The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-14
The Morrison Bill,

WAsIIINGToN, February S.-For many
reasons the Morrison tariff bill has been
fully discussed in Washington. 1t was
the first tariff bill presented to this Con.
gress. 1t came from the chairman of
the ways and means committee. 1t EN-.
bodies the ideas Of the most conspicuous
leader of the large class OF Democrats in
Congress who favor immediate tariff
agitation. Mr.. Morrison sets great store
by the bill. He is one of the hardest
workers in Congress. He has achieved
his high position in politics by dint of
pluck and perseverance. No man moves
about the members more than he. Since
this bill was offered last Monday, his ac-
tivity has been perceptibly increased.
1t is not too much to say that he is en-.
gagged in pressing the bill upon the at.
tention Of large number of congress
men, especially upon the members of the
ways and means committee. Congress.
man Dibble, of South Carolina, said to
me to-day:
81 have just read the Morrison BILL"
What do you think of it2"
There are some good things in it, but
it is on plan do not lie. TIE idas
OF horizontal reduction of tie tariff
does not strike me favorably. 1t is not
in keeping with previous Democratic
policy. II we have opposed the present
tariff for one reason more than another
it has Seen because it ia q discriminating
tariff. 1t bears with unequal weight
upon our various interests. Now am
opposed and have been all the while Cd.
posed to any agitation of the tariff at
this time, but if We 60 in to reform it at
| all we should not begin on this basis. l
am In favor OF opening the question on
; Its merits and not simply scaling off the
surplus of discriminating schedule. If
the question must come up / hope the
ways and means committee will present
to the house fairer and better bill"
Congressman Blount said: "The bill
is merely Mr.. Morrison's own conception
| OF what should be done In tariff reduc.
tion. 1t cannot be taken as expressing
! the view of the committee st sll, though
| soIio CT its members may DO willing to
acceptit. Mr. Morrison has not consul.
led his committee colleagues on the preD.
aratioE of the bill. It comes before
them as open to amendments or as free
for rejection entirely as if any other
member of the house had offered it."
MIR. Randall declines to express him.
self on the bill at present, but it 10 we'll
known that its general plan does not
meet his approval.
am inclined to think that the extreme
tariff reductionists in the committee and
in the House will take up the Morrison
bill as the basis Of their work. Some of
them even think 1t 10 too conservative.
Certainly it is not such O bill nd judge
Reagan or Frank Hard would propose.
The anticipated difficulty Of passing any
tariff bill has caused those in favor of
agitating the question at this time to con.
suit and agree on cooperation. Mr..
Carlisle has, doubtless, been trying to
temper them. Therefore 1t is most likely
that the Morrison bill with little change
vii! be the measure presented BY the
committee and discussed in the house.
No signu of healing in tho division of
democratic sentiment on this question
are apparent now. Whsther the discussion
of the bill will widen differences already
existing, or induce mutual concessions
resulting In party harmony remaino to
be aean