New-York tribune., 1884-03-01
DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCES
TROUBLE CAUSED BY THE MORRISON BILL.
AIMING TO MAKE A GOOD CAMPAIGN MEASURE
PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO THE FREE LIST.
ruP

AIMING TO MAKE A GOOD CAMPAIGN MEASURE
PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO THE FREE LIST.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsE.l
WASHINGTON. Feb. 29-The conference OF tho
Democratic members Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee held at Chairman MorrisOn's rooms on sum
day night has been followed by other meetings. tho
same sort and for like purpose. At one ef tnese
conferences it understood Speaker Carlisle ana
| several other distinguished Revenue Rsformers"
were present to give advice and counsel. The pur-
pose of the gatherings has been to agree If practical
ble as to what notifications OF the Morrison Dill
! are necessary in order TO bring to its support
| the Democrats who profess TO be In favor OK
| protection to American industries. VarOus propo-
| sitions were submitted and discussed. Upon ono
| point all the members uuted-the horizontal re-
duction must be preserved If practicable, without
exception as to the tariff any article, or class OF
articles in the schedules to be affected no matter
what might be the effect of such blind action. Tho
proposed additions to the free list offered more diff
| Guilty, and developed greater diversity OF opin-
| IONS 1t had been discovered by ono
| astute member that, drawn by Chairman
| Morrison, the bill would not put lumber
on the free list at ALL except in the case OF timber
squared by hewing OF saving. Mr.. Hnrd declared
that this never would do What the people de-
mand, he said, is free boards. planks ETC., with
|
ter if the lumber has been planed and tongued
and grooved, it must go on the free list ms
| point 1t is understood, was conceded without much
| opposition.
OBJECTIONS TO PUTTING IRON ORE ON THE PREE
| LIST.
While Chairman Morrison and Messrs. Hurd,
| Herbert Mills and Blackburn are quite as deeirons
| Of making extensive additions to the free list as
| is Mr. Hewitt it suggested by some 0f them
1..srl 4 ffrI IA nfAn
aud il would not be wise to put iron on the free
list until after the Presidential election. Dir.
Hewitt to be sure largely interested in the iron
ore industry in the latter state aud ardenty advo-
Gates the removal of the duty, but large number
| Of New-Jersey Democrats do not agree with HIM on
that proposition. member OF the committee said
to-day that while Mr. Hewitt does not yield
his convictions he will probably consent TO support
the BILL even if it be determined TO keep IRON ore
| on the dutiabe list at reduction OF 20 per cent.
A large majority of the Democratic members of tho
committee are strongly Of the opinion that to save
New-Jersey and New-YoTk to the Democrats ting
year iron ore must be kept the dutiabe list un-
til next winter. II may also save them votes In
Virginia.
Pennsylvaniais conceded to the Republicans, and
therefore the putting of coal on the free list VIII
not hurt the Democratic party there, while 1t may
thereby be helped in Connecticut, which
some Democrats with enthusiasm than
good Judgment believe can DO carried
for their party. Messrs. Hurd and Morrison were
ready with assurances that the putting OF ium9er %
on the free list will not hurt the Democrats IN Wis
e0nsn or Michigan while it viii help them nateliS
ally in Illinois and Kansas. Inc pIoIositlon ~
| free salt was beset with some perpleXities;, IL
might hurt the Democratic party some 10 Wess
Virginia, Michigan and New-York. In the last
confined to counties which are strongly Repun,,
licaa anyyay~and the tariff is q nISsal M;sS;.
issue" S Hhe %es Sa@e y1aiuia i1ue the DmoeTat.
, think they can be carried in any event; free ssis
is also expected to help the party III ILLINOIS ana
Indiana and thus the galns WIZ onthu'hper 'nS
| losses so far votes are concerned.
"TuE REVENUES CAN TAKE CARE OF T1EMsELvES'
Whether any other additions 10 the free list VIII
be proposed is still an open question, anu the an-
swer TO ii will wholly depend upon the opinion OF
, the Democratic members of the committee as 10
what will be the probable effect upon the prospects
| of the Democratic party's success III tue coming
| Presidential contest. Chairman Morrison admits
that his bill may result IN an lhcteas29
. of the revenues from customs wien ne says:
, want to reduce tariff taxation i am not caring
a much about the revenues. They can take care ot
q Themselves and do not regard II as q calamity
that the public debt is being rapidly reduced buE
e one thing the Democrats want more than redne-
ton of taxation, and that Is party success. lns
: bill as reported to the House viii represent tne
| opinions of the majority OF the committee as 20
what sort of tariff revision IS necessary 10 s,Ea %
the Democrats chance to elect President, ana 10
Will not reflect the views OF single men,ber oi te
J. | committee on the subject OF tarln REVISION
iIself Efforts are being made to bring tue go
called Protectonis Democrats to the support ol ths
bill aud Free Trade member OF the committee To-
+ cessful and that party discipline will do the rest.
lie added 4 we are defeated In the House; We
aud see whether minority of the party can rule thas
e body. They will find 10 Republican allles tneI9
: The representatives of the salt industry VIII 10
$ granted hearngnext Monday IN opposition 10 'ns