Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-23
The Tariff Issue.

DE"oSnhitt MEMBERS DiSTRESfFUI. OF Mr.. M0RRI-
RIsoNs SILENCB-AR. WOODS TRIP FOR THE DEM
0cRATIC WHALE.
MT. M0rriSonS careful avoidance OF all reference
TO the question Of tariff legislation and persistent
refusal to speak upon the subject is looked upon
with some apprehension in the House. With knowl-
edge OF the danger OF split In the ranks OF the
democratic party upon the question, a feeling OF
distrust Is taking stronger possession OF the Ran
dall men each day that they are left In doubt con-
eernfng the position OF the leaders OF the free trade
oeemoerats, ana with all the rumors OF sweeping
changes ana split calculated TO ffghten the busi-
ness interests OF the country. Members having the
interest OF the party at hear sag that he should de-
clare himself unequivocally. It is in his power,
they say, II to act in moderation is his design To
stop the cries OF faction. Members say that 6y his
long silence he allows the breach to WIDEN and in-
Representatives who have given up all hope OF the
ways and means committee reporting bIf that can
pass the House. for tEey construe his silence to mean
q determination to carry out his own ideas, cost
what 1t may-are preparing bills affecting the issue
IN their own districts and bridging over the breach
several 6lls are ready to be offered in the House to
restore the duty on wool. and In other ways modi-
Tying the tariff SO as TO silence the clanlor from
various sections OF the country. An effort VIII be
made to pass these bills upon suspension OF the
rules, without reference to the committee.
MR.. WOODS KxPEDIENr.
Mr.. Wood, OF Indiana, declared to STAR reporter
that the real purpose OF his bill providing for an
international commerce commission was to stave
of the tariff issue until next session. and secure
prompt action, after proper consideration at that
The commission would really be a democratic
tarl1 commission, which could be working out a
tariff reform during the presidential campairn and
its report, whether popular or unpopular. would
not be made until after the contest. The party
could point to the commission and cry reform,
tain to offer fair point OF attack.
MI: WOOD expressed the opinion that general
tariff bill would pass the House this session, but
the changes would be very few and of a Character
not to arouse controversy. The bill might be
locked upon as temporary measure, constructed
with view OF securing the concurrence OF the Sem
ate, and would imply promise OF something het.
ter This would give confidence to the people
Many democrats are or the opinion, however
that neither the bill constituting an international
commerce commission" nor general tariff meas
ure can pass the House, and there is q feeling on
the part or some that certain members OF the ways
and means committee are engaged In building up
PRESIDENTIAL boomS, and that there is little rivalry
--->~>-
Keeping 1t Secret.
COL. SIMS, OF DANvILLE FAME, APPOINTED TO A
NEW PLACE-AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL
THE FACT.
The custom hitherto observed at the Senate has
been for all appointments and changes In the
on1cta1 force to be given out at the secretary's
Office, where new appointees are all sworn In. To
day when STAR reporter asked for any changes
that had been made, he was referred to the SER
there were none. Soon after it was ascerta1ned
that man had been removed In the folding room
ana announcer put In his place, and, as the usual
avenue for getting this Information was closed the
reporter went to the folding room in quest OF it.
There 1t was ascertained that Mr. John Ringold.
the bOokkeeper, had been displaced, and ". E'
Sims appointed in his stead. "where is Sims
the response us 1t Col Sims or his SOM"
inquired the reporter: 81 am the man, Col
Sims himself, " responded the new appointed. Col
Sims Is the gentleman who made the speech In
Danvile just prior to the last election which the
democrats declared melted the riot He was a can
didate for senator on the coalition ticket He re-
ceives his present appointment at the instance OF
the Virginia Senator's but why such efforts should
be made to keep the matter secret is a mystery
It is no secret that the strongest pressure Is daily
brought to bear upon the secretary and sergeant
alarms for places, and it was said to-day that
those officers are really embarrassed by the public
assertions OF Senators to the effect that they are
opposed to the removal OF subordinates upon purely
political grounds and the private conduct OF
the same senators In insisting that democrats must
be removed to make places for their constituents
Ih1s appears to place the responsibility OF making
partisan changes upon the officers, and accounts
30 1t Is whispered for the efforts to keep the re-
movals from reaching the public through tho news