The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-09
Election Of the Democra tic
Caucus Nominee.
GENERAL SHIELDS ON THE RETIRED LIST.
Conflicting Views on the Productiveness
Of the New Tariff.
THE RIVER AND HARB0R BILL.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, April 8. 1878.
TIE DooRKEEPER soUABBLE IN THE HOUSE.
The great doorkecpsr squabble. which threatened
ono time to make tho House democrats tho laughing
stock OF the country, ended to-day IL was really
open question for some days whether tho House OF
Representatives, did not exist for tho convenience
mainly OF one Of its subordinate officers democrat
remarked to-day
ssMattcrs got to that pass that no longer
certain whether the dog wagged the tail tho tail
dog. and that interesting question: any rate
have decided"
There was q general superstition that the repubIi-
cans would be able TO carry enough democrats with
them to elect their candidate General Shields, but
the result different The vote stood :-Fieid,
1885, Shields, 109 and after this the House by al
most unanimous vote authorized tho President to ap
point General Shields Brigadier General on tho
retired list OF the United States army, which will
give him pension, that he at least is happy.
General Field, the Doorkecper, is said to be a
man of strict business habits and with nrmness
enough TO say no to the opportunities OF members
THE PRoDUCTIvENEss OF THE NEW TARIFF
DEBATE ON THE BILL TO COMMENCE TO-
DAY.
Mr.. Wood says that tho calculations about tho pro-
ducsvsness Of the tariff. which, II is reported.
the Bureau OF Statistics has put forth, based
the consumption OF last yoar, which Is entirely
exceptional year. His own based on the average
Of eight years. four Of them good and four bad years.
ana on this, which Ia far basis and which has been
revised for him by the Bureau OF Statistics ana by
other experts he grounds hts estimates. 1t should
be understood also that his figures based
actual import and consumption and not
the general imports 10 bond. His estimates are
therefore the average annual consumption by the
country during period of eight years. The present
tariff yielded last year only $12S 900 000 He is conf
dent that the proposed tariff 1t will materially help
manufacturing industries and ard in general re-
viva OF business, will not produce less than his care
ful enthusiastically, about $l50, 900. 600. II
Tho Tariff bill will be introduced tomorrow, Mr..
Wood making the opening speech. He Will move to
close general debate the bill the 10th Of April
This gives full week for general discussion OF the
subject after which details OF the bill will DO gone
through with in the customary way In i've minute
speeches. clause BY clause.
NR. wooDs RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND THE
OPERATION or THE SINKING FUND.
Mr.. Wood will present tomorrow joint resolution
70 suspend further contributions tho sinking fund
Il Is in these Words
Whereas on the LIST day Of April, A. D. 1878, there
nndsr secton title az the REVISED Ds
OF S24l 4Sy 1913 81 in excess of the requirements
OF said law which sum is equivalent 10 sbout eight
years In advance OF inc amount required by law and
whereas 10 unnecessary Tor tho mauainance OF the
public credit as IL unjust the people
tho imposition OF taxes for this object at time Of
great depression like the present; therefore,
Resolved, BY the Senate and House OF Represents.
tives OF tho United States OF America IN Congress
assembled, that tho Secretary OF the Treasury IS
hereby author izcd ADD directed to withhold any addi
tional contribution to tho sinking fund
action OF Congress- and all law aud parts OF laws iu
consistent with this resolution hereby repealed
II this should become u law IL would save during
tho coming year about $780, 600 OF taxes, and il is
probable that In that case no income tax would be
levied Tho Ways and Means Committee have lot
yet come TO any conclusion about income tax.
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL-oPPosITIoN TO
THE PETTY JOBS IT CONTAINS DEVELOPING.
There Is good deal OF opposition TO tho River and
Harbor dill in Its present shape. IL contains, as
usual, great number OF petty jobs, the friends OF
which hope and intend to got their small appropra-
tions through by opposing the really necessary
appropriations unless their own also allowed.
Tho DILL, which IS nicknamed 'rhe Great Dividc,o
sppropriatss 81, $780, II is believed that II only
the work actually necessary provided for tho bill
not give moro than a couple OF Millions There
10 disposition the House TO reject the bill IL
stands and 10 get separate reports two three
public works. such tho Mississippi lcvees and tho
He'll Gate snd Harlem River improvement u, and ap.
propriate for zach In . distinct DIAL