The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-08
CONFERENCE ON TARIFF
WILL BE HELD WITHOUT THE LEAST
DELAY.
The Sentiment of All Parties Now favors
the Speediest Possible Action on
the Bill.

Washington, d. c.. July THE first
meeting of the cOnfereeS on the tariff
bill will be held tomorrow as soon after
the representatives of the House are
named as it is possible for them to as
semble. This and subsequent meetings
are expected to be held in the room of
the Senate committee on Finance, and
the meetings, after the first formal gath
ering tomorrow, will be as nearly con-
tinuous as the physical endurance of the
members of the conference will permit.
The minority in the House viii mike
no opposition to the Republican pro-
gramne of sending the tariff bill to con-
ference at once. Poth Democrats and
Populists see that nothing can be gained
by the interposition of factious opposl-
ton. No definite arrangement has yet
been made as to the time TO be allowed
for debate when the bill is reported back
from conference, but little difficulty is
anticipated ON this point.
As the conferees are the ranking mem
bers of the committee from each side,
the conferees of the House will be Chair
man Dingley, Maine; Messrs. Payne, of
New York; Dalzell, Pennsylvania; Hop
kins, Illinois; and Grosvenor, Ohio, Re
publicans; and Messrs. Bailey, Texas;
Mcmillan, Tennessee, and Wheeler,
Alabama. Democrats.
As to the length of the conference there
is a difference of opinion among the
House conferees. Chairman Dingley,
speaking of the conference on the Nc
Kinley bill. said it lasted two weeks,
and that there were not as vital points
of difference between the two houses
as now. General Grosvenor, on the 9th
er hand, predicts that the bill will be a
| law week from Saturday if the bill
goes into conference tomorrow The
rumor afioat to-day to the effect that
the House managers had agreed to ac-
cept the bill as it passed the Senate and
thus avoid all possible delays, is pro-
nounced absolutely without foundation.
After the bill has been in conference "a
hours, and the Republicans have had an
opportunity to go o-er their differences
and ascertain the temper of each side
with regard to the many points In con-
troversy, it will be much easier to prog
nosticate the time which will be required
to reach full agreement. Probably
the most difficult problem the cOnferees
will have to solve will be the sugar
schedule. The House conferees will
make strong stand for the House
schedule, which they claim has been re-
ceived with approval by the Republl-
cans and Republican press of the count
ry generally. On the subject of hides
| the House conferees are disposed to
| yield, but not to the full extent of the
duty imposed by the Senate. The Sen
ate fixes the duty at 20 per cent ad val
orem Some of the members of the House
talk of compromise at ten per cent. A
compromise on wool rates also appears
probable.
The Republican representatives Of the
| Senate in the conference express the
| opinion that the conferenc will be very
| brief. 1--WE ought to conclude the con-
| ference in four days." said Senator AL
drich, 'and be prepared to adjourn by
| the 18th Of the month" II should say
| that we should be able to adjust all our
differences in 4 weeks time at the most,
Mr.. Allison said. The Democratic con-
| ferees did not take SO sanguine view.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, predicted
that fully a week would elapse before
the Democratic members Of the confer
| ence would be invited in.
All admit that the unusually large
number of conferees will have tenden-
| cy to extend the time OF the conference
unless there is an exceptional spirit of
harmony manifested between the rep
resentatives Of the two branches of
Congress. The Senators are inclined to
| deprecate the large number, but say it
was made necessary by the demand Of
| the House.
The expectation on the Senate side
! Continued on 9th page.) s.e,s