New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-23
WHAT WILL THE SENATE DO!
rprcr-r.AT1oN on THE DISPOSAL OF THE
VI H0 '1' FREE TRADE BILL
er.srr1urx IN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AS TO THE
u,Isnox OF PASSING THE SENATE MEASURE
AT TRIs SESSION.
rux rELKGHAPH TIE rRIBUNE

.r.sr,1urr IN PREPARArIoN-DoUBrA AS TO THE
u,spoM OF PASSING THE SENATE MEASURE
AT rRIs SESSION.
rsY rELEGRAPa TIE TRIBUNE
Washington, July 22.-Whether or not the Sem
s.e Finance Committee will complete and the Sen
ate discuss and pass an amendment in the nature
Of substitute for the Darl-Lantern7 bill before
the adjournment of Congress is uncertain. 1t is
pretty generally known that the subcommittee
amendment, or substitute, which will be ready to
he submitted 10 the full committee within the
next two or three days, aims at a complete re-
vision of the tariff and internal revenue laws
and it is still more generally known and under
stood that the Dark Lantern bill is mere hotch-
potch measure, designed, not TO remove the incon-
eruties and inequalities of the present
hw but to promote Democratic sue
cess in the coming election. IL asgra-
Yates instead of removing present 1reeuaii-
ties and 10 the surplus. proposes TO increase 10
so far as the revenue from customs Is concerned.
That is what the Free Traders want. In his speech
Of April II, opening the general debate on the
Dark Lantern bill Premier NILS declared
in terms that if to-day the barriers against I'M
portions were broken Gown d1d our imports
should increase from two to three hundred mil
lons7 the prosperity of the country would IN
crease in the same ratio In another place he said;
III we DaO no tarU, II All tlt tuStou liouaOS "N'N
torn down ard the Government was supported by
direct taxation not more than lc per cent OF all
the manufactured products consumed by all the
people would be imported into the country And
almost in the same breath he asked What use
have our manufacturers for a tariff at all ?"
The Dark Lantern bill was framed in accord
ence with the theory above indicated. and it has
been modified in such particulars only as par
tisan considerations outwcighed the desires and
convictions Of the free-trade cabal which prepared
it. Some Of the most important notifications
wore not made until July Q. and the bill did not
reach the Senate until late yesterday afternoon
The session is nearly nine months old and Con-
gress is sitting in the heat Of midsummer. 1t
cannot be held together six weeks longer, and
some Of the biggest and most important appropria-
tion bills have yet to he considered and passed by
both Houses The Senate cannot give even
month TO the revenue question. which the Demo-
cratic majority in the House has taken nearly
nine months 20 consider and dispose of. after It's
fashion During all the time the hands of the
Senate have been virtually tied During all that
time too the f-ce-tradc leaders the House have
continuously and persisfontly refused 20 make
public the information, if any. upon whlch tner
action is based, TO give any intelligent or IN
tell gble reasons for that action From first to
last in thcr attacks upon the protective system
they have pursued the tactics Of the bushwhacker.
Always heretofore the Senate has had the benefit
Of the information furnished TO the coordinate
branch of Congress and which IS abSo-
lutely essential 10 the framing OF
Just and inteili gent tariff measure
In th, case. the Senate must seek and obtain
that information for Itself This means OF course,
duplication oI work and the consumption oil more
time. The Subcommittee Of finance mas al
ready obtained much nccdful information by open
ing it's doors to the representatives OF manuIacI-
rrcrs and of worllngmeu engaged IN manulactur-
ing industries as well as to the representatives.
of tho wool-crowiRg and agricultural interests
all ol whom had bcpn rudcly rcpulsed by Inc
Mills committee. But the fact remains that 1he
Senate will have only Scant montA IN whiIh @ 10
consider and dispose OF subJcct Whlch the ilouse
has dawdlcd over since December 3, despite the
Presidents urgent appeal and wr'rnlng
There is difference OF opnlOu among Nepuo-
Ecans as 10 the wisdom of attempt by the
Senate TO consider and pass suitable SUBSTITUTE
for the Dark Lantern bill at this session
good many Of them express the opinion thaI IL
would be wiscr-in view OF the evident lact that
no tariff measure can become law before Con
grcss adjourrs-to have a sub-coIiEilttee OF ihe
Committee Finance authorized TO SIT during
The recess to obtain such further mi ormatlon as
NAV he necessary. and TO prepare ana summit 10
the Senate. when Congress reassemDies, SUD SUD
mend itself to the country and form the OASIS OF
Intelligent revenue legislation. They fear that
the haSty consideration ana adopuQh OIL All SUI w.
stitute q month hence. when everybody VIII pe
exhausted by the toll and strain OF Il Ten moIths
session and anxious to leave the NdllOndI C3pl-
tol might moi be wise or profitable. On the olher
Ind somc Rrpublicans including it is SAID,
majority Of the Republican members OF the lnahce
Committee. favor an effort 10 Dring SUBSTITUTE
forward pass it before the adJourn9mena, aiI lee
il be sent TO committee OF conference; WIoSSc TS
report shall be acted upon III Decemper fr9DapA
a decision rs TO which course shall De auoPIeu
will be reached within the next three or lOur
davs If the former Congress may adjourn Dy
August 20: if the latter. II is propaDc thaI 1nc
session will run pretty well into September