Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-24
THE TARIFF BILL.
Republican Senators Anxious to
Get the Measure Completed.
FLAX SCHEDULE BEING CONSIDERED.
Little Progress Made by the Senate on FRI
day-spain Must Come to Terms
Gen. WOOdford Receives
His Instructions.

made with the tariff bill during the
past few days has encouraged many
senators to believe that the bill will
be completed sooner than generally
anticipated There is a fair under
standing between the republican sena.
tors and their democratic opponents
that the bill will not be delayed in any
manner by extended speeches made
for the purpose Of delay. The senate
seems anxious to get away as soon as
possible. The democrats will not come
to any agreement as to fixing times for
certain schedules to be considered or
to limit the time in any manner until
there can be a definite understanding
as to the intention of the republicans
concerning the proposed monetary
commission. Senators who are in
charge of the opposition to the bill
serve notice on some republican sena-
tors that If there should be an at
tempt to pass bill for a monetary
commission, or If the democrats be-
came convinced that it was the inten-
ton to bring forward such a measure,
the debate on the tariff bill might be
prolonged indefinitely. They were
willing to allow the tariff bill to go
through with their protests against the
increased rates, but they do not want
to consider the commission bill at this
session. 1t has been pointed out that
there will be great difficulty in retain
ing a quorum here after the tariff bill
has passed, and that, among other con-
siderations, may result in an informal
understanding that the tariff bill be
the only important question to be con-
sidered at this session of congress.
Already there is talk of consideration
of the tariff bill in conference. The
republican members of the ways and
means committee are noting the
changes in the bill from day to day
and preparing themselves to consider
the bill in conference with the least
possible delay.
FLAX SCHEDULE BEING CONSIDERED.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-The tariff
bill came to a halt in the senate yes
terday, less than one page of the flax
schedule being disposed of, and the de-
bate driftcd into political channels,
during which Senator Vest rebuked
several of his associates for disloyalty.
Senators Bacon, Vest, Jones. of Arkan-
sas, and Tillman took part in the ex-
position of democratic doctrine on the
tariff, which led to several lively ex-
exchanges, during which the cleaning
of political dirty linen was fire.
Quently referred to. Senator Till
mans remarks were made with
his characteristic vehemence and
at one point he frankly stat
ed concerning the tariff that
if there was to be stealing he wanted
his share of it for South Carolina.
Late in the day Senator Morgan pro-
posed sweeping amendment to place
a ten per cent. ad valorem duty on all
articles on the free list, with few
stated exceptions. In supporting the
amendment Senator Morgan called at
tenton to the singular fact that the
income tax feature of the Wilson bill
is not repealed and can be enforced by
a change in the personnel of the SUI
preme court of the United States
Senator Teller introduced bill to
abolish the offices of Indian commits
sioner and assistant Indian commits
sioner and create in their place board
of Indian commissioners. He also in
troduced a bill to provide for allot-
ment of lands to Indians without
changing their tribal relations.
SPAIN MUST COME TO TERMS.
WASHINGTON, June l9.-Spain, it is
said, is to be brought to terms Gen.
Stewart |. Woodford, the new minister
to Spain, after dining with President
Mckinley, spent the evening at the
white house. He received instructions
as to his work in the Spanish capital,
for which he will start in week or
two. General Woodford's task is d.
vided into three parts, His first mis-
sion will be to present demand for
reparation and indemnity for the
death of DR.. Ruiz His second task is
to prepare the Spanish government
for the inevitable, and the inevitable
is the loss of Cuba as colony. The
third phase of his work is the
presentation of a distinct proposal
from the United States as to the
disposition of Cuba. 1t is as to
the first and second chapters that
Gen. Woodford is now comforting
with the president, He will receive
full instructions as to the third, either
before he sails or as soon as he shall
have had opportunity to report upon
the state of mind in which he finds
the Spanish ministry and queen re-
gent. President Mckinley also in
structed Gen. Woodford to impress
upon the public men at Madrid these
three vital points: First, the United
States is not actuated by an unfriend-
ly feeling toward Spain; second, the
United States does not desire to take
advantage of SPANS troubles with her
colony to bring about the annexation
of Cuba to this country; third, but I'M
less Spain will herself make move to-
ward meeting the inevitable, toward
giving Cuba freedom, the United States
will be compelled to interfere, and in
the case of intervention, annexation
might naturally follow.