National Republican., 1884-12-02
MIR. Morrison Says No Bill Can he
Passed by the Democrats without
Republican Aid.

MIR. Morrison Says No Bill Can he
Passed by the Democrats without
Republican Aid.
Representative Morrison, in reply to an
inquiry last night as to the prospects of
tariff legislation this session, said he had
not been able to ascertain the sentiment
of members on the subject yet. He could
not tell whether o majority of tho mem-
bers of either house thought that the taxes
should be reduced how many favored the
republican plan of reducing taxation, or
how many leaned to the democratic view
as to the method of reduction.
1T is impossible" he said, "for me to
say how Mr.. Eaton, for instance, or Mr..
Randall, or the Ohio members feel with
regard to this question:" and he added
that it might be that there had been some
modification of opinion by members since
the last session of congress. 1t was certain
that If there had not been some change of
views by democratic members no tax re-
duction could be had except by the aid Of
republicans.
The reporter suggested that tho ques-
tion of tax reduction seemed to be one of
the questions occupying large share Of
public attention at this time.
Mr.. Morrison replied that it certainly
was the leading question in public esti-
nation, and that it would continue to
hold that place in the minds of the people
until substantial reduction was accom-
plished. II do not PROPOSE" no added, ito
attempt any experiments, bus If upon in
quiry find that there is reason to think
that bill proposing moderate reduction
could pass at this session shall certainly
bring in such bill" In answer to fur
ther questioning, Mr.. Morrison said that
it was not unlikely that the discussion
OF the legislation necessary to carry tho
Mexican treaty into effect would open up
the general tariff question. The new
treaty with Spain in relation to the COM
meroe of the United States with Cuba and
Porto Rico would, he said, be discussed
in executive session by the senate, and
would not be likely to lead to any open
discussion of tariff questions.
Speaker Carlisle, in reply to similar
inquiry, said that it was not probable
that there would be any general tariff
legislation at this session. There is not
time, no said, and the fact that q new ad-
ministration is about to come in, demo-
Gratis and republicans alike are disin-
clined to attempt anything like a gen.
eral revision of the tariff now. There
will be, he said, some tariff legislation
this session, because the question of en-
acting the necessary legislation TO carry
the Mexican treaty into effect will come
before the house, aud should the senate
ratify the treaty with Spain the house
will be called upon to enact the legsla-
tion necessary to carry that treaty into
effect. The discussion of both treaties
will. he thinks open up the general tariff
question and lead to some talk upon il,
but to nothing further.
He said that it was possible that some
attempts would be made at this session to
remedy certain inequalities in the present
tariff, but 1T was too early to predict the
result With respect to any general re-
vision, he said that even should they all
agree that such revision should be made,
when they came to settle upon the de-
tails they would find such difference Of
opinion that months would be needed in
which to complete the work. He was
equally well convinced that nothing
would be done in the matter of cutting
down the internal revenue taxes, because
should such an attempt be made 1t would
precipitate the whole question of tau
reduction.
Speaking of the report of the secretary
Of the treasury Mr.. Carlisle expressed sat-
isfaction with the position taken by Mr..
McCulloch on the tariff question. AS to
his recommendation that new tariff
commission should be appointed, Mr.. Car
Isle said that the present house would not
consent that another commission should
be appointed by republican president.