The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-12
EXTENDED DEBATE ON THE NEW
BILL EXPECTED IN THE
SENATE.
THE ACT MAY BE AMENDED,
NO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
TWO HOUSES AS TO THE
MEASURE.
NO PLACES FOR NEW SENATOR'S
1t Is Probable That for the Present
the Committees VIII BE Left
Untitled.

Il
publican committee on the situation in
the senate had meeting today, and be-
sides the full membership of the COM
mittee, there were present the new Re-
publican senators, Foraker, Penrose,
Wellington, Platt, Mason, Spencer,
Fairbanks and Hanna. The conference
with the new senators was for the pur-
pose of advising them of the difficulties
in the way of reorganizing the senate,
and especially in the way of filing
committee assignments. At present
none Of the new senators have commit
tee places and if there is no reorgan-
iZatiOn they will be without places.
The situation was explained by mem
bers of the committee as being one of
considerable Importance The Demo-
Gratis insisted that in making up the
committees all the silver Republicans
and Populists should be included in the
majority assignments, and all the mi
nority places conceded it to the Demo-
Gratis.
The Republicans, said one Of the
committee to the senators, must give
places to silver Republicans and Popu-
lists who would not actzwith them, but
on the other hand would be likely to
vote with the Democrats in committee
and in the senate on many of the ques-
tons to come before the body Nor
was there the slightest understanding
that silver Republicans and Populists
would support the party, ostensibly in
control, on a single proposition.
There was entire agreement and har-
n1Y tnn nTsf Of rrprf ~
pated in the conference today, the new
senators recognizing the difficulty that
exists in the situation. While no def
mite conclusion was reached, it is prob
able that for the present nothing will
be done, and the committees will re-
main untitled. Meanwhile the Repub-
lican committee will have a further
conference with the Democratic COM
mittee and make an effort to reach an
amicable understanding as to filling
committee vacancies.
AS result of the several conferences
which have been held, not only by Re-
publicans, but by Democrats, it may D4
definitely said that the men who have
been appointed by the governors IN
states where legislatures have had an
opportunity to elect, will not be ad-
mitted The Republican managers
say that it would be a fruitless waste
of time to bring the cases before the
senate, as, even after a debate, Of
which no one could predict the end
ing, it is not at all likely that a favor
able vote could be expected. The men
who come to Washington with appoint
ments from the governors will be adj
Vised that time cannot be given to a
discussion of their cases, and that the
legislatures which have failed to elect
must be responsible for the VaCa ncies
in the states representation.
The tariff is giving the Republi-
cans some concern. They feel sure that
their bill can pass, but it is now be-
leved that the debate it going to be
extended in the senate. 1t is known
that the intention of the Democrats
is to talk on every subject in the bill
The delay is regarded by some Demo-
Gratis as good policy. After the sched-
ules Of the bill become known, it is
believed there Will be a great increase
of imports in order to take advantage
Of duties under the lower rates. After
the new bill goes into effect, there will
be a suspension of imports, and the bill,
which was designed to increase the
revenues, they say as matter of fact,
will show a decrease. This view is
taken by quite number of Democrats,
who say it is their policy to have the
bill pass, but not until after it has been
thoroughly discussed, without an active
majority In the senate, the RepuDl1-
cans will not be able to hurry the meas
ure along. The silver Republicans have
indicated that they will not prevent
tariff bill from passing, but are not
opposed to the policy of delay.
Republican senators now feel that the
new bill will have to be amended ma
terially by the committee on finance,
and the senate. 1t is known that two
schedules have been submitted to mem
bers of the finance committee, one be-
ing the chemical schedule Without
making close examination. it is
understood that senators think the
rates are in some cases higher than
the law Of 1890 AS soon as the new
bill is presented the Republican mem
bers of the finance committee will be-
gin consideration of it, even before
it passes the house, in order to have
it brought before the senate at an early
day.
There was some talk at one time that
the Republican members Of the finance
committee would be consulted by the
ways and means committee, while the
latter was at work on the tariff, in
order that measure might be framed
which would require as little amend
ment by the senate as possible. This
has not been done, nor was it eXpecte
by the senators. AT present the only
definite part of the programme Of the
Republican senators is to bring the
tariff bill before the senate as soon as
possible, and press it with all possible
speed.
NsExTNIEV NHvnnF