The Portland daily press., 1888-08-31
THE PRESIDENT ASKED TO EXPLAIN.
Senator CuIIom Wants More Light
Shed on Article Twenty-nine.
The Republican Tariff Bill to be Re-
ported in Ten Days.
Rumored Reduction on Sugar and
Increase on Wool.

WASHINGTON, Aug. Ex-senator Cullom
has offered the following resolutions in re-
gard to the Presidents message:
Whereas, The President of the United States
IN his message OF August 23, 1888, concerning
our relations with Canada, advises Congress that
article 20 Of the treaty of Washington which
provided for the transit of goods, wares and mer-
ehandlse In bond over the territory of the United
and
Whereas In the same message the President
also advises Congress that section three of the
act of March l, 1873, passed to carry into effect
force and
Whereas Section 3oo5 of the Revised Statutes
only authorizes the transit through the territory
of the United States OF merchandise destined for
and At New York Boston,
specially designated by the Secretary OF the
Treasury, therefore,
Resolved. That the Secretary of the Treasury
be, and is hereby directed to inform the Senate
whether transit In bond over or across the terrific
ry OF the United States without payment of duty,
canada has been permitted since July 1, 1885,
when article 20 OF the treaty of Washington, and
Sy Secton OF me act Of March 1873 are said to
tent and by what authority of law.
Senator'S Tariff Bill.
The Republican senators held conference
at Senator Edmunds's residence this even
ing. The tariff was the only subject consid-
cred.
Senator Allison discussed the Senate tariff
bill, and said conclusion has been reached
in regard to every issue. and we shall report
the bill within ten days, if possible. We
shall report it probably on Monday or Tues
day. We shall continue hearings diligently
ior the next ten days. That is all am at
liberty to say"
Sugar, it is said, will be reduced one-half,
and there is strong disposition to slightly
increase the duties on wool and correct irreg-
ularlties OF duties on woolen manufactures.
The Fertilization Bill.
The Senate today proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of the fortifcation bill, with the
amendments recommended by the committee
on appropriations. The first amendment, to
insert new section providing for a super
visory board. was agreed to with some mod-
fcation. Other amendments were agreed to
increasing from $2OO,o to $50O,0O0 the item
for torpedos for harbor defense; inserting IN
Item OF 100000 for examining, testing and
experimenting with pneumatic and other
dynamite guns, reducing the appropriation
for the erection or purchase of a gun factory
and machinery at Watervlet Arsenal, West
Troy, N. T., from $750,000 to $550,000; in
creaslng the appropriation for steel for guns
from 81 100000 to $2.500,00O, and inserting
the word American" before the word "forg
ings," and reducing the appropriation for
the purchase OF II inch, breech loading,
rlfied mortars of cast iron, hooped with
steet similar to the one now at the ordnance
proving ground, Sandy Hook. from $5OO,OOO
to $250,000.
The next amendment reported by the COM
mlttee on appropriations was the insertion
Of an additional section making provision
for the purchas of not less than So or more
than 100 cast iron, breech loading mortars of
IL inch calibre, at cost not to exceed $6500
each; also, for the purchase of not less than
90 ten inch single charge, breech loading
steel guns, and not less than 80 twelve inch
steel guns. Without disposing of this
amendment, and after long discussion, the
fortlfication bill went over until tomorrow.
The Retaliation Bill.
The House committee on foreign affairs
today, Mr.. Belmont presiding, received the
report of the subcommittee on the Wilson
retaliation bill.
The chairman said that in these questions
the committee had always acted without re-
gard to partisanship and he hoped it would
continue to do so. He referred to the fact
that the bill introduced by himself two years
ago, containing a restrictive railroad pro-
vision had been adopted by the House al
most unanimously though the railroad sec
tlon was subsequently striken out in the
Senate. The committee unanimously
adopted the amendments reported by the
subcommittee.
Mr.. Belmont having been absent when the
consideration of the subject was begun eX-
pressed the opinion that it would be proper
for Mr.. McCreary to report the bill to the
House. it is understood to be the intention
to call it up for action on Saturday next.
Benedict Denounced.
Representative Gallinger has completed
his minority report upon the result of the in
vestigation of the printing committee into
the administration of the government print
ing office.
The report is very loud and bitterly critical
of Public Printer Benedict and the majority
of the committee. 1t charges that the major
ity suppressed important evidence which
would rebut the charge that the late Public
Printer Rornds had privately sold govern
ment presses at ridiculously small prices.
1t alleges that Mr.. Benedict discharged
Union soldiers and filled their places with
Cenfederates; that the work of the Office is
largely in arrears that he improperly had
access to the records of the evidence as it
was taken by the committee; that he prac-
ticed rank favoritism in the awarding of
contracts; that he is not a practical printer,
and that he has by false figures and state
ments imposed upon Congress and the coun-
try.
The report defends Mr. Rounds's admins
tration as honorable, conscientious and able
and. in conclusion, declares that enough yio-
lations of the law and evidencies of incom-
potency have been shown by the testimony
to warrant the immediate removal from Of
fee of Mr. Benedict, the present public prin-
ter.
Pensions to Maine People.
The following Maine pensions have been
granted:
ORIGINAL, INVALID.
John d. Boynton, Bangor
SPECIAL ACT.
William c. LORD, navy Portland
INCREASE.