The news & observer., 1897-03-12
SENATE SITUATION
New Senators Not to Have
Committee Places Now.
THE GUBHRNATORIAL SENATOR'S
WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.
DEMOCRATS TO DELAY TARIFF
Every Subject in Bill viii be Discussed
importers Will Buy Under Low
Rates, Thus Decreasing Reve-
nue. for New Measure.

Washington, y. c., March 1.-THE
Republican committee on the situation in
the Senate held a meeting this afternoon
and besides the full membership of the
committee there were present the new
Republican Senators, Foraker, Penrose,
Wellington, platt, Mason, SpoOner, Fair
banks and Hanna. The conference with
the new Senators was for the purpose of
advising them of the difficulties in the
way of reorganizing the Senate and
especially in the way of filling commit
tee assignments. At present none of the
new Senators will have committee places
and if there is no reorganization they
will be without committee. The situation
was explained by members of the commit
tee as being one of considerable impor
tance. The Democrats insisted that in
making up the committees all the silver
Republicans and Populists should be in-
cluded in the majority assignments, and
all the minority places conceded to the
Democrats. There was entire agreement
and harmony on the part of all who par
ticipated in the conference to-day, the
new Senators recognizing the difficulty
that exists in the situation. While no
definite conclusion was reached it is prob
able that for the present nothing will be
done and the committee will remain un
filled. Meanwhile the Republican COM
mittee will have q further conference
with the Democratic committee and make
an effort to reach an amicable understand
ing as to filling committee vacancies.
As a result OF the several conferences
which have been held, not only by Re
publicans but by the Democrats, it may
be definitely said that the men who have
been appointed by the Governors, in States
where Legislatures have had an oppor-
tunity TO elect, will not be admitted The
Republican managers say that it would
be a fruitless waste of time to bring the
cases before the Senate as even after
n debate, or which no ONE could predict
the ending it is not al all likely that a
favorable vote could be expected. The
men to come to Washington with ap-
pointments from the Governors will be
advised that time cannot be given to
discussion Of their cases and that the
Legislatures which have failed to elect
must be responsible for the vacancies in
the States representation. The tariff
situation is giving the Republicans some
concern. They feel sure that their bill
can pass, but it is now believed that the
debate is going to be extended in the
Senate. 1t is known that the intention
Of the Democrats is to talk ON every subs
ject in the bill. The delay is regarded
by some Democrats as good party policy
After the schedules Of the bill become
known it is believed there viii be n great
increase of importations in order to take
advantage of duties under the low rates
After the new bin goes into effect there
will he a suspension of imports for several
months and a consequent falling off IN
receipts and the bin which was designed
to increase the revenues, they say, as
matter of fact, will show a decrease. This
view is taken by quite q number Of
Democrats who say that it is their policy
to have the bill passed, but not until after
it has been thoroughly discussed With
out an active majority in the Senate the
Republicans will not be able to hurry the
measure along.