Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-22
DEMOCRATIC POLICY.
MINORITY ATTITUDE on THE TAR
IFF BILL OUTLINED.
WILL NOT UNDULY DELAY 1T.
EVERY SENATOR, HOWEVER. TO
HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK.
Such Record-MakinE Votes as Are
Thought Desirable to Be Insisted
Upon Retroactive Clause
Likely to Be Stricken
From the Bill.

Washington, April 2l-There has been
some discussion of the probable programme
of the Democratic members of the finance
committee with reference to the tariff bill,
and it is learned that, while their plans
are not definitely matured, they intend to
have reasonable consideration of the bill
in committee, and believe that they will
have the support of Senator Jones, of Ne
vada, upon any fair proposition they sub
NIT. The Democrats do not want an eX-
tended consideration in committee, but
may desire to offer some amendments aft
er they see the bill, the adoption of which
they consider they would be more likely to
secure in the committee than in the open
senate, 1t is said that in the senate the
Democratic 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 that
such record 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 ap-
prove 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 Speaker Reed and
the Republicans of the house are pursuing
would be followed in order to direct atten-
ton to the delay of the tariff bill in the
senate. If delay should ensue by reason of
debate by Democratic senators, 1t Will be
pointed out. Democratic senators say, that
this delay is not indorsed by the majority
of the Democrats of the house. The Bailey
Democrats will be indorsing the Republic
ans in their criticisms of the Democratic
senators. 1t is not known whether or not
the advice which the Democratic senator
ial leaders are freely giving the Democrats
hDuSp taken [ known
that house Democrats have been advised
that acquiescence in the Republican tactics
is not good policy. The Democratic senators
do not want criticisms which may be di-
rected at them to be indirectly indorsed by
the Democratic members of the house.
The Republican membefS of the finance
committee OF the senate have reached an
agreement either to strike out the retro
active provision OF the 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 Democrats have agreed
in view of this promise, not to press the
Vest resolution on the subject of Secretary
Cages recent circular. This was one of
the accomplishments of the visit of the
Republican members of the senate yester-
day. The sentiment of the Republican
members is said TO have been against the
provision from the first. but they felt that
to take decisive adverse action upon it, in
the face of Democratic opposition. would
place them in the light of retreating under
fire and taking a position because of the
criticisms of the opposition. They there
fore, asked that the Democrats keep their
hands off until the Republicans should have
had an opportunity to make their inten-
tions known The Democrats considered
this proposition as reasonable, and agreed
to refrain from pressing consideration of
the Vest resolution until the result of the
labors of the Republican members could be
known.
While not absolutely decided between the
material modification of the provision and
its complete cancellation. the balance of
opinion in the case is understood to be
quite on the side of destroying it entirely
The Democratic senators believe this will
be the result of the committees delibera-
tions and expect that when the bill is
handed TO them the clause will have dis
appeared.