Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1888 — SENATE TARIFF BILL. [ARTICLE]

SENATE TARIFF BILL.

A Washington special says: There will probably be no Senate tariff bill after all. Mr. Blaine has been heard from, and he wants the issue made distinct between what lie calls protection and free trade. He does not want it clouded by the necessity of defending a Republican bill. These views were not publicly avowed, but there is.good reason for believing they represent Mr. Blaine’s wishes. His opinion is said to have been made known to fee Republican Senators by a mutual friend, and that friend is—reported to be Senator Eugene Hale, of Maine, who'has just returned ito Washington, after a conference; with Me. Blaine in New York. Senator! Hiscoek, of New York, one of those who 1 have been hard at work on the Senate' bill, also had a long talk with Mr. Blaine, on Saturday, and his enthusiasm for carrying through a bill has -suddenly dampened. Senators Allison, Jones, and other active tariff workers, -shut up like clams when asked when tlieir - bill is to be ready, and intimate that they .know nothing about it. Senator Sherman was opposed to a tariff bill from the first; Senator Cullom , opposed it; Senator Mitcheli, of Oregon, opposed it, and the House Republicans have been almost unanimously against it. Ii looks as though Messrs Allison and Aldrich were overbourne and would have to give way to the strong influence against them.

The above is denied by the Republicans of the Senate as “Democratic lies.” -Senator Hiscock save: “There is not the' slighest foundation for the story other than may ex st in the brain of the correspondent who wrote it. You may state, as coming from me, that a tariff-bill will be introduced, will be debated, and will be passed—that is, by the Senate, for, of. course, I know nothing about what the House may do. From time to time these stories have been printed about there being some doubt as to whether a tariff bill would or would not be introduced, and it is quite annoying. There never has been any doubt about what would be done since the Republican caucus was held at the residence of Mr. Evarts. That decision was final. The progress of the bill has been veiy slow, indeed, much slower than any of those who' have undertaken to formulate the bill anticipated; but I can say this, that as f r as we have gone we are well pleased.” , .