The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-03
A STRONG TARIFF BILL.
THE MEASURE GAINING IN FAVOR
EVERY HOUR.

All the Democrats Except MIR. R andall
Awakening to the Excellency of the
Suggestions - President Cleveland
and Secretary Fairchild Thoroughly
Satisfied as Long as They Can't Go
Further.
WASHINGTON, March 2-Everybody
read the tariff reform bill to-day, and there
was a good deal of sober thinking about it.
The more it was examined the stronger it
appeared. Consequently Chairman Mills
and the other revenue reform, leaders heard
great many encouraging expressions cf
opinion. One of the first persons that Chair
main Mills saw to-day was President Cleve-
land, who expressed hearty approval of the
bill, as did Secretary Fairchiid, little
later in the day.
BOTH CONSULTED FREQUENTLY.
The President and the Secretary Of
the Treasury were, of course, consulted
frequently during the preparation
of the bill, which was built
on the lines laid down in the President s
message and Secretary's report; but neither
of them, perhaps, appreciated until he had
read the entire bill III print just how strong
either would like, but for that matter it is
not just exactly what the revenue reformers
of the Ways and Means Committee would
like. 1t is, however, the best they could do
under the circumstances, and this the
President and the Secretary of the Treasury
appreciate.
FREE WOOL.
Free wool upon which the President and
Secretary Fairchild laid particular stress,
is in the bill Many other raw materials
are put on the free list. So are many food
products and other articles. The policy re-
commended by the President and Secretary
Fairchild of reducing taxation on neces-
sarles and maintaining 1t on luxuries has
been followed throughout the bill,
Al the capitol the Democratic Senators
and Representatives, always excepting Mr.
Randall and his immediate followers, ex-
pressed as they came to understand its pro-
visions their admiration for its intelligent
and conservative changes
EASILY RECoNCILED.
Some of them were inclined to object at
first because the proposed internal revenue
reductions were not incorporated in the
bill as presented to the committee yester-
day, but when it explained to them that they
probably would be so Incorporated before
the bill should be reported, they expressed
their satisfaction. 1t was interesting as
well as encouraging TO hear the commenda-
tions expressed by members of delegations
whose position was considered doubtful.
Mr.. O'Ferrall, of Virginia, for example,
said that the bill would command the sup
| port of Virginia, and with internal revenue
reductions added, would add two Democrats
to the next delegation from Virginia.
RICE MEN WON'T BOLT.
Mr.. Elliott, of South Carolina, said that
| the rice reduction would not affect a single
| Southern vote
The Michigan Democrats declared that
they would cneerfully support the bill.
Mr.. Foran is the only Ohio Democrat who
threatens unalterable opposition.
The Louisiana men are beginning to see
that the % per cent. reduction is less than
the so per cent. the Republicans would like
to make in the sugar duties.
The New York city men, some of whom
Mr. Randall has been counting on, have de-
clared for the bill.
GAINING VOTES HOURLY.
There can be no doubt that it already has
more votes than it had this morning. Mean
while neither Mr.. Randall nor the Republi-
cans suggest anything save obstruction and
opposition.
The revenue reform Republicans are
waiting to see what the Republican leaders
suggest before they say what they will do.
Probably Messrs Nelson, of Minnesota, and
Laird and Dorsey, of Nebraska, will sup
port the bill, and others in the Northwest
ern delegations are expected to do SO.