The times., 1897-05-25

Aldrich also took occasion to say that the
Senate bill, in this feature, did rot vary
from the differential in the existing .aw
more than one-hundredth OF a cent He
told the caucus that the experts of the
Democrats had figured the matter out .or
them, and were unable to show them hat
there was any differentiol for the refin-
ers greater than the existing law save
them. The refiners got the one-eighth OF
cent they now received. and more than
this could not be had under the Senate
schedule Mr. Aldrich will give this part
of the bin a great deal OF his atfentisn in
tie speech he is to make today in calling
the bill up in the Senate.
the subject Of the ahrogation of the
Hawaiian treaty was brought up, and Mr..
Aldrich was asked several questions ON
that part OF the schedule. He said that in
striking ont tie House provision the com
nittee had not intended TO abrogate the
reciprocal treaty with Hawaii. He thought
tnat a proposition would be sUbmittedin the
Senate looking to modification of the ar
Tangement. or, possibly lis gradual abro
cation.
The committee accepted his disclaimer,
but Senator Frye and several Others gave
abroga tiun OF his treaty TO the bitter end.
Senator Nelson of Minnesota, favored
the aboIish1nent OF the treaty He cited
figures showing the imports of sugar into
this country from the island, all OF which
mad escaped taxation, whereby we had
lost eight or nine millions OF dollars an
nUally, suin of money we had, In effect,
given TO the islands without securing any
adequate return. 1t was not good busi-
ness sense and ought to be changed
The duty on hides caused quite con-
troyersy. Senator Lodge started the
trouble along this line by stating that
the East would never agree to putting
hides on the dutiable list It was blow
at the industries OF the State which he
in part represented, and Mr.. Lodge init
mated that no matter what the caucus
may decide, he would carry the fight into
the Senate and endeayor through the
votes of Democrats, to have hides put
back on the free list.
This started the discussion in the direc-
ton OF the binding force OF a caucus and
any agreement that mi ght be reached by
such caucus. Several thought that Sena-
tors ought to be guided by what the ma
jority of the party thought was best for
the whole party regardless of what the
constituents of any particular Senator
thought. and it was stated pretty plainly
that If Senators were not in a mood to
compromise and give and take there would
be trouble in passing the bill Senators,
Mr. ledge was told, ought not always to
obey the behests OF their constituents, il
in So doing they drove the party on the
rocks. It was quite evident from the
trend the discussion took on this question
that several other conferences Will have to
be had before the troublesome question Of
hides is disposed of.
Mr.. Lodge asserted that there had been
q great deal or misinformation on this sub
1ect anyhow, and the idea that dutiabIe
rides helped the raisers OF animals was
absurd
The wool schedule was the subject OF O
shorter discussion than was expected.
Messrs Warren and Clark, representing the
Western States, said that while they did
not like the schedule in it's entirety they
would be compelled to accept the com
bined Judgment Of the party on this sub
iect. They declared their intention OF
making a fight, however, for all the duty
they could get on the wool, in which their
section was especially Interested
Senator Fairbanks made a short but fiery
speech in favor OF organizing for a sharp
and decisive campaign In the Senate and
forcing the bill through in the shortest pos
sible time He was in favor OF submitting
to the will OF the caucus on all Questions
and abiding by the action that body might
take.
While no action was taken on any specific
proposition it was agreed, so far as the
conversational character OF the discussion
would Justify any conclusion that the Re-
publicans did not propose TO have their
hands forced, and would only vote when
they thought they had the situation well in
hand and were ready to take the vote