The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-11
NOW FOR THE FREE LIST
THE SENATE ON A NEW PART OF
THE TARIFF BILL.

Mr.. Vest Offers a Number of Amend
ments to the Leather Schedule, but
All Are Voted Down-The Tax on
Precious Stones and Watches-The
Free Entry Of Flsh-The Rates on
Watches and Precious Stones,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-In the Senate
this morning, on motion Of MIR. Allison, it
was ordered that the Senate meet to-
morrow morning at IL O'Clock. The Senate
then, at 1890 O'clock, resumed considera-
tion of the tariff bill at paragraph All,
making leather not specially enumerated or
provided for IS per cent. ad valorom. No
amendment was offered. Mr.. Vest offered
a series of amendments to various addi-
tional paragraphs as they came up, and
each was voted down by nearly the same
party vote.
Mr. Allison moved to amend paragraph 425
by reducing the duty on pearls from 25 to
10 per cent, ad valorem.
Mr.. Nest-I suppose there is no mistake
as to that being decrease!
Mr.. Aldrich-lt is the same as under the
existing law.
Mr.. Vest-but pearls are an article of
luxury.
Mr.. Allison-Of very delicate luxury.
The amendment was adopted by vote of
% yeas to 20 nays.
Mr.. Vance moved to amend paragraph
434 (precious stones of all kinds, cut but not
set by increasing the rate from 10 to % per
cent. ad valorem.
ENCOURAGED SMUGGLING.
Mr.. Aldrich argued that the amendment
would be solely in the interest of smugglers,
as experience showed that more revenue
was collected from diamonds at 10 per cent
than at 25 per cent.
Mr.. Hiscock said there was no doubt that
the ancient policy of the government would
be to put uncut diamonds on the free list,
and put duty upon those that are
set and manufactured into articles of
Jewelry. 81 do not vote here for IA duty on
any article that is purely a revenue article
| am not in favor of that policy. The bill
Is not constructed, and the country does not
desire it to be constructed, on the line Of
raising revenue from purely revenue arG-
cles. 1t Is constructed on the line of pro-
lection, and do not propose, on this item,
to abandon the spirit of the bill and the
policy of those who favor itn
After further discussion, the amendment
was rejected by vote of % yeas to % nays.
Mr.. Brown moved to increase the rate on
precious stones, set or not specially enumer-
ated, from 25 to 40 per cent ad valorem
paragraph 4o4), SO as to make it correspond
with the amendment yesterday as to Jew
elry. This was agreed to without division.
THE DUTY ON WATCHES.
Mr. Brown moved to amend paragraph
44O the last on the dutiable lis0, taxing
watches and watch cases 25 per cent. ad
valorem, by adding to it ''goid watches and
god watch cases 40 per cent. ad valorem" "
Mr.. Vest suggested that two parts of the
paragraph would conflict, and Mr.. Allison
said that there was not much to be accom-
plished by the amendment, as the watch
manufacturers of the United States were
able to compete successfully with the rest
of the world, and did not ask any creased
protection. But Mr.. Brown insisted on his
amendment, remarking that it was not
question Of protection, but as to whether
more revenue should be raised on luxuries
or on the necessaries of life. The amend
mant was agreed to, by a vote of % yeas to
20 nays.
READING THE FREE LIST
The clerk then proceeded to read the free
list, beginning at paragraph AL. On mo-
ton of Mr. Allison. paragraph $40 coal,
SLACK OF culm) was struck out, il having
been made dutiable yeste -dav. On motion
of Mr.. Allison, paragraph 533 was amended
by striking out the words mot inclu ling
pearls" and inserting the words "glaziers
aud enGravers' diamonds not sci, ," and para
graph 534 (applying to diamonds not set for
glaciers and engravers' use), was struck
out.
Mr. Plumb moved to strike out of para
graph 557 fresh fish the words Except
wien frozen or packed in ice, or otherwise
prepared by any process for preserva ion,n
so as to make the paragraph simply read
fresh fish" There was no quorum voting
on the amendment and the bill was laid
aside, about twelve pages having been dis
posed of to-day, and the Senate at o'clock
adinnrned to Il to-mnrrnw