The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-03
THE MINORITY REPORT.
Tho RspublIcan Side Presented-A Strike
Z from the Shoulder.

from the Shoulder.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-Thc report OF
the minority of the Committee on Ways
and Means on the tariff bill was pre-
pared by Mr.. Mckinley, and is signed
by all the Republican members OF the
committee. The openingparagraphs are
Us follows:
The extraordinary manner in which
this bill came to the committee and the
total lack OF consideration given to so
grave a measure by those charged with
It's investigation, demand notice and
comment. 1t was fashioned outside Of
the committee and reached it not by the
reference OF the House, which is the
usual channel through which commit
tees obtain jurisdiction OF subject. 1t
was presented ready-made by the chair
man OF the committee; was framed,
completed and printed without the
knowledge OF the minority and without
consideration or discussion in the full
committee. II any consultation were
held the minority were excluded.
The Representatives on the floor of
the House were not permitted to voice
the wants OF their constituents. Pro-
posing grave measure which would af-
iect all OF the people in their employ
ments, their labor, and their incomes,
the minority persistently refused the
people the right Of hearing and discus
sion; denied them them the simple
privilege OF presenting reasons and argu-
ments against their proposed action.
But as the bill, as avowed, is politi-
cal one, believed to present so far us it
does the views Of the President and his
party associates, bill which, with the
Presidents free trade message, is to con-
stitute the issue, and be the platform Of
the party, it may account for, but will
not justify this extraordinary course OF
procedure.
The bill isa radical reversal OF the
tariff policy Of the country. II enacted
into law it will disturb every branch
OF business, retard manufacturing and
agricultural prosperity, andseriously inn
pair our industrial independence, 1t
undertakes to revise our entire revenue
system; substantially all OF the tariff
schedules are affected both classification
and rates are changed. SpeeiliC duties
are in many cases changed to advalorem,
which all experience has shown is pro-
ductive Of frauds and undervaluations.
1t does not correct the irregularities OF
the present tariff; it only aggravates
them. 1t introduces uncertainties in in
depreciation, which will enbarrass its
administration, promote contention and
litigation, and give to the customs Off
GERS q latitude OF construction which
willproduce endless controversy and con.
fusion. 1t is marked with sectionalism
which every patriotic citizen must de,
plore.
THE IRON AND STEEL INTERESTS.
II the majority desire to insure the
handing of our steel rail market to oul
English rivals, the proposed duty Of Sii
will accomplish this purpose unless the
workingmen who are employed ir
producing the rail materials are will
ing to accept still lower wagel
than they are now receiving and The
railroad companies which transport tn,
raw materials are willing to greatly re
duee their freight rates. Have the ma
lOTlLy any tbSuLuhCe tuuG tlle WORKING
men and the railroad companies are vii
.llingto acceptthese conditions? Neither
were heard before the committee.
The supply Of steel rails to the Pacifi,
coast is now in the hands Of foreigners
because Of the cheap transportation b,
water. from foreign ports, the existing
duty oiSl7 not being sufficient to en-
able our manufacturers to compete fol
that trade.
It should beeFemembered that OH
manufacturers otASteel rails consume
almost one half Of all the iron orr
and almost half OK all the pi,
iron that the county produces
1 II this great market for American
iron ores and pig iron is to be destroyed
the country need not be told OF the dis
tress which will come to labor and tn,
bankruptcy which will come to pro
ducers,
[Other features of the report appearet
in advance in yesterdays dispatches.l
Don't want Pork.
WASHINGTON, D, G., April IA dis