Demoine courier., 1854-06-29
FROM WASHINGTON.

PROPOSED MODIFICATION OF THE TARIFF.
The Committee of Ways and Means
of the House, after much difficulty, have
agreed to report a bill for a modification
OF the tariff somewhat upon the basis
suggested by Secretary Guthrie. The
bill contains five schedules Of rates. In
the first schedule the old one hundred per
cent. duty on brandies, liquors, &C., re-
mains unchanged. We now receive
three millions duties annually from this
source.
The second schedule rates the duty at
twenty per cent. This includes all the
articles which. in the present tariff. vary
from twenty five TO one hundred per cent.
II also includes iron, sugar, manufac,ur.
ed silk and hemp.
The third schedule is fifteen per cent;
the fourth. ten per cent, and the fifth.
live per cent, and embrace nearly all the
articles in the existing tariff, but reducing
TO fifteen per cent. articles which o
pay twenty ; to ten per cent. articles
which now pay fifteen, &C., &c.
The twenty per cent. schedule in
cludes raw silk and some descriptions Of
medicines and d~yesiufTs. W. o re.
ceive over seven millions duties upon
manufactured and manufactured silk.
The lists are very full, and fifteen per
cent. is placed upon all unenumera,ed
articles.
Salt, which under the present tariff as
an enumerated article. pays twenty per
cent, is to be admitted free of duty.
The free list takes in all the articles
now admitted free, az well as many arti.
cles now in the lower list Of duties. 1t
also includes certain d e.tuffs and med
~icines. Ii is not, however, as extra as
Nj. Guthrie's proposition.
With regard to bounties, the committee
have determined TO remain silent. This
does not look very favorable to the re.
ciprocity treaty, which looks TO their
adjustment.
II is estimated that this tariff will
yield a revenue of about forty five mil.
lions.
1t was evident in the discussions in the
Committee. that the administration had
shifted round. and are DESTROYS that no
action should be taken, so as to leave IN
accumulated surplus in the Treasury;
but some Of the members OF the Com
mittee were determined that the admin
is,ralion should stard square up to their
own recommendations, and that the mat.
ter should be presented TO the House, so
that the coun.ry would be able to Judge
what sincerity there il in the cry Of
economy, which Mr.. Guthrie barped
upon in his report. II is believed The
Chairman Of the Committee, (Houston.)
is sincere. and lha. he will not conseu,
10 play second fiddle to the other end Of
the avenue. Our opinion is, that the
bill stands no chance of passing this SEES
sion. Its introduction will probably
kick up a very pretty excitement.
WASHINGTON, June lS.
The opinion prevails here that the
Homestead bill will pass. and that the
Sena,e's amendment. providing for a re-
cess from the 9Th July to the l6ih DC
tober, will be adopted. though the latter
will be strongly opposed in speeches by
leading men.
The Nebraska Kansas appointments
are all the talk. The list is not def
nitely determined on. MI. Bright is
terribly indignant in consequence Of the
name Of Gov. Wright having been men.
toned Tor Governor.
One account says that The nomination
of Mr.. Wes,hcook as u. s. District AT.
sorney for New York, will be sent TO
the Senate 10. morrow. but il is doubtful.
The appointment hangs ire.
The Senate has de,e rmined 10 pass
the Homestead bill previous to the time
fixed for the recess. Ii 10 quite certain
the bill will be disposed Of during The
ensuing week.
The debate on the Veto Message clio
ses on Tuesday, and the Homestead
measure will be the first business sub.
sequent TO the disposal of that discus
SION.
The Territorial appointing will be
Kept back as long as possible. that the
announcement may not have any influ-
ences upon certain measures which the
Executive wishes 10 pass ,hro' smoothly.
The number of applicants is enormous,
and embarasses presen. action.
1t is confidently believed the House
will concur in the Senate's resolution for