Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-03-01
CONGRESS- AND THE TARIFF.

A Washington dispatch ofSaturday says:
Now that the Senate has passed the Tariff
bill, the high protectionists and the tariff
fOr-revenue men draw breath and Watch
each other, scarcely knowing what step to
take next. The passage of the bill by the
these classes. The high protection men de-
sired higher rate on iron and steel and
wool. and after the failure to get what they
wanted they would have been pleased TO see
the bill fail in the Senate. The advocates OF
a tariff for revenue, including the Demo-
cratic Senators who voted against the bill,
were disgusted with what they regarded as
a pretense-a sham attempt to revise the
customs duties. Pennsylvania is against
the bill. Her interests have been represent
ed here by fast, active and jealous workers,
who resort to all sorts OF arguments to con-
vince Congressman that there is danger be-
hind any change in existing rates of duty on
iron and steel. Partisan feelings are appeal
ed to and the Republicans are implored not
to trample upon the banner of protection,
under which they won the elections OF 1881
The only Republican vote cast against the
bill was that of Mr.. Mitchell, of Pennsyl-
yania, and his action will probably be ap-
proved by large body of his constituents
if the expressions of the representatives OF
powerful interests in that State can be re-
garded as those of the people at large.
The House Republicans are very plainly,
embarrassed by the present situation, and
do not appear to have matured any plan OF
action for the future. An effort was made
this afternoon to obtain from some of them
definite opinion as to what will be done.
The necessity of doing something soon ap-
pears to oppress the leaders, who seem to
have doubts about the disposition of the
Democrats. That there is disposition to
avoid giving tire Democrats a chance to pass
the bill Just as it is is clearly apparent. The
| Democrats are aware of the Republican state
| of mind, and are content to wait and let the
majority take the lead and bear the respon-
| sibility for the consequences of any step tax
| en-. H Il. q
The tariff bill passed by the Senate cannot
be taken from the Speakers table and sent
| to q conference committee unless the rules
shall first be amended. The Committee on
Rules will not recommend any amendment
J of the rules unless majority Of the House
shall first pledge themselves to support
motion to nOn-concur and send to confer
ence. The high tariff men who demand
that the metal rates shall be raised in con-
ference, are not sure of such majority Tor
the motion. Therefore, the rules will not
be amended, and therefore, the Senate tar
iff bill will not become law. These seem
to be the propositions established by the
Republican caucus held this evening. After
the Tariff bill had been passed by the SEN
ate the only hope of the iron and steel men
and the representatives of some other less
powerful interests was a conference commit
tee. Mr.. Sherman, Mr.. Cameron and their
friends were beaten in the Senate. They
failed to raise the rates in the metal sched-
ule, and were forced to see the bill 60 to the
House without those amendments which
they desired. They also saw Mr.. Kelley
and his friends fail to pass the Internal
Revenue bill. If the House had failed to
pass the bill last Monday it would have
been easier to drop the tariff.