The Portland daily press., 1883-01-29
XLVII CONGRESS--2d Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.
mr. Dawes presented petition of the Coun-
CHS OF the six nations of Indians, asking ree-
0gnition of their interest in certain lands in
Kansas.
Mr.. Vance presented the credentials of his
colieague, Mr.. Ransom, reelected Senator
from North Carolina.
At 11.25 the tariff bill was taken up
On motion of Mr.. Morrill, the rates on hoop
iron were reduced one fifth of one cent per
pound.
A motion to put cotton ties on the free list
was loSt, as were various motions to reduce the
rate on different items of the iron schedule
On motion of Mr. Morrill, the rates on the
different sizes of steel chains were reduced bv
one quarter to one half cent per pound.
On motion of Mr.. Plumb, the rate on rivets
ana rods was reduced from one cent to six
tenths OF a cent per pound.
. Mr. AIdrich stated that this rate is a redue.
uon OF " IL per cent from the present rate on
scews.
motion by Mr. Morrill,, to increase the
extra rate on wire rope from one quarter to one
cent, was lost-yeas 9, nays IL.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
House went into committee on the tariff
bill. 1
Mr. Bland of (Mo.) criticized the Republicaps
LOT attempting to choke the bill through with
OUT due consideration. 1t had been Whispered
tnat unless this Congress passed this or SINH
lar piiLthe President would call an extra ses-
SION. That was the thfeat which was held over
the subssct.
Mr. Kelley-Has the gentleman any authori-
ty for that statement?
Mr.. Bland-I have seen it SO stated in the
public press.
Mr.. Kelley-Oh yes.
Mr.. Began of Texas-It was so stated to nae
BY senator and by two other senators who had
it from the President.
Mr. Bland passing to consideration of the
Dill said that any parliamentary rules rssorted
10 forlIts dt feat would be justifable and indeed
demanded by the people who had elected other
men to consider the subject The corridors
ana galleries OF the capitol swarmed with
agents OF millionaires and monopolists begging
the passage of this bill which meant death 10
the agricultural interests of the country, and
according to the newspapers the lobbyists were
thicker in Washington this session than they
ever had been before.
Mr. Russell of Massachusetts believed the
bill would affect advantageously the manpfac-
turing, mining and agricultural industries of
the country. Replying to some Estatements in
Mr.. Tncker's speech commenting on the large
profits made by manufacturers, Mr. Russell
quoted from a tabulated statement to show
$54, SAT 600 had paid during the past ten years
an average dividend of only 59-100 per cent
Mr.. Carlisle of Kentucky, inquired whether
the gentleman knew how much Of the earnings
VI tntso ebtaDuSnment mad been invested in
Increasing their machinery and their plant
and their property generally, and how much
had been paid ont to stockholders in the form
OF salaries for services as officers.
Mr.. Russell replied that the amount paid to
officers was one of the incidental expenses of
carrying on the business. He had no means of
knowing how much had been spent in enlarg-
ing the plants but he believed this increased
Investment did not myre than balance the
deterioration OF the original investment.
lt wsuld thus be seen that the manufactur.
ers only made a fair profit and if large reduce
tion OF the tariff were made the price of labor
would be directly struck at. He claimed how
ever that the committee bill showed great re-
ductions from rates proposed by the commits
sion.
Mr.. Corcoran of Ohio argued THAT Congress
had the power under the constitution to pro-
tect domestic Industries since it was given the
power to regulate commerce. He did not be-
iieye however 1t was the proper policy to be
followed.
Mr.. Rosecrans of California characterized
the bill as sham and humbug.
Mes srs. Herbert of Alabama, and Carlisle of
Kentucky, spoke in opposition to the bill and
Mossrs. Mckinley, of Ohio, and Haskell of
Kansas, in it's support.
Mr. Haskell's speech closed the general de-
bate on the bill.
First paragraph was then read the commit
tee rose and the House adjourned.