The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-12-15
THE TARIFF.
Republican Senators Not in Perfect
Harmony on the Question.
The Tinkering or tho Tariff Liable TO
be a SLOW Process.

Tho Senate took up the tariff bill Dee. ..
Mr.. Harris asked MIR. Allison whether the
senate Committee on Finance had reported
only one amendment TO the House bill.
"Therc l. but one amendment to the House
bill--in the nature Of a substitute SAID Mr..
Allison.
Mr.. Harris: "In order TO test the sense OF the
Senate 10 whether the principle indicated
by the House bill, which s- | understand II,
proposes TO reduce revenue By reducing tax
alton, shalt prevail or whether the principle
on which the substitute proceeds that OF re-
ducing revenue. TO some extent at least, by
increasing taxation shall prevail, | move 20
lay the amendment on the table, and | ask
for the yeas and nays"
The Clerk then proceeded with the reading
OF the substitute for amendments.
Mr.. Vance moved an amendment 10 the to-
bacco section reducing the limit OF claim for
rebate from SO 10 -, which was rejected
No other amendment was offered 70 the to-
baccO section.
The next subject, commencing at See 3
and ending with zee IT., was that OF "alcohol
In the industrial arts" No amendment was
offered, but Mr. sherman said that he had
grave doubts rs Ia the practicablity ofapply-
ing these sections without encouraging fraud.
lie believed that the object proposed was
good one to remove all tax from alcohol
used IN manufactures. art, or medicine. The
sections were harsh and severe. unnecessarily
so, but he did not believe that. with all their
hdrshness and severity, they would be sue
ceasfully applied and executed. lie was
willing 10 see the experiment tried, but he
wished 10 enter his cayeat lie addsd that
lie would reserve the right 10 offer one br two
amendments 10 some OF the details.
Mr.. Harris gave notice that he would also
have some amendments % offer 10 the inter
nal revenue section OF the bill.
Mr.. Vance offered an amendment remov-
ing from all the internal revenue statutes all
leaving the matter 10 the discretion Of the
court. The amendment was rejected by
party yote-yeas IL, nays ~.
MIR. Vance offered an amendment. which
was rejected without division, providing that
no warrant shall be issued IN ease OF internal
revenue offense except on affidavit Of the Col
lectoror Deputy Collector or Revenue Agent;
and that no fees shall be paid by the Govern
mcnt unless there be a conviction or unless
the prosecution shall have been approved by
the United states District Attorney.
Various other amendments 20 the internal
revenue statutes were offered by Mr.. Vance,
and were all rejected.
Mr.. Mcpherson called attention 90 the fact
that the rates OF duty reported for chemical
products made no allowance for the remit
lance OF the tax on spirits used in medicines.
This remission would. he SAID, simply opcr-
ate as an additional bounty 20 the manufac-
turers Of chemical products. No member OF
the Finance CVnmittee would deny that
there would be great frauds on the revenue
under the provisions Of free alcohol In the
arts and manufactures. IIe therefore, re-
garded those provisions ~ the first step to-
ward the total abrogation Of the whisky tax.
just a, sure one day follows another 10
would be necessary either to repeal the pro.
proscd legislation or a. abolish the whole tax
on whisky. lie was unalicrably opposed 10
such legislation, 10 any remission OF the tax
on spirits, and 90 any system which offered
premium on fraud and this bill virtually did
that.
MIR. Allison thought there were some force
Tn Mr.. McPhcrsOn's suggestion that this was
the prorcr time 90 test the question whether
the sections relating 10 alcohol In the arts and
manufactures should remain ia the bill or be
excluded from H. lie denied that the pro-
pos Il legislation was a steD In the elimina-
ton 81 the tax on distilled splits. 10 WAS
rather step lending O. the pcrpetuatiOn 81
that tax, because IL eliminated from the prob
lem one great interest Tat WAS now suffering
because OF that tax.
The discussion took political turn and In
the course OF u Mr.. DAVIS asked Mr.. Me-
PhersOn whether he would abolish the pro-
tcctiye syst'm or the internal revenue sys-
tenn N the alternative were presented.
Mr.. Mcpherson replied: II avn not In the
habit OF jumping before ! rcarl the stile.
When any such question comes before the
senate Tor action will take that matter un-
der prayerful consideration"
MIR. Dawes said: II state distinctly land I
would like 90 see the Republican differing
from mel that WHEN that alternative bc pre-
sented 30 me VIII vote for the abolition ~ |
the internal revenue system and against the
abolition 81 the protective system"
A tOtc was then taken on a motion made /
by Mr.. Mcpherson 10 strike out an the Sec
tions a. to aicoh0ls ilsesl In manufactures, and
10 was reiccted--yras r. nays. 20.
:. Mr.. sherman voted with The other Repub-
leans Ia the negative.
MIR. Mcpherson gave notice that he would |
renew the motion HEREAFTER
After dlsp0slngof thirty pages Of the bin /
and rcaching the cnd of schedule A (no 1
bciag offered 10 10 tho senate /
proceeded 10 the executive business.