Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-16

THE VA Us AND MEANS DIFFCLL TT
The difficulty in the Ways and Means Com
mittee over the tariff bill is not yet settled.
This involves the most important matter be-
fore Congress. The Washington correspond
ent of the Globe represents the situation last
Friday morning as follows, adding specula-
tons Of his own as to the result
The Ways and Means Committee quarrel
increases rather than diminishes. At the
mornings meeting, there was an attempt made
by the republican members of the minority to
induce Mr.. Dawes to report the bill as agreed
upon by them, if he did so under protest. But
he would not consent and the duty dsvolved
upon Mr.. Buchard of Illinois. 1t was fully
expected that the report would be made on
Monday, but the present trouble precludes
this 1t will be delayed now till the last of
the week. Few persons in the other branch
believe we shall have any considerable reduce
ton or revision Of the tariff ON taxes. Doubts
are expressed ~ to whether any bill will pass.
At best it will only be some brief plan for
cutting down the internal taxes and reducing
tea and coffee to about ten cents for one and
i've for the other per pound, and perhaps
scaling down few leading imports from Ave
to ten per cent The majority consists of
Messrs. Buchard, and Finkelnburg, (republi-
cans,) and Brooks, Kerr, and Beck, (demo.
Gratis y the minority of Messrs. Dawes, Kelley
Maynard, and Roberts. 1t is conceded that
they are the most influential in the House.
These gentlemen and friends declare their
intention to resist to the utmost the bill agreed
upon. They will probably antagonize it in
the House, first by the Senate proposition re.
ducing internal taxes; second, by placing
tea and coffee on the free list; third, by the
Senate tariff free list. Then parliamentary
tactics will be summoned in the endeayor to
antagonize the proposed reform of the tariff
by adding to it the internal revenue reduc-
tons. ,sa
In all probability the fight will grow into a
square struggle between revenue reformers
and protectionists, for control. 1t so, it is
admitted that the debate will have an impor-
tant bearing on the Presidential politics. The
friends of Messrs. Burchard and Finklenburg
say that the bill agreed on is moderate, and
one at which honest protectionists ought not
to demur. Mr.. Buchard declares that the
gave way to Mr.. Dawes in nearly
every detail, and that the only serious contest
was on the proposed change on woods and
woolens of twenty per cent. below the pres
emit rates. Even then the chairman expressed
no intention of not acting with the committee.
A serious division occurred over Mr.. Dawes
proposal to divide the plan of reduction into
separate bills on customs and internal taxes,
and take up the latter first. This by reform
ers Is looked upon as n dodge. Discussions
thereon tn would consume considerable time.
Inc session is approaching its pronounced
period OF adjournment. Nothing would be
uone with tariff, except, perhaps, to rush
tnrough the free list. The majority of the
ways ana Means determined to make the re
port on the bill in which the thrift revision
sections should be first considered Hsra
was the dividing point = r ] JT1 ri--NN