill II
committee for an indefinite length o.
time. He has told the republican mem
bers of the committee that he still nold'
views favorable to protection, and has
given them to understand that he vii
support the bill if it conforms to hi
> ideas He has asked in a general way 70
; increased protection on the products o
the far west. If these concessions ar
made it is not believed that he would as
sist in holding the bill in committee 70
any length of time, even if the democrat
should so desire.