The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-07
The Measure Will Be FavOrably Reported
by the COmmitte, but Its Fate in the
House Considered Uncertain.
The National Union League Pertects
Its Campaign Organization.
A Vigorous Canvass of the Southern States
Decided UpOn-A Bill to Appropriate
Money for the Erie Canal.
THE MORRISON BILL.
Manufacturers of the Opinion that the Meas
ure VIII Be Defeated.

ure VIII Be Defeated.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON March 6-It is a noticeable fact
that few industries affected by the Morrison
tariff bill are coming forward to be heard by the
ways and means committee. This is due to the
fact that they do not believe any bill of that
character can pass the House, and are certain
that it could not pass the Senate.
Congressman Maybury, of Detroit Mich, has
decided views on the tariff bill. Mr.. Maybury is
inclined to the belief that free trade is the one
thing needful, and in spite of the fact that his
State is so largely interested in the manufacture
of salt and lumber, he favors placing those arti-
cles on the free list. Mr.. Maybury believes that
Morrison was unwise in introducing bill with
the object of reforming the inconsistencies of
the present tariff, with so many articles rele
gated to the free list. Morrison has by this
bill antagonized so many interests" said Mr..
Maybury, ''that l fear he cannot carry his bill
through the House. My idea is that every in
terest affected by the bill will combine to defeat
it, on the principle you vote against that sec
ton which affects me and l will vote against
that which affects you. Now, if the ways and
means committee had first reported the individ-
ual bills, placing sugar, salt, lumber and other
prime necessities of life the free list, one at
time, there would have been no such com
bination among the Democrats to defeat each
separate bill, and when the free list
is out of the way it would have been much mope
easy to have passed the omnibus bill"
do you think, then, that the Morrison bill
will be defeatedp
''rhat cannot say until I shall have seen and
carefully read the bill. When l first read it
after Mr.. Morrison brought it n thought it a
very good bill and one that 1 could support.
Now the bill has been changed and amended, l
understand, so that l do not know what its pro
visions are. But am certain that there will be
a strong opposition, and l do not think that
there is much prospect of its passage"
1t is understood that a caucus will be held by
the Democrats to adopt programme on the
tariff bill. Morrison, as whipperin of the party,
will endeavor to force Randall and his support
ers to either stand by the tariff bill or declare
themselves opposed to the majority of the party.
In other words, the Illinois statesman will read
out" of the party all Democrats who decline to
cut their own political throats by voting for the
bill. Morrison admits that he cannot control
his party upon this question, and he
will find that the opposition is even greater than
ne supposed. To-day 1 talked with a number of
New York Democrats upon the subject. Mr..
Greenleaf, Of the Rochester district, said Il
don't think the bill will pass in its present form.
1t may be soamended as to meet the views of the
high tariff men, but of the opinion the bill
will not pass" Mr.. Spriggs, of Utica, said: 81
shall not support the bill. We don't want the
present prosperity of the country tampered
with" Mr.. Stevens, of Attica said: 'The bill
does not suit me. My district is the greatest
wool growing region in New York State, and my
constituents don't want the wool tariff reduced"
Mr.. Wemple, of Fultonville, said: 1.-THE bill
ought not to pass, and 1 shall not vote for it.
There are twelve and possibly fifteen Demo
cratic representatives from New York who will
oppose the bill"
These opinions prove conclusively that no eau
Gus rule can force the Democrats to hold to-
gether in support of this bill, or any similar
measure,