New-York tribune., 1884-02-26
MORRISON ENCOURAGED.
HIS FRIENDS TO SUPPORT HIS BILL.
CONFERENCE OF DEMOCRATS - HEARING DhfoN'
THE WAYS AND MEANS CoMMilihI'
ApHT % TRIBUNEI

THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
IpY TELEGRAPH To THE rRiBuNE'l
wIsUySGToN. Feb. 25-lt is UNDERSTOOD 'haV
conference of the Democratic members Oh 'ho ways
and Means Committee was held IN MI Morrlsons
rooms last night: that the prospects of tariff re-
form in general and the Morrison bill i'll particular
were discussed in the light of efforts made by mem-
hers of the Democratic National Committee, who
were here last week to throw cold water on the
free trade programme and that 1t was the unahl-
nous opinion of the members present that, having
put the hand to the plough, they must go forward
without regard to the hostile criticisms OF men VINO
represent only a small minority in the Democratic
party. Chairman Morrison, 1t is SAID, was de-
hghted with the result of this conferences all anXl-
ETY. as to the result of the Democratic opposition TO
his bill had been removed, and he had received as
surances tnat his bill will receive at least SIX votes
in committee besides his own. The members pre-
sent it is understood, were Messrs. Mills Black
burn. Herbert Hard, Jones and Blount The
absence of Mr. Hewitt is regarded by outsiders as
having some significance.
THE DEMOCRATIC PROGRAMME.
II is stated on the authority of two Democratic
members of the committee. that the hearings of
representatives of various industries will be con-
tinued until the middle of next week, If necessary,
and that the committee will then begin the consid-
Grafton of the bill paragraphs, with view to bring
day March I7-St Patrck's Day. Once before
the House the bill is to be vigorously pressed. Mr.
IIurd thought he knew a good deal about the tariff
before hearings began, but he said today that ne
never fully realized the cnOrmty injustice anu
wickedness of the protective system until he heard
the agents and representatives of little industries
demanding protection" which meant the oppres-
sion of the great mass of the American people.
HOSIERY AND KNIT GOODS.
The representatives of the hosiery and knit goods
industry and of the manufacturers of fine cotton
yarns were heard to-day. They protested earnestly
against any further reduction of duties, and fought
shy of Mr.. Hewitt's proposition for free wool The
knit goods and hosiery manufacturers were repre-
sented by MesSrs. BassOn and Martin of Massachu-
sctts; Mr. Carpenter, of New Brunswick, \. j., and
MIR. Seal, of Philadelphia. Mr.. Seal also presented
q protest signed by the officers and managers OF
the Philadelphia Textile Association against the bill
According TO this protest, the reduction OF last
year has led greatly increased mpoItatlons serl-
ously Gripping branches of industry which had
welded only small margin of profit. The Morrison
bill would destroy the business of many, while
others could continue only at the expense of re-
duction OF wages below the requirements of COM
Portable living. The bill would also cOmplicate the
system of collecting duties and multiply the ways
to escape payment of them. AS usual, Mr.. Herbert
asked many questions about the rates OF duty on
machinery. and wanted 10 know if the cotton and
Ooollep manufacturers could not compete with
foreigners if machinery were admitted free OF duty
AS usual the reply that the duty on machinery
is not felt by the manufacturers. Mr.. Blount sad
the cotton manufacturers in Georgia would be will
ing TO have all the duties on cotton goods removed
If they could have free machinery.
SOUTHERN MANUFACTURERs FOR A TARIFF.
This statement has been made repeatedly by Mr..
Blount and Mr.. Herbert, who have represented that
nd oar,fap
nothing for the tariff. These statements are an
,wered as follows in dispatch from Atlanta, to-
day:
movement against Mr.. MorTisons tariff bill in this
State has been started by cotton mill men. Last week
petition was adore ssed TO Congressman Hammond
ton goods Every cotton mill III Atlanta and many
others signed Mr.. Hugh T. Inman of the Exposition
labor OF England II don't get It We must stop our
mills or cut down wages to one ac Ok W % ge PE
ns in the Manufacture Of cotton should consider it
verv rnfort1ate for the Southern mills il this reduction
Of duty Oh cotton goods should be made
Representative Boutelle presented to the commit
tee Mr. johnson, of Maine and Mr.. TAFT, Of Rhode
Island who spoke IN behalf of the potato starch
manufacturers against the bill. They showed that
the proposition to put dextrine the free list,
would Kill the potato starch INDUSTRY ol fhe nhileu
States and Cypress the farmers OF Name,
to whom its prosperity is mat
ter of great concern. Mr. johnson sad
that dextrine Is igher product of starch and that
il would puzzle an expert to distinguish 1t from
crude potato starch TO keep duty
Of %S be RSHa4 pfSeeeng @ ihs S5 tf
former should be transferred TO the free list.
5. ID. Phelps, of New-York, spoke in behalf Of the
manufacturers of fine cotton yarns anu declared
that the passage of the Morrison bill would be ruin
TO that important industry.
ALIGH7ER SUNK ~ THE EAST RITER