The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-27
TARIFF BILL Is DELAYED
II Must Go Through the Finance Com
mittee Before reaching the Senate.
DEMOCRATS ms ST ON TIL, (0U3SE.
They Declare That 1t Is Nee ssary In o'oe'
1hat They May be Fully Informedof b
Is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Wants Protec.
ton for the 4 AR West-- tbs Position


cratic members OF the Finance Commit
tee will not accept the proposition made
by their KepubIcsn colleagues to allow
th, tariff bill 10 be reported direct 10
the Senate. without passing through the
hands Of the full committee, and have
SO notified the Republican members.
Senator White, u member OF the FL
nance Committee. was asked ms VIEWS
regarding tile matter, and Is beheved 10
have voiced the views vi ali the Demo-
cratic members IN his reply. lie said'
Il would pe eiad 10 srdtify the per-
soral incIinatlons of any senator, Out,
speaking Tor myself only, l am unapie
TO see the propriety oi sucn couise
and cannot acquirsce IN II. "heh Tue
bill is reported 10 the Senate, the DEM
ocratic members ought 10 be able 10
Immediately lay before their colleagues
n comparatively fun statement OF the IN
firmlties OF the proposed measure.
MUST BE DISCUSSED.
This cannot be done unless the SUBJ
ject is properly discussed IN cominl'ee'
and ii examined there with care muO"
labor will be saved when the proposition
is submitted 10 the Senate. III the DEM
ocratic members are OF any use on the
committee. II must be because they
Will be able to give this information
Besides, fair presentation OIL the views
OF the minority may lead TO lmmeuia.e
changes in Improvement OF the Dill. III
We consent 10 the adoption OF the plan
outlined by the Republican members l.
Will be said that we have gwen away
hearted opposition. Such scheme
would be novel. would require eXpla-
nation. and cannot result favorably 10
public interests.
Al our Republican brethren have pre-
pared the hill 50 as 10 make II passaoiy
digestible they can AFFORD to submit II 10
careful and conservative criticism In the
committee room. The country. Oh
fourse. understands that the Republican
members of the Finance Committee nave
had the bill since It passed the House ana
that the minority have interposed 10 Cd
struction and have not been In position
TO intelligently examine single sched-
ule. This situation will rot be altered
until the details OF the measure are DIS
closed.
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
do not complain OF delay: The sub
who have been preparing amendments
have worked assiduousy and are. no
doubt. troubled because OF the extraordi-
nary burden imposed upon them by the
House. Thus far there has been no real
debate on the bill and while | am most
anxious TO see this session closed. !
know that quite a time will be necessar-
ilv consumed in legitimate discussion.
Il have been frequently asked whether
the retroactive clause will he Eliminated.
I can only say that | thoroughly agree
with the criticisms made upon this pecu-
liar provision by Senator Vest and do not
think that it can be retained. nor do | be-
lieve that it was ever intended To pass a
bill containing such a restriction. It's
insertion By the House was designed to
scare importers. | have no reason to
suppose that any Democratic member
from the Finance Committee favors the
direct report of the measure to the Sem
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 also ascertain
the position that Senator Jones tof Ne
vada) will assume towards the measure.
He will hold the balance of power I'm the
committee and If he throws his influence
with the Democrats. they can hold the
bill In committee for an indefinite length
OF time.
WHAT JONES SAYS
He has told the Republican members
OF the committee that he still holds views
favorable to protection. and has given
them to understand that he will support
tn bill If II conforms to his ideas. He
has asked i'm a general way for increased
rroiection on the products Of the far
West
" these concessions are made II Is not
believed tina. he would assist in holding
+ss-- 80 '~--s-'h 90
time, even II the Democrats should so de-
sire.