The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-31
SENATE'S FIGHT OVER SUGAR.
1T WILL CONSUME MORE TIME
THAN ANY OTHER TARIFF ITEM.

Remarkable Fast Progress Made Up
to Date in the Consideration of the
BiIl-The Present Bill Already as
Far Advanced as the Wilson Bill
Was After Five Weeks of Debate.
More of the Present Bill Disposed
of ON the First Day Than Was in
the Case OF the Wilson Bill in
Three Weeks.
Washington, May SO.-The impression
prevailed about the Senate at the close of
the first weeks discussion of the tariff
bill yesterday that the sugar schedule
would be reached towards the close of the.
present week. The progress so far made,
while it was much less marked yesterday
than on previous days. is generally regard
ed as little less than phenomenal, as mod
ern tariff debates go.
Senator Vest declares that the present
bill is as far advanced now as was the Will
son bill after five weeks of discussion,
while Senator Jones of Arkansas asserts
that as much of the present bill was pass
ed over on the first day of consideration
as was disposed of in the Wilson bill in
three weeks. The republicans gener-
ally concede that good progress has been
made, but they are not inclined to felicitate
themselves too much until they see what
policy is to be pursued when questions of
more general interest are reached than
have yet been preached.
The sugar schedule in all probability
will excite more prolonged and animated
0phafa than other in the hill The
democrats are making very extensive prep
arations for the discussion of this sched-
ule and several set speeches will be made
upon 1t.
The indications are that various other
questions of general interest will be con-
sidered In connection with the sugar duty.
Senator PettigreW is contemplating pre-
senting his amendment against trusts in
this connection, and it is certain that the
Hawaiian question will come to the front
in an amendment providing for the con-
tinuance of the reciprocity treaty with
the Hawaiian Islands. With reference
to the Hawaiian treaty, there is no longer
much room for doubt that provision will
be made to continue the present treaty
in effect. 1t is probable that this will
be done by direct declaration that Moth
ing IN the bill shall be construed as alb
rogating the treaty. The republican mem
berS of the committee are contemplating
this change. II senator PettlgreW IN
ssts upon Offering the trust amendment
to the sugar schedule, he will precpitate
one of the most interesting debates of the
session.
The republicans are not yet decided
whether they will caucus on the sugar
schedule, but there is more or less talk
to this effect
There are two schedules to be considered
after the conclusion of that under present
discussion before the sugar schedule can
be reached. These are the metal and
wool schedules. The metal schedule is not
especially Objectionable to the democrats,
containing, as it does, many of the Wilson
laws, but it is more or less complicated,
and will necessarily consume time. The
wool schedule will develop no little an
tagonism on account of the duty on lum-
Der. There will be a determined effort to
restore white pine lumber to the free list.
The Tillman resolution for a sugar in
vestgation probably will be reported to
the Senate Tuesday. 1t will be passed
without difficulty when taken up, accord
ing to the present outlook, but Senator
Tillman will find opportunity to make an
other speech if there is any apparent ef-
fort at delay.
The Senate will not be in session to-mor-
row, having adjourned over on account
of Decoration day.