The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-06-26
WHY II DRAGS.
Explanation OF the Delay OF the
Tariff Bill.
Republicans DO Not Control the south
Yet tho BiIl In Making Great
Speed Its Probable
Passage.

people who crluclSe the TcpnDhcdho ioi
the apparent delay of the tariff bill has
resulted in a disposition on the part of
the leaders of the party TO point out
some of the reasons which prevent more
rapid action, and especially TO show
that IL is the democratic, and not the
republican party, that is responsible
for IL.
II hope the people of the country un-
derstand." said Senator Cullom, as he |
closed weary day of the tariff discus
sion in the senate, that the silence OF
our side of the senate is simply for the
purpose OF economizing time. and get
ting this bill through as soon as posi- |
BILE"
"Then II is not because OF lack OF
matter with which to reply to the argu-
ments and charges being made by the
democrats against the bill?" said your
correspondent, in reply.
Not at all. On the contrary, there is
ample material with which 20 answer
their arguments and every charge made
by them. But the pressure on the part
of the people for action upon this Dill
Is so great that we have determined TO
let nothing so far as we are con-
cerned stand In the way of the earliest
possible action upon 1t. To those who
are thus compelled 10 sit silently and
hear these false charges and attacks
made upon the principles of the bill and
its prospective effects the situation is
an extremely painful one. Every man
on our side who understands this ques-
ton must find the greatest difficulty
In restraining his desire 10 answer the
false charges and statements which
are being made. But the pressure on
the part of the people for early action
is very great, and because or tnat we
are willing TO forego for the present
any attempt to answer these false
and unjust charges which are being put
upon record and spread before the pub
lie by those who are attacking the bill
and for political purposes"
THE pressure from the people Tor
notion on the bill is unusually great, is
Il not. senator?"
eyes. More so than have ever seen
on any occasion OF this kind. Ii is not
surprising, of course, that people who
have suffered as ours have, under the
depressing and blighting influences OF
the present tariff law, should be anx-
ious. very anxious, for its instant re-
peal and the substitution OF the protec-
! tive system, under which the country
was so prosperous for SO many years.
But IL seems they do not realize the en-
barrassment under which the repub-
licans In the senate are laboring. IL
seems to me that II they were TO stop
moment and consider the fact that we
nre in an absolute minority in the SEN
ate. that our hands are tied, and that IL
Is with the greatest difficulty and di-
plomncy that we are able to command
or obtain sufficient number OF votes
for the protective theory. they would
not be inpatient, even under the dis
t-essinQ circumstances with which they
nre surrounded. 1t has seldom, If ever,
happened within the history of the
country that a tariff was enacted when
the two branches OF congress were not
controlled by one party. Here we are
with the republican party in the senate
in tho minority, trying to pass protec'
tive tariff bill. No administration
since Washington, ever saw tarih bill
making such progress or as near com
pletlon at this date in its history as Is
the case at the present moment, ever
md er the most favorable circumstances
and now that this has been accom-
plished with the republican party in
minority in the senate, unable to con
troll that body with its own votes, abso
, lutely unable to hasten action 10y an,
, of the rules by which debate is con
trolled in other parliamentary bodies
and simply dependent upon the whim
: and political wishes of those who ar
opposed TO us for permission 10 proceed
? at nil, IL seems TO Inc that the peopl
! ought to realize that we are doing al
I that Is possible to hasten action, an
( ought not to complain OF the reput
licans, but should place the blame 70
the delay where il belongs-upon tn
democrats"
: .Then IL Is the democratic party an
; It's leaders who are responsible for dc
lay in action upon the tariff bill in tn
v senate?"
n Absolutely. Had not the hands
n the republicans In the senate been tie
q absolutely the bill would have bee
o upon the statute books long before nov
Il The republicans have worked in seaso
and out OF season TO hasten action O
this bill. They have laid aside ever
d other consideration. They are consi'
A. ering various items in the bill, schedu
$. by schedule and paragraph by par
K graph, in conference and caucus al
Is before the finance committee day
Is day outside of the regular hours of Il
Is session and during hours Of the sc
Of sion are depriving themselves of the o
portunity to answer the criticism
- made upon the bill and upon the par
simply for the purpose of gaining tin
- and Fastening Anal action. They a
80 sitting in their seats quietly in respon
20 the demand of the people that not