Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-27
FOR TARIFF REDUCTION.
Movement by Protection Democrats
Iooking tn a Diminished Surplus.

WASHINGTON, December PA secret
consultation of some Of the members OF
the committee deputized by the recent con-
ference of protection Democrats to take
charge of the eanvaSs of views Of the ma
jority of the hOuse and to formulate a bill
during the recess was held and,
IN accordance with their instructions, the
committee began their work. 1t was one
of the questions finally decided by the re-
cent conference that a bill reducing the
should be introduced. The con-
ference committee have gone q step further
aud will also include a reduction Of GER
tain customs duties and extension or the
the tree list. 1t was at first proposed
to cOnfine their scaling down of reve-
nues through the repeal of certain inter
nal taxes. The result of their canvass
among Democrats from New York, Penn
sylyania and Ohio induced them To en-
brace certain articles under the tariff. The
Ohio Democrats were willing to reduce the
duties on cOarser woods, or even to put
that class on the free list, provided a re-
arrangement OfdutIeS were made ON high
er grade woods. Some OF the PennSylya-
MA Democrats agreed to be liberal, and
meet their colleagues halt way, by favor
ng certain free raw materials. Among
articles under this head was lumber. \
proposition TO make bituminOuS coal free
vas objected To and nOt urged. The I'M
pOrtanCe of bituminOus interests of West
ern Pennsylvania, they demonstrated,
would not stand that.
There is a strong push in support Of free
iron ore, upon which there will be a dlyI-
sion among the Pennsylvania, New Jersey
and New York Democrats. This item will
ne the subject OF further consideration.
There are indications that many of Mr..
Morrison's friends could be won over to the
D of bill on the pleaOf surplus re-
luction, provided the tree raw material
features OF their bill were Incorporated in
the proposed compromise measure.
The feature Of the protection Demo-
cratic committee bill, rs indicated by this
preliminary consultation, will be the re-
peal of the tax on tobacco and spirits dis
allied from fruits, Reconsideration of woods
% admit the corarser grades free, the adj
iition of lumber and possibly iron ore to
the free list. A slight reduction may be
made on sugar, if not ~antagOnistic to the
views of the Louisiana members, who o
nave the subject under adviSement The
measure outlined by the committee Will
make a reduction OF fifty millions. The
friends of Mr.. Randall, before the adjourn
nent for the Christmas holidays, sounded
the temper Of both sides of the House IN
regard to the method of getting the bill up
IN the event Of the Speaker refusing
TO recognize them for that purpose.
The conclusion arrived at was that
the Speaker was amenaLle to the wishes ot
the majority of the House for his act and II
le undertook to use his parliamentary au-
thority for the obstruction Of necessary
legislation in q grave emergency like the
UrOper regulation OF the evenueS the mem
bers of the House would be called upon to
assert their p~rerOgatlveS.
1t is now proposed to have the bill ready
very SOon after the reasSembliGg OF Con
rreSs and to introduce il in the House and
To ask its consideration without reference to
the committee on WAYS and means, but dl-
rectIy to the committee of the whole. Ii the
waysa and means committee resort to their
previous capers on tariff bills which did not
them the Housed { Representatives VIII
be likely to witness some very lively parlla-
mentary, il not supplementary, eXhibl
tons. Chairman MOrriSon'Sfriends say that
he takes his last discontinue like a phil
osopher and has indicated to those close to
hum that he is glad the question Is settled.
He has even expressed n readiness to take
a new track ~andeO-Operate with his late
antagonists in getting up a bill for the re-
duction of the revenue without reference
to economic questions. The Randall Dem
ocrats having determined to prepare n
introduce a bill, the time consumed In Its
discussion will determine whether other
imperative legislation can be disposed OF
during the few weeks remaining Of the
present session.
If Morrison and his friends make no
dilatory manOeuvres and the Republicans
cooperate il can be done. If not, an eN-
ira session may be counted upon, rs the
President regards the enormous increase oil
the surplus revenues rs a menace to the
financial. mercantile and industrial inter
est of the country.