Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-01-29
f0RTYSgygyTH COyGRgSS.
SENATE.


colleague, Mr. Ransom, reelected Senator
from South Carolina. At IL 20 the tariff bill
wss taken up.
Mr.. Dawes presented q petition, of the
counsel of the Six Nations of Indians, asking
a recognition of their interest in certain lands
in Kansas.
On motion Of Mr. Morrill,. the rates on
hoop iron were reduced one.ffth of one cent
per pound. A motion to put cotton on the
free list was lost, as were various motions to
reduce the rates on different items of the iron
schedule.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill,, the rates on
different sizes of steel chains were reduced
from one-fourth to one-half cent per pound.
On motion of Mr.. Plumb. the rate on
rivets and rods were reduced from one cent
to six-tenths of cent per pound. Mr.. AL
drich stated that this rate is a reduction of
373 per cent. from the present rate on
screws. A motion by Mr.. Morrill, to increase
of cent to one cent, was lost; yeas 3, nays
Al. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House went into committee on the
tariff bill. Mr.. Bland of Missouri criticised
the republicans for trying to choke the bill
through without due consideration. 1t has
been whispered that unless this Congress
passes this or a similar bill, the President
would call an extra session. This was the
thread which was held over this Congress to
prevent due consideration of the subject.
Mr.. Kelley-"Has the gentleman any au-
thority for that statement
Mr.. Blani-''I have seen it SO stated in
the public press"
Mr.. Kelley-"'Oh. yes"
~ cfr tuta 20 q
by Senator, and by two other Senators who
had it from the President"
Mr.. Bland-''Passing to consideration OF
the bill, any parliamentary rules may be re-
sorted to, for its defeat would be justiable,
and indeed, demanded by the people who had
elected other men to consider the subject.
The corridors and galleries of the capitol
swarmed with the agents Of millionaires and
monopolisis, urging the passage of this bill,
which meant death to the agricultural inter-
ests 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 effect advantageOusly the manu-
featuring, mining and agricultural interests
of the country.
Replying to some statements in Mr.. Tuck
ct spetcH, commenting ou tue large Piouts
made by manufacturers, Mr. Russell quoted
from a tabulated statement, to show that 5l
corporations, representing capital of S45,-
$4,000, had paid during the past ten years,
an average dividend of only 65 9-l00 per cent.
Mr.. Carlisle of Kentucky, inquired wheth-
er the gentleman knew how much of the
earnings of these establishments had been
invested in the increasing of their machinery,
their plant and their property generally, and
how much had been paid out to stockholders
in the form of salaries for their 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 nc
means of knowing how much had been spent
in enlarging the plants, but he believed that
these increased investments did not more
than balance the deterioration Of the original
investment. 1t would then be seen that the
manufacturers only made fair profit, and il
a large reduction of the tariff was made, the
price of labor would be directly struck at.
He claimed, however. that the committee
bill showed great reduction from the rates
proposed by the commission.
Mr. COrcoran of Ohio, argued that Con-
gress had the power. under the constitution,
to protect domestic industries. since it was
given the power to regulate commerce. He
did not believe. however, that it was proper
policy to be followed.
Mr.. Rosecrans of California. characterized
the bill as a sham and humbug.
Messrs. Herbert of Alabama, and Carlisle
of Kentucky, spoke in opposition to the bill
and Messrs. Kinley of Ohio and Haskell o.
Kansas, spoke in its support Haskell's
speech closed the debate on the bill.
The first paragraph was then read, and the
committee arose aud the House adjourned.