The record-union., 1897-04-27

WASHINGTON. April 24.-The Dem
ocratic members of the Senate Finance
Committee will not accept the PROPOSE
ton made by their Republican coll
leagues to allow the tariff bill to be re-
ported direct to the Senate without
passing through the hands of the full
committee, and have So notified the
Republican members. Senator White,
q member of the committee was asked
his views regarding the matter. and is
believed to have voiced the views Of
all the Democratic members in his re-
ply. He said:
I would be glad to crafty the per-
sOnal inclinations of any Senator. but.
speaking for myself only. I am unable
to perceive the propriety of such Il
course, and cannot acquiesce in it,
When the bill is reported to the Senate
the Democratic members ought to be
able to Immediately lay before their
colleagues a comparatively full state
ment of the infrmities of the proposed
measure. This cannot be done unless
the subject is properly discussed in
committee, and if examined there with
care much labor will be saved when the
proposition is submitted to the Senate.
If the Democratic members are to be
Of any use on the committee, it must be
because they would be able to give this
information. Besides, a fair presenta-
ton of the views of the minority may
lead to immediate changes in the i'm
provement of the bill. If we consent to
the adoption of the plan outlined by
the Republican members, it will be
said that we have given away our case.
and are representing by half-hearted
opposition. Such a scheme would be
novel, would require explanation and
cannot result favorably to public in
terest. If our Republican brethren have
improved the bill, so as to mack it
passably digestible, they can afford to
submit it to careful and conservative
criticism in the committee room.
"The country, of course, understands
that the Republican members of the
Finance Committee have had the bill
since it passed the House, and the mi
nority have interposed no obstruction
and have not been in a position to in
diligently examine a single schedule,
and the situation will not be altered I'M
til the details of the measure are dis
closed. 1 do not complain of the de-
lay. The subject is of grave impor-
lance, and the gentlemen who have
been preparing amendments have
worked assdiously, and are no doubt
troubled because of the extraordinary
burden imposed upon them by the
House.
Thus far there has been no real de-
bate on the bill. 1 know that quite a
time will be necessarily consumed in
legitimate discussion. 1 have been fire.
quentIy asked whether the retroactive
clause will be eliminated. 1 can only
say that 1 thoroughly agree with the
criticisms made upon this peculiar pro-
vision by Senator Vest, and do not
think that it can be retained, nor do
believe that it was ever intended to
pass a bill containing such a restriction.
It's insertion by the House was designed
to scare importers. l have no reason
to suppose that any Democratic member
of the Finance Committee favOrs the
direct report of the measure to the Sen
ate We have had no formal meeting
yet.
THE Democrats have not yet decided
how much time they may want for the
consideration of the bill in committee,
and will not be able to decide until they
see the amended bill and ascertain the
position thai Senator Jones of Nevada
will assume toward the measure. He
will bear the balance of power in the
committee, and if he throws his in0u-.
ence with the Democrats they can hold
the bill in committee for an indefinite
length of time. He has told the Re-
publican members of the committee
that he still holds views favorable to
protection, and has given them to I'M
derstand that he will support the bill
if it conforms to his ideas. He has
asked in a. general way for increased
protection on the products of the Far
West If these concessions are made
it is not believed that he would assist
in holding the bill in committee for any
length Of time, even if the Democrats
should so desire.
1.-THE Republican members of the
committee express surprise at the re-
fusal of the Democrats to allow the tar
if bill to go direct to the Senate, in
stead of passing through the committee.
They say the Democratic members have
indicated no desire to suggest amend
ments; that it would be unusual if they
should attempt to modify the bill in
committee, and that the proceeding of
putting it through the full committee
will be purely perfunctory. They show
confidence in being able to secure an
early report, even though there is OPP
position to immedite presentation to
this and they count confidently upon
the assistance of Senator Jones of Ne
vada in getting the measure out of
committee"
The Republican members now ex-
pect to be able to send the bill to the
printer Wednesday night, and to pre-
sent it to the full committee Thursday.
Almost Total Wreck