The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-09
Details of the Debate.

TO the western Associated Preke
WASHINGTON, Ocx 8-The Senate at l2.4o
proceeded to consideration of the tariff bill. the
reading in full being dispensed with. and the
Senate substitute being ordered 10 be frat con-
sidered.
Mr.. Harris asked Mr.. Allison lin charge Of the
bill to fix time ct which general debate on the
bill should close.
Mr.. Allison said it was impossible to say when
Senators would resign their right OF speaking on
the bill. 1t was . very important subject, tax
ing in every interest and every industry Of the
country. 1t seemed t, him that be oueht not
to take any responsibility respecting it He
concurrea with the Senator in a desire that the
Ball should be proceeded with Is rapidly az pos.
sible.
Mr. Harris remarked that there was not
Senator who had not well-defned and fixed
opinions az 10 the principle that would coatrol
his vote In regard to every phase sno feature or
the bill He thought ii more important TO the
country that the Senate have action upon the
bill than to have an extended debate upon its
general principles II the Senator from Iowa
would agree, ne Mr. Hsrris would ask unani-
nous consent to have a time fixed at which gen
sral debate should close.
Mr.. Allison thonght it rather premature to
make any suggestion as TO that matter to-day.
Mr.. Harris-Does the Senator think that ten
dave or two weeks would Dc suncient tog gen.
eral debatef
Mr. Allison-I hope so.
Mr.. Harris-Then | will ask unanimous con-
sent TO close general debate on this bill In ten
days.
Mr. Allison-I would not like to consent to
that, at the very beginning. 1t might be found
that We wanted eleven days or twelve days.
Mr.. Allison then proceeded with bis statement
as to the bill. There we're some things which
ought TO be made clear in the very beginning Of
he a q
which oueht to be presented. One was that the
Senate bill proposed TO reduce the revenue be-
tween S65. .00O. 900 and $4,000. 900. This
was the first opportunity which the SEN
ate had had TO consider the great question
of the reduction of the revenue since the revi-
sion OF l66o. The first opportunity came 10 the
COMMITTEES on finance. on the 2lst Of July OK
this year. after the usual time of adjournmeue
in Q long session. The House had occupied
eight months in consideration OF the QUESTION.
but within . little over sixty days the Sepsts
committee on finance had produced the bill now
mp. The House had tpsDt eight months, not
for the purpose OF STRENGTHENING the industries
OF the country, but for the purpose, or, he
ought to say. perhaps, with the effect Of greatly
disturbing these interests. That was mild
phrase. II Was an easy thing TO tear down. but
II Was not so easy to build mp. He regarded
reduction of from $50. .000, 900 to $40 600 900 OF
revenue as being great a reduction could
be safely made, and, therefore. he trusted that
no amendment would be adopted looking TO Q
port of the Secretary of the Treasury for the
first quarter Of the present fiscal year. that
there would be a reduction OF IS, coo 900 in
ceipts from imports this year as compared
with last year. Q reduction of 1000. 600 az
compared with tho Secretarys estimate. Taking
all the revenues Of the government tor the first
quarter of the current 6seal year, they had fall
on of S., ,000. coo, compared with the frst
quarter of last year He made this statement
for the purpose OF showing that the enormous
eurplup in the Treasury WAS not likely to be in
creased bv anything that Was to occur during
the present fiscal year. By the provisions Of
thu Seuate tariff bill there would bs no surplus
revenue unless the sinking fund for this year
were left entirely out OF consideration The
Senate bill contemplated. and il might "a well
be understood 10 the beginning. that for the cur
I rem, fiscal year aud for tho fiscal years that are
to follow Immediately, there not likely 10 be
| surplus for :he sinking fund. There certainly
| would not be surplus beyond the amount nee
| essary to redeem the Al per cent bonds falling
| due Oct !. 1891. According to the report Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury there was on the nrst