The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-05-31
TlE WEEK IN CONGRESS-
Senators Making Rapid Progress OF
the Tariff Bill,
THE COMING DEBATE ON SUGAR.

Probability That the sugar schedule
VIII BE Reached rhis week, ana The
Discussion WIN Doubtless BE proc
fonged and Animated.
Washington May 31.-The impression
was general about the senate at the
close of the first weeks discussion of
the tariff bill that the sugar schedule
would be reached towards the close
of the present week. The progress so
far made, while It was much less
marked Saturday than on previous
days, is generally regarded as little
less than phenomenal as modern tar
iff debates so. Senator Vest declared
that the present bill is as far advanced
now as was the Wilson bill after five
weeks discussion, while Senator Jones,
Of Arkansas, asserts that as much of
the present bin was passed over on the
first day of the consideration as was
disposed Of in the Wilson bill In three
weeks. The Republicans generally con
cede that good progress has been made,
but they are not inclined to felic,tate
themselves too much until they see
what policy is to be pursued when
questions of more general interest are
reached that have not yet been
broached.
The sugar schedule, I'm all probability,
will excite more prolonged and ami
mated debate than any other in The
bill The Democrats are making very
extensive preparations for the Discus
sion of this schedule, and several SET
speeches viii be made uaon IL. Ine.
indications are that various other
questions of general interest win be
duty. Senator Pettigrew is contem-
plating presenting his amendment
against the trusts i'm this connection,
and it is certain that the Hawaiian
question will come to the front in an
amendment providing for the contin-
uance of the reciprocity treaty with
the Hawaiian islands.
With reference to the Hawaiian
treaty, there is no longer much room
for doubt that provision will be made
to continue the present treaty in ef-
feet. 1t is probable that this will be
done by a direct declaration that noth-
ing in the bill shall be construed as
abrogating the treaty. The Republi-
can members of the committee are con-
templating this change. If Senator
Pettigrew insists upon Offering the
will precipitate one of the most in
teresting debates Of the session. The
Republicans are not yet decided wheth-
er. they will caucus on the sugar schcd-
ule, but there is more or less talk to
this effect.
There are two schedules to be con-
sidered after the conclusion of that un-
der present discussion before the sugar
SO he assaI
the metal and wood schedules. The
metal schedule is not especially OBJ
jectionable to the Democrats. contain
ing as it does many of the Wilson law
rates, but it is more or less complicat-
ed, and will necessarily consume time.
The wood schedule viii develop no
little antagonism on account of the
duty on lumber. There viii be a de-
termined effort to restore white pine
lumber to the free list.
The Tillman resolution for a sugar
investigation probably will be reported
to the senate tomorrow. 1t will be pass
ed without difficulty when taken up,
according to the present outlook, but
Senator Tillman will find opportunity
to make another speech if there is any
apparent effort at delay.
The senate is not in session today,
having adjourned over on account of
Decoration Day.
The attempt to embarrass Speaker
Reed for the program of inaction pur-
sued by the majority has become the
settled policy of Representative Simp-
son and other members of the minority
and the sessions Of the house this week
viii witness a continuation of these
tactics. The conference reports on the
sundry civil and Indian appropriation
bills are ready for consideration, and
this week the leaders would like to dis
pose of them But the difficulty now is
that many of the members have gone
home, and at present there is no
quorum in the city. This interfered
with the desire of the leaders to recess
until tomorrow when the house met to-
day, and compelled an adjournment
until Thursday. On that day, if a
quorum is present, the house will pro-
ceed with these two conference re-
ports, and also the bill carrying a
special appropriation for the govern