Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-21

WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb 1.-the
committee on ways and means gave
hearing this morning on the sugar ques-
ton to j. L. Searlcs, Jr, of New York,
for sugar importers, who made lengthy
review of the question. He claimed the
term duties on standard of colors having
been defined by the courts to be well
understood commercial phrase, it became
contract between the government and
importers. Secretary Sherman defended
the position Of the department and in
sisted upon its right, under the law, to
test the commercial value of imported
sugars in assessing duties and to employ
such tests as in the judgment of the de-
partmcnt would best protect the revenue
from frauds. He should enforce his rul-
ings until further enactments of Congress
altered or amended the present law. He
was in favor of speedy legislation, how
ever, to settle all points in dispute and
hoped Congress at the present session
would pass some law to accomplish that
result
The important business before Con-
gresS is now in such shape that il can be
finally disposed of before the 4th Of
March. and there is no further apprehen-
sion Of an extra session. There are no
questions of serious difference between
the two houses on any OF The appropria-
ton bills. The only item that will cause
any delay in conference is an amendment
nv the Senate to the legislative bill au-
thorlin- the employment of a number of
additional clerks in the pension bureau
The sentiment cf tho House is against
any such increase of the clerical force Of
the bureau, while the Senate holds that
the increase is necessary to facilitate the
pension work. The Senate will insist
lipon the amendment in conference and
the House viii resist. On all the other
appropriations the two houses are IN
accord upon all items of any importance.
The senate amendments 10 the funding
bill viii be concurrod in by the House.
The declaration of number of the lead
ing Republican members of the House
men like FRYE and awleY-at the caucus
last night, III favor of the passage of an
apportionment hill indicates that no time
will be wasted on that measure Even
should the apportionment bill fail it
would not neCesSitate an extra session.
The bill to prevent the spread of the
cattle disease in this country, pending in
the Senate today met, with opposition
from numerous Senators who earnestly
advocated Il law for this purpose, but con-
dcmncd the present bill as crude and full
Of impcrfcctions The debate indicated
that the pending bill could not pass, the
prevailing opinion being that it would be
better to wait until the next Congress for
such Il law than to put through meas
urc 50 imperfect Senator Johnston,
chairman Of the select committee which
reported the bill, states that he in
tends tc get the committee together be-
fore noon Monday for the purpose of
amending the bill so Us to coverGhc de-
fects complained Of Ii is not probable,
however, that he can SO change the bill TO
make it acceptable If the pending bill
is rejected or rccommitted it will put an
end 10 the whole subject for this Con-
grcss.
Senator Saunders. Of Nebraska, to-day
offered an amendment to the river and
harbor bill, to appropriate 81, 13S, GOO fer
Improvement of the Missouri river, in
accordance with the surveys heretofore
made. Mr.. Saunders will deliver speech
in favor of his proposition next Monday.
He saws he does not expect to obtain the
entire amount asked for, but thinks he
will get enough to improve the Missouri
considerably.
Vice President elect Arthur visited the
capitol this afternoon. It was intended
to give him quiet but friendly reception
in the Senate, but he reached the door OF
tho chamber just moment afterthe body
had adjourned to attend the funeral OF
the late Fernando Wood. He was shown
TO Senator Conklin@'s committee room,
where the latter soon Joined him.
There were put in circulation tho past
week 93. 99j standard silver dollars and
the corresponding week in 1850 1880.
In a letter 10 the collector OF customs
at Boston on the subject of the rate OF
duty on imported woods, the assistant
secretary Of the treasury Classics wool
ion as secured wool and decides the rate