Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-23
THE MILLS BILL.
THE WAYS ARD MEaHs COMMITTEE
WILL REPORT 1T.
How the House Of Representatives Stands
on tho Bill-The Blair
Bill, &C.
IRON Our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 22.-The
Committee on Ways and Means have at
last agreed upon their report, and as
soon as it can be put in shape by Mr..
Mills it will be presented TO the House.
From all indications it is very evident
that the Mills bill in its present form will
never become law. Out OF the lG8
Democrats in the House at least 20 OF
them will not vote for it under any cir
cumstauces. This would leave 148
for it. The 1873 Republicans may
be counted as solid against it, pure
and simple. There are 4 Independents,
and dividing them equally would leave
for the bill, $50 against il, 155. But it
by no means follows that we shall not
have a tariff bill passed by the House.
The northwestern Republicans to a large
extent are Tariff Reformers, and if they
can obtain a bill that will not rebound
entirely TO the credit of the Democratic
party, will cheerfully vote for it. The
twenty Democrats who are opposed to
the Mills bill are open to fair compro-
mise.
The attempt to obtain a consideration
of the Blair bill by the subcommittee in
charge OF it this morning resulted in fail
ure. The Subcommittee consists Of
seven members-Crain, Cobb Gambler,
O'Donnell, Pennington, Russell, and
White. Only three of the members were
present until ebout ten minutes before IL
o'clock. when fourth made his appear
ance, but IT was too late to do any bust
ness then, and the committee adjourned
without action. Mr.. Grain says he will
keep on calling meetings until he gets a
quorum and action is taken on the bill.
He is opposed TO the bill himself, but
thinks that it ought TO be disposed of in
one way or another.
Mr. Faulkner from the Committee on
Claims, reported resolution to refer
"certain claims duo by the State of
West Virginia TO citizens thereof for ser
vices rendered the United States, and
which are properly chargeable to it, to
the Court OF Claims" under the Bowman
act.
The following bills have beenreported
favorably to the House by the Commit
tee on Commerce Bill for the establish
ment of a lighthouse and fOg-signal at
or near Gull ShoaI, Pamlico sound, \.
G. bill to establish a lighthouse at New
port News underground, Va. bill for
tho establishment of lighthouse at or
near Tangier island. Chesapeake bay
bill for the construction of revenue
cutter for Newberne. n. c. bill for the
establishment of a lighthouse at the
mouth of Great WicomicO river, Va.
bill to establish light off Pimlico Point,
y. c.
Mark Twain was on the floor OF the
House to-day. How he got there no one
was able TO say, for the Rules of the
House contain no exceptions IN favor OF
men of genius or humor. Eut when
Mr.. Clemens makes up his mind to 90
anywhere he generally "gets there,
and to-day ne seemed perfectly at home
amid the Legislators. Perhaps he was
onlv taking a sketch Of the National
Legislature as a subject for his next lee
ture.
Messrs. Ford and Ladd, of the House
Subcommittee in charge of the bills pro
viding for the construction of the new
wharf at Fortress Monroe and the new
bridge connecting the Government re-
seryation with the mainland, have re-
turned from visit Of inspection at Old
Point. They were accompanied on the
trip by ex-Representative Libbey. They
will report fayorably on both PROPOSE
tons.