The record-union., 1897-05-25
Wide Divergence of Opinion on the
Various Schedules.
A Great Deal of Opposition Developed
to the Increased Tax on Beer and
the Duty on Leather, Senators
Platt of New York, Hanna and
Spooner Being Especially Vigorous
in Opposing the Former Schedule.

WASHINGTON, May 24.-The Re
publican caucus to-day emphasized the
fact that there is a wide divergence OF
opinion among the Republican Senator'S
on rates of duties fixed in the various
schedules of the tariff bill. The Sen
atorS were in caucus nearly four hours.
The only official announcement that
was made after the caucus adjourned
was that it was decided to appoint
three Senators in addition to the Re
publican members of the Finance Com
mittee who were to act as a committee
to assist in getting the tariff bill
through the Senate. 1t was generally
stated, however, that an agreement had
been reached that there should be no
set speeches on the bill from the Re
publican side, except that of Senator
Aldrich, which is to be delivered to-
morrow.
A resolution of memorandum offered
by Senator Burrows was agreed to by
those present. 1t sets forth that the
sense of those present, there not being
a full attendance of the caucus, was
that Republican Senators having
amendments to offer should present
them to the Republican members of
the Finance Committee, and if the
amendments are approved by the COM
mittee, they are to be offered in the
Senate. If disapproved, the Senators
presenting them are to have the right
to submit them TO the Republican eau
Gus, which is to be called upon each
separate amendment. The Finance
Committee is to hold sessions each ev-
ening for the purpose of hearing propo-
sitionS from Republican Senators, and
to decide upon the advisability of pre-
senting such amendments in the SEN
ate. The object of this proposition is
to prevent the Republicans from divid-
ing up on the various schedules which
might be presented. The necessity of
this arrangement was developed by the
debate and the various contentious of
Senator's
In the early part of the caucus Sena-
tor Allison was called upon for an ex-
PLANTATION Of the bill and some of the
amendments. During the remarks
Senator Cullom called for a statement
on the sugar schedule, over which
there had been SO much controversy.
The explanation presented was largely
technical, but the Senators who heard
him understood that the House sched-
ule would largely exclude the coarse
and low grades from Java, the Philip
pine Islands and other points. The
protection in the Senate bill was 75
per cent, and equalized the high pro-
lection on low grades and high grades.
The effect of the House schedule would
be to shut out the lower and cheaper
grades Of sugar, the system of COM
pound duties presented by the Senate
bill was 10 per cent. with a differential
of X Of a cent on refined sugar Sen
ator Aldrich said that this was not as
advantageous to the sugar refiners as
the House bill. The explanation
seemed to cause general satisfaction.
AT least, no one questioned the Sena-
tor further.
There was some discussion upon the
length of time the bill should be under
discussion in the Senate. Senator Ma
son suggested that as soon as the
opening speech was made a move
should be taken toward having a vote
on the bill in two weeks. 1t was de-
cided to ask that after the debate had
run along for a week the Senate begin
its sessions at il o'clock, and sit until
$50, and have evening sessions from s
TO il.
Debate on various schedules consum-
ed the time Of the caucus. A great
deal of opposition was developed to the
increased tax on beer and the duty on
leather Senators Platt of New York,