The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-03

Cause a Great Deal of Discord.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The Mills tariff bill
was naturally subject of considerable discus
sion at the Capitol to-day good many Con-
gressmen declined to talk about its merits or de-
merits. They had not read it critically, and in
comparison with existing tariff schedules, and
in order toJliscuss it intelligently wanted more
time in which to compare it with existing laws
to understand many of the proposed changes.
One general criticism passed by some Democrat
ic Congressman from the Southern States is the
omission of any internal revenue reduction.
They say the people in the tobacco producing
States are more interested in repeal of the
tobacco tax than in tariff reduction. These
Congressman do not talk though they were
willing to postpone consideration of that ques-
ton until after the revision of the tariff is at
tended to, and if the ways and means committee
do not soon bring in tobacco tax reduction bill.
will no doubt propose it as an amendment TO the
tariff bill
Mr.. Randall, it is understood, has measure
of his own, which embodies plan for consider
able internal revenue tax reduction, and with
which he will antagonize the Mills bill. Ohio
Democrats Congressman are slow in criticising
the Mills bill, though in a general way they all
deprecate the free-wool clause. Some of them
will fig ht the bill long 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 wise and
proper. and express the opinion that it cannot
be defeated and that it will receive the approval
of great majority of the people at large. The
Republican members of the committee-Messr
Kelley, Reed, Browne, Mckinley and Burrows
and majority of their party. express contrary
mir Tho fhoir cd
condemnation, and they prompt to declare
that it can never pass the House in its present
form. There is an air of uneasiness observable
on both sides, and members are trying to ascer
tain just how their colleagues will stand in the
impending contest in the House. The Star this
morning commenting on the situation says
1.-THE key to the situation lies in the hands of
a small minority in either party. 1t may be ac-
copied certain that Mr.. Randall and some of
his former followers will fight the measure with
determination. How strong Mr.. Randalls fol-
lowing will be is yet to be learned The great
est 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 ele-
ment of discord. The wool men and the sugar
men greatly dissatisfied with the condition
in which they find these products in the bill
The party line ia sure to be broken on these
questions, though it is by no means certain that
all those who disaffected by the treatment
of these industries would vote against the bill
when brought to final action, because these items
still retained. Their efforts with be to have
them stricken from the bill Failing in this
they are not sure themselves, probably, how
they would act The committee on ways and
means have calculated at each step how much
eacn item would strengthen weaken tho
measure, and they have attempted to offer com
pensation in other particulars for the objections
certain features aroused. They calculate that
the reduction OF the duty on wooden goods will
reduce their cost correSpondingly to the con-
sumner, and more than compensate the farmer
for the loss of protection on wool The loss OF
na&i xnnl Hnfs 1nop IN
calculation. to Sc. 0C0, 900; the saving on clothing
to SIP 600 900. The sugar men are given their
choice between free sugar, which the other
party would offer, and a reduction of % per
cent. offered by this bill Getting
the sense OF the House we'll they
have been able to, the Democrats of the COM
mittee express the opinion that they will have
fairly good majority for the measure after it
has passed through very fierce fight That
the fight will be fierce there ia room for
doubt. The majority of the committee expect
to get the bill before the House in about ten
days. Meanwhile, the internal revenue feat
ures will have been considered and the two will
go in together. either a two propositions
ombined. Which method will be ado pted has
not yet been decided. There will probably, be
a caucus in the House for the purpose of dis
cussing the measure, and ascertainiug with
some degree of certainty just how they stand.
Such a caucus would be for counsel, probably.
and not coercion. There are so many items IN
the bill operating upon another that mem
bers require to study the bill with great atten-
ton before they can determine just how they
stand"
Chairman Mills is much pleased with the out
como of his work and that OF his Democratic
colleagues. Mr.. Mills said that he believed the
bill was so conservative and fair in character
that it would command majority in the House
of Representatives. He admits that fourteen
Democrats of the Randall school will probably
vote against the measure-two from Pennsyl-
vana, two from New Jersey, four from Ohio,
four from Louisiana and two from California.
He expects, however, that their votes will be
offset by those of at least eight or ten Repnb-
licans. mostly from the Northwest. Mr.. Mills
continued s'I think the bill will pass by
slender majority. 1 said that the aggre-
gate reductions proposed by the
bills were about $50 600 0O0 We intend, how
ever. to re-enact the old package clause pro-
viding for duty on packages which was omitted
from the tariff act of 1882 This clause. you
are aware does not lay q special tax pack
ages of different kinds. bus merely provides
that the value of the goods and duty be assessed
upon them accordingly. This will add from
So 000, 900 to SO 600 600 to the revenue, that
the net reduction of revenue proposed by the
opinion of the majority of our committee that
the revenue of the government should be re-
duced not less than So 100000 We have
therefore left $50, 600, 900 to be disposed of by
changes in Internal revenue taxation"
How Tt Strikes Canadian Lumbermen.
OTTAWA, Ontario, March 2-The provisions
of the new tariff bill presented to Congress yes
terday, by which it is proposed to place timber
on the free list, are gladly welcomed by the