The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-27


cratic members Of the finance committee
will not accept the proposition made by
their Republican colleagues 70 allow the
tariff bili 20 be reported direct 10 the sen
ate without passing through the hands
of the fun committee. and have SO notified
the Republican members. Senator White
& member Of the nnaace committee. was
asked his views regarding the matter and
Is believed 10 have voiced the views of all
the Democratic members In his reply. he
said:
II would be glad 10 crafty the personal
inciinations of any senator. bat. speaking
for myself only. ! am unable 10 perceive
the proprsety OF such q course. and cannot
acguiesce In IT. When the bill b reported
TO the senate the Democratic members
ought TO be able 20 Immediately Lay be-
fore their colleagues q comparatively full
statement Of the infirmities OF the pro-
posed measure. This cannot be done IN
hess the subject is properly discussed in
committee. and II examined there with
care much labor will be saved when the
proposition Is submitted 10 the senate. IL
the Democratic members are 10 be OF any
Use on the COMMITTEES. 1t must be because
they would be able TO give this informa-
ton.
Besides. fair presentation OF the views
OF the minority may lead 10 immediate
changes IN improvement Of the bih, II
we consent TO the adoption OF the plan
outlined By the Republican members Il
VIII be said that ve have given away our
case and are presenting but half-nearted
opposition. Such a scheme would oe novel.
would require explanation and cannot
result favorabiy 10 public interest IL
our Republican brethren have improved
the bill SO as 10 make II passably digesd-
ble. they can afford TO submit II 10 careful
/ and conservative criticism in tAe COM
mlttee room.
The country Of course. understands
that the Republican members of the
finance committee have had the bill since
IL passed the house. and the minority
have Enterposed no obstruction and have
not been in position to intelligentiy ex-
anime single schedule and the situation
viii not be altered until the details OF the
measure are disclosed. ! do not COM
plain OF the delay. The subject IS Of grave
Importance, and the gentlemen who have
been preparing amendments have worked
| assiduously and are no doubt troubled be-
cause OF the extraordinary burden i'm
| posed upon them by the house. Thus far.
there has been no real debate on the bill.
I know that quite a time will be necss-
sariiy consumed in legitimate discussion
II have been frequently asked whether
! the retroactive clause will be eliminated.
/ / can only say that ] thoroughly agree
| with the criticisms made upon this pecu-
| liar provision BY Senator Vest. and do not
I think that IL can be retained. nor do I
| believe that IL was ever intended 10 pass
| bill containing such restriction It's
| Insertion by the house was designed 70
scare importers. I have no reason TO sup
| pose that any Democratic member Of the
| finance committee favors the direct report
| OF the measure TO the senate. We have
| had no formal meeting yet"
| The Democrats have not yet decided how
much time they may want for the con-
sideration Of the bin In committee. and
will not be able 10 decide until they see
the amended bill and ascertain the posi-
ton that Senator Jones OF Nevada viii
| assume toward the measure. lie will hold
the balance OF power In the committee.
and II he throws his influence with the
| Democrats they can hold the bill in COM
| rnsttee for an indefinite length OF time. He
| has told the Republican members Of the
| committee that ne still holds views favor
| able TO protection. and has given them
20 understand that he Will support the bill
II II conforms 20 his ideas. He has asked
| in a general way for increased protection
/ on the products OF the far West
/ II these concessions are made, II Is rot
believed that he would assist IN holding
/ the bill I'm committee for any length II
/ tire. even II the Democrats should so de-
sire.
! The Republican members cf the commit
( tee express surprise ar the refusal cf the
/ Democrats 20 allow the tariff bin 20 90
I direct 70 TIE senate instead % passing
! through the committee. They say the
! Democratic members have indicated 70
/ desire 80 suggest amendments: that Il
/ would he unusual 10 they should attempt
90 modify the bin in committee and that
the prccsedinS ~ putting il through the
fun committee would he purely perfume
l tory. They shew confidence IN being able
70 secure an early report even though
/ there Is opposition % immediate pressT-
tafien. and they count confidently upon
| the assistance of Senator jones ot Nevada
/ IN getting the measure out OF committee
| The Republican members now expect "a
| ~ seis - send the bill 10 tire printer
| Wednesday night. ard 90 present IL 10 the
! ytsft p>--r-4ffNs THURSDAY