Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-03
DISCUSSING THE MEASURE
FRAMED BY THE WAYS AND MEANS
 COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE.
 Differing Opinions of National Statesmen
 on the Proposed Measure - Southern
 Members Want the Tobacco Tax Re-
 pealed-The Fight on Wool and Sugar.
 WASHINGTON, March 3.-The Mills tariff bill was naturally subject Of considerable discussion at the Capitol yesterday. A good many congressmen declined to talk about its merits or demerits. They had not read it critically and in comparison with existing tariff schedules and in order to discuss it in telligently wanted more time in which to compare it with existing laws to understand many of the proposed changes. One general criticism passed by some Democratic con- gressmen from the southern states is the omission of any internal revenue reduction. They say the people in the tobacco producing states more interested in the repeal of the tobacco tax than in tariff reduction. These congressman do not talk as though they were willing to postpone considerat on of that question until after the revision of the tariff is attended to, and if the ways and means committee do not soon bring in tobacco re- duction bill will no doubt propose it an amendment to the tariff bill.
 Mir. Randall, it is understood, has measure of his own which embodies plan for consid- erable internal revenue tax reduction, and with which he will antagonize the Mills bill. Ohio Democratic congressman are slow in criticising the Mills bill, though in a general way they all deprecate the free wool clause Some of them will fight the bill as long as that clause is in it. The Democratic members of the ways and means committee, and most of the members of their party, look upon the measure as wise and proper, and express the opinion that it cannot be defeated, and that it will receive the approvaIo of great majority of the people at large
 The Republican members of the committee, Messrs Kelly, Reed, Browne, Mckinley and Burrows, and majority of their party ex press contrary opinion The measure ceives their unqualified condemnation, and they are prompt to declare that it can never pass the house in its present form. There ii an air of uneaSiness observable on both sides, and members are trying to ascertain just how their colleagues will stand in the impending, contest in the house.
 The Star, commenting on the situation says: "The key to the situation lies in the hands of small minority. It may be ac- cepted as certain that MT. Randall and some of his former followers will fight the measure with determination The greatest friction within the Democratic party will be, of course, over the proposition to put wool on the free list, and the sugar item is another element of discord. The wool men and the sugar men are greatly dissatisfied with the condition in which they find these products in the bill. Their efforts will be to have them stricken from the bill. Failing in this, they are not sure themselves probably of how they would act.
 'Ihe committee on ways and means have calculated at each step how much each item would strengthen weaken the measure, and tbey have attempted to offer compensation in other particulars for the objections certain features aroused. They calculate upon the reduction of the duty on woolen goods which they claim will reduce their cost correspond ingiy to the consumer to more than compen- s;lte tho farmer for the loss of protection on wool The loss of protection on wool amounts, according to these calculations, to $6, ,OOO, ,OOO; the saving on clothing to $12,0OO,OO0.
 "Getting the sencc of the house as we'll as they have been able to the Democrats of the committee express the opinion that they will have fairly good majority for the measure after it has passed through very fierce fight. The ma jority of the committee expect to get the bill before the house in about ten days Meanwhile tue internal revenue features will have been considered, and the two will go in
 
 bined. Which method will be adopted has not yet been decided
 ''There will probably be a caucus of the majority party held before the matter is called up in the house, for the purpose of dis cussing the measure and ascertaining with some degree of certainty just how they stand. D NEW YORK, March 3.-Hon. William R. Morrison, of Illinois, was seen at the Fifth Avenue hotel by United Press reporter. of <l,o "It is very good bill. It is identical with the last tariff bill prepared, ex- cept that it goes further. It is good bill and I hope it will pass I don't think it will pass however. MT Randall and his friends will defeat the bill by voting with the protection Republicans. The house re- fused to consider my horizontal bill and it refused to consider my last bill. I'm afraid it will treat the Mills bill likewisen