The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-05
EVILS OF A BIG SURPLUS.
WISCONSIN TAKES A WHACK AT
THE TARIFF SYSTEM.

Mr.. Macdonald Opposes the Protective
Policy and Mr.. Casweu Criticises the
Method of Reduction Proposed by
the Mills Bill - Mr.. Wheeler, of
Alabama, Advocates Free Wool.
WASHINGTON, May 4.-Private business
having been dispensed with, the House to-
dav went into committee of the whole,
with Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, in the chair,
on the tariff bill. Mr.. Macdonald, of Min
nesota, spoke in opposition to the protective
system and expatiated upon the injuries
resulting to the people by the locking up of
a vast surplus in the Treasury.
Mr. Caswell, of Wisconsin, criticised the
method of tariff reduction proposed by the
Committee on Ways and Means, declaring
that it did not provide for any substantial
decrease upon articles of general consump-
ton.
favor of revision, but he wanted the
tariff revised by its friends, not
by its foes. He wanted to protect
everything American, he wantedEthe stand
ard Of wages kept up, not lowered. He was
in favor of restoring the wool tariff of 1867.
He was firm believer in tariff which not
only supplied means for the expenses of the
government, but at the same time built up
and encouraged home manufacture, de-
veloped the inexhaustible resources of the
country, and gave employment to millions
Of our people.
Mr.. Caruth. of Kentucky-How are you
on the tax on empty bottles.
Mr.. Guenther-Im all right.
"How are you on full bottles?n Laugh
teri
WHEELER FAvORS FREE WOOL.
Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama, in speaking in
general commendatlon of the bill, addressed
himself more especially to the provision for
the placing of wool upon t he free list, ar
gung that it would result in furnishing
cheaper clothing to the people without in
jurng the sheep-growing industry of the
country. Turning mis- attention to the mer-
chant marine, he said that the Democratic
low tariff had raised it from almost nothing
TO 5000 900 tons burden.
He read report by Mr. Blaine while Sec
retary of State, which showed that the SUI
periority of American labor in cotton man
ufactories fully made up for any excess of
pay over the rate in England, and con-
tended that revision OF the tariff
which would enable our cotton mills
to compete with England in Central and
South America, China and other countries,
would do more than all else to enhance the
prosperity of America.
Mr. Buchanan inquired if the speaker
was in favor of free ships.
Mr. Wheeler replied that there was no tn
ing about free ships in the bill He favored
free ship materials, however.
At o'clock the committee rose and the
House took a recess until 8 O'Clock, the
session tO ha for. tho
of private pension bills.
NO INTERRUPTION EXPECTED.
The probability now is that the tariff de-
bate will not be interrupted by other busi-
ness, except on Monday next. The speaker
talked the situation over with other leaders
of the House to-day. They concluded that
it would be well not to make any special
orders for special days until the tariff de
bate ends, and for the present at least not
to take up any appropriation bills. But
Monday next being the first Monday of the
month is under the rules the day for mo-
tons to suspend the rules made by indi-
viduals.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
1t being deemed wise by the leaders to
try to get the river and harbor bill out of
the way, the Speaker has agreed to recog-
)hize the claim of Mr.. Blanchard, of the
committee on fGVerS and Harbors, on Mon
day to move in his own right the passage
of the river and harbor bill under a sus-
pension Of the rules This motion failed on
the last committee suspension day to re-
cave the necessary twC-thirds vote, but
Chairman Blanchard now thinks that as a
result Of the work which the members of
the committee have been doing the neces-
sary two-thirdS vote can now be obtained.
RANDALL ILL
If Chairman Randall were not confined
E to his room by one of his attacks of illness,
some Of the other appropriation bills might
be gotten through without seriously dis
turbmg the tariff debate. Mr.. Randall,
& however, has said that he would now bring
n them forward of his own motion. He sees
that he can no longer afford to use the
Il appropriation bills to delay action on the
tariff question with everybody watching
& him.
Speaker Carlisle has determined to speak
# on the Mills bill. He will close the general
debate week from next Tuesday. Mr..
Heed will close for the Republicans the same
n day. w. {. p. Breckenridge and Mr.. Nc
z Alnley will speak the day before,
CHAIRMAN Mills says he will oppose Mr..
banchard's motion TO pass the river and
E 33arbor bill under a suspension of the rules
monday. He thinks that too big bill to
pass IN that way. His opposition will
IS probably defeat the motion.