New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-03
ALMOST READY FOR DEBATE
SENATOR BECK'S MINORITY TARIFF REPORT
SUBMITTED.
THE DELAY RESTS WITH THE DEMOCRATS
WHEREIN THE SENATE SUBSTITUTE AND
THE "DARK LANTERN" BILL DIFFER.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRfBUNE.l


THE OZARK LANTERN" BILL DIFFER.
'Br TELEGRAPH TO THE THtBUSEl
Washington, Oct 2.--The substitute for the " Dark
Lantern bill would have been submitted to the
senate to-day II tho minority of the Finance Com
mitteo had been ready Senator Beck's argument
In favor Of the Mills bill and against the substitute
was received by Senator Harris this morning, and he
and his colleagues busy all day studying 10
and adding such rhetorical phrases as In their opinion
would make 1t acceptable to tho Democratic
party. Mr. Beck had requested that the document
should not be changed in any way, and that II not
accepted the views OF the minority IL should DC
presented entire expression OF his indiviuuai
opinion. The members Of the minority inslst III
the strongest terms that this report OF the committee
shall not be laid before the Senate or limo OF it
given to the public unsil their "vicws" arc ready
for publication. II will DO understood. therefore,
that the delay in the presentation of tho substitute
and report Is wholly chargeable TO the Democratic
Senators who compose the minority OF the FINANCE
Committee.
1t Is doubtful whether the views Of tho minority
will bo ready that the report can be lad before
the Senate tomorrow, but the bill and substitute
may be presented and the report submitted iater'
That docment is said by competent persons VINO
have read 1t to be Of the ablest tarih reports
that has ever been prepared. 1t is known that Sen
ator Aldrich who has been constant In MS attchu-
ancc at the meetings Of the subcommittee ana VINO
Is a most digent and thorough student OF economic
questions, and especially familiar with the dc'a'is
OF tariff laws and administration, has devoted much
time to tho report, which is largely his handiworh.
He has had the benefit also OF the advice ana
suggestions of his Republican colleagues, Senators
Allison, Iiscock and Jones, as well as other SEN
ators. There Is reason to believe that the report
will make some important reservations For exam
pic, while the substitute as 1t stands docs not IN
crease tho present ratio Of duty on tin-plates, In
xrtllr m
for further consideration and future amendment.
The same is true of some other items Of less mag
niude respecting which definite Information Is
needed in order to reach safe conclusions. IL Is
understood that the committee has been, yet, I'M
able to obtain certain data which, however, IL cx-
poets to receive at early day, In regard 10 TN
plates There is no doubt whatever that as soon as
the necessary information shall be obtained steps
will be taken to amend the SUBSTITUTE
so as TO afford needed encouragement and protection
for such manufacturers OF tin plates as are now or III
the near future may be produced In the United STATES
The Dark Lantern bill rclegates tin p!ates' WIN
are 90 per cent sheet-iron TO the free hst, ana
proposes not only TO wipe out the tin pate ihuas's
and seriously inurc the sheet.iron industry OF the
United States, but 10 place American consumers unu
bonds 10 nav such prices greedy British manu-
facturers may demand for article Of universal use.
Tho Senate Committee on the other hand, VIII insist
that the foreign manufacturer shall be compeheu W
meet American competition for the benefit OF American
consumers as well as American manufacturers anu
wace.earncrs engaged in tho tinpatc and sboetiroh
industries The treatment of tin plates In tho DARK
Lantern, bill and in the Senate substitute, respectively
fairly illustrates the difference between the two great
political parties.
II Is uncertain when the consideration OK the SUD-
sttute by the Senate will begin That Dody Is
without quorum at present, and good many OF inc
RcublIcan Senators are said TO hold the opinion that
the subject should be taken up until quorum Is
in attendance. In other words despite the Demo
cratic declarations that the majority Is simply trying
a bluff the Republicans are In earnest.
Democratic Senators generally have begun 10 reazo
that fact and they worried over The prospec!
OF course there are exceptions. There Is SENATOR
Coke. of Texas, for example, who, In debate on
September H. uttered these brave and memorable
words in reply to Senator Hoar: Will Just say 10
the senator that II there is any ono thing IN tnss
world tho average Texan would go any nulnoer Oh
miles out OF his way kick and kill and destroy IL
IS protective tariff -. a'-.... ,r.x
senators Coke and Reagan arc both average TEX.
ans Premier Mills the reputed author OF the Darn
lantern, hill Is an average Texan Also ana they
are ali average Democrats. They all stand, Win
the party to which they belong ready to back Ceve-
land and kick and kill anil Destroy the senate
substItutc in the Of free trade and 1or the
benefit of British manufacturers