The record-union., 1897-04-22
The Retroactive Provision to be
Stricken Out.
Such Agreement Reached by the Re-
publican rlemberS of the Senate
Finance Committee - Democratic
Senators Will Also Have Some
Amendments to Offer.

WASHINGTON, April 21.-The Re-
publican members of the Finance Com
mittee of the Senate have reached an
agreement either to strike out the retro
active provision of the Dingley tariff
bill or so to amend it as to pave the way
for its being stricken out in conference,
and have SO notified the Democratic
members of the committee. The Dem
ocrats have agreed in view of this
promise, not to press the Vest reSolu-
ton on the subject of Secretary Cages
circular This was one of the accom-
plishments of the visits of the Repub
lican members to the Senate yester-
day.
The sentiment among the Republican
members is said to have been against
the provision from the first, but they
felt that to take adverse action on ii in
the face of Democratic opposition would
place them in the light of acting under
fire and taking a position because of the
criticisms of the opposition. They there
fore ask that the Democrats keep their
hands off until the Republicans have
had an opportunity to make their inten-
lions known. The Democrats consid-
cred this proposition as reasonable, and
agreed to refrain from pressing consid-
Grafton of the Vest resolution until the
result of the labors of the Republican
members could be known.
DEMOCRATIC PROGRAMME
WASHINGTON, April 21.-There has
been some discussion of the probable
programme of the Democratic members
of the Finance Committee with refer
l. to, 1ro ,1I
that while their plans are not definitely
matured, they intend to have reason
able consideration of the bill in COM
mittee, and believe they will have the
support of Senator Jones of Nevada
upon any fair proposition they submit.
The Democrats do not want an extend
ed considerat ton in committee, but may
desire to offer some amendments after
they see the bill, the adoption now of
which they consider they would be
more likely to secure in the committee
than in the open Senate.
1t is said in the Senate that the Dem
ocratic plan is not to delay the bill any
longer than is necessary, but that every
Senator desiring to discuss it shall have
the opportunity to do SO, and such rec
d-making votes as the Democrats
think necessary shall be had This
policy the Democrats will pursue to the
end
In this connection it may be stated
that the Democrats of the Senate do
not approve of the policy of Mr.. Bailey
and his fellow Democrats of the House
Attention is called to the fact that it
was long ago said that the policy which
ha Of
the House are pursuing would be fol-
lowed in order to direct attention to the
delay to the tariff bill in the Senate
If delay should ensue by reason of
debates by Democratic Senators. it
will be pointed out, Democratic Sena-
tors say, that this delay is not indorsed
by the majority of the Democrats of
the House The Bailey Democrats will
be indorsing the Republicans in their
criticism of the Democratic Senators.
1t is not known whether or not the
advice which the Democratic Senatorial
leaders are freely giving the Democrats
of the House will be taken. Int if ia
known that House Democrats have
been advised that acquiescence in the
Republican tactics is not good policy
The Democratic Senators do not at
tribute criticisms which may be direct
ed at them to be indirectly indorsed bv
the Democratic members of the House
1t is learned to-day that in the
changes made in the tariff bill bv the
Senate subcommittee, the rates in the
metal schedule have been made very
close to the present law, and the same
is said of the cotton schedule. The
chemical schedule is understood TO he
about completed. Many changes in it
in the direction of reductions have been
made