Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-26
FOR TARIFF REDUCTION.

A Movement BY IrOtecliOn DelhOCFaNs
Looking to IA Diminished surplus.
WASHINGTON, December 25.-A secret
consultation of some of the members OF
the committee deputized by the recent con-
ference of protection Democrats to take
charge of the canvass of views of the ma
iority of the house and to formulate bill
duriug 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 bill reducing the
revenues should be introduced. The con-
| ference committee have gone step further
and will also include a reduction of GER
tain customs duties and extension or the
the free list. Ii was at first proposed
TO coufine 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 em-
brace certain articles under the tariff. The
Ohio Democrats We're willing to reduce the
duties on cOarSer wOOlS, or even to put
that class on the free list, provided re-
arrangement of duties were made on high
er grade woods. Some of the PennSylva-
MIA Democrats agreed to he liberal, and
meet their colleagues half way, by favor
inc certain free raw materials. Among
articles under this head was lumber. \
proposition TO make bituminouS coal free
was objected to and not urged. The I'M
portanee of bituminOus interests OF West
fhnNy DEMONSTRATED
would not stand that
There is strong push IN support OF tree
iron ore, upon which there will be divl-
sion among the Pennsylvania, New jersey
and New York Democrats. This item will
he the subject of further consideration.
There are indications that many OF Mr..
Morrison's friends could he won over to the
support of bill on the pleaof surplus re-
ductiOn, provided the free raw material
features of their bill were Incorporated IN
the proposed compromise measure.
The feature of the protection Demo-
cratic committee bill, as indicated by this
preliminary consultation, will be the re-
peal of the tax on tobacco and spirits dis
iilled from fruits, Redistribution of woods
TO admit the corarSer grades free, the ad-
dition of lumber and possibly iron ore to
the free list A slight reduction may De
made ON sugar, if not antagoniStlc to the
views of the Louisiana members, who now
have the subject under adyisement. The
measure outlined by the committee will
make a reduction of fifty millions. The
friends of Mr. Randall, before the adjourn
ment 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 Of
the majority of the House for his oct and If
he undertook to use his parliamentary au-
thority for the obstruction of necessary
legislation in grave emergency like the
urOper regulation of the revenues the MEM
bers of the House would be called upon to
assert their prerogatiyes.
1t is now proposed to have the bill ready
yery soon. after the reaSSembling OF Con-
gress and to introduce it in the House and
10 ask its consideration without reference TO
the committee on ways and means, but dl-
rectly to the committee Of the whole. III the
ways and means committee resort to their
preyious capers on tariff bills which did not
suit them the Houseof Representatives Will
be likely 70 witness some very lively parlla-
mentary, il not qnparliamentary, exhl6l
tions. Chairman M9TriSop's s friends say that
he takes his last discontinue like phli-
osopher and has indicated to those close TO
HIM that he is glad the question Is settled.
He has even expressed readiness to take
a new track andcO-operate with his late
antagonists in getting up bill for the re-
duction of the revenue without reference
to economic questions The Randall Dem
ocrats having determined to prepare and
introduce n bill, the time consumed IN It's
discussion will determine whether Other
imperative legislation can be disposed oi
during the few weeks remaining OF the
present session
If Morrison and bis friends make nd
dilatory manOeuyFes and the Republican:
cooperate it can be done. II not, an eS
ira session may be counted upon, as th'
President regards the enormous increase o
the surplus revenues rs menace to th'
financial, mercantile and industrial inter
est Of the country.