Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-12-09
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS.
The Electoral Count - Tariff Inter
Oceanic Canal
Specisl Dispatch To the Register

The Electoral Count - Tariff Inter-
Oceanic Canal.
Special Dispatch To the Register,
WASHINGTON, December s.
Congress is now ready ior work, but
the amount Of gas that has been explod-
ed in the House over the electoral count
bill indicates a disposition on the part
of the Radicals to engage in political
questions that, ii persisted i'll. will ie-
tard and probably prevent action upon
some more important measures. This
Joint resolution to provide for counting
the electoral vote was drawn by Senator
Morgan and passed by the Senate last
spring. Upon reaching the House it
was called up on June l4th, in the last
week OF the session, and was made
special order for Monday last. The un-
deriving principle OF the resolution Is
that both houses mus. reject returns be-
fore they can be thrown ont.
A Movement for Tariff Reform.
The long set Of resolutions offered by
Hurd, of Ohio, defining the principles
upon which Congress should regulate
the tariff, excites considerable comment
here. The resolutions advocate tariff
for revenue only, and assert that in order
that il may bo attained the following
changes should be- male:
"First-On all dutiab!o articles pro-
ducing little or no revenue to the Gov
ernment, duty should be reduced to a
revenue basis, or they should be admit
ted free.
"Second-The duty on tea and coffee
should be restored, and to the extent OF
such revenue the duty should be re-
moved on salt. clothing and ARTICLES in
dispensible to domestic life"
MIR. Hurd was at lirst inclined to ask
reference for the resolutions ID the Com
mit,ce of the Whole, but he was dis.
suadel, and consented that it should be
sent to the WAYS and Means Commit
tee. Mr.. Hurd afterwards said that he
hal well cODsid, red what he was doing,
and that ne had finally decided upon
ofrcring the resolutions after consuta-
ton with and upoa the approval OF
about fifty Of the most prominent rev.
cuue reformers and anti-tariti advocates
OF Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan
lie intends at the first opportunity to
call his resolution up in the House, and
to force the members to u IT,
cord on the proposition ~ tariff
for revenue only. Mr.. Hurd has
uncommon skill in pushing anything he
undertakes, and he announces himself
thoroughly in earnest in this matter.
One OF his purposes in forcing vote is
not only TO place the Democrats on rec
ord on this subject but the Republicans
as well, and the importance aad signif-
cance of so doing may be
readily inferred from the prominence
that commerce, business and the gener-
al relations OF capital to labor rave late
ly taken in political affairs. Mr.. Hurd
thinks he looks far enough ahead To
contemplate parties whose important
division shall be upon the subject OF the
tariff, and he thinks this time oppor-
tune for the frs, practical expression of
opinion in that regard. Speaking to-
day OF his bill introduced last ses-
sion With reference to the shipment OF
goods between points in this country
over a part Of Cans,ia, he expressed
his confident hope that the bill would
soon be. taken up and passed.
The Captsinoy- General for Grant.
The Presidents Recommendation OF a
bill making General Grant Captain. Gen.
eral Of the army was wholly unexpected