, 1890-05-01
HOUSE ruocEEDrNGs.
Discussion OF the mn Classifying
Worsted Cloths.

The senate resolution concerning the
irrigation of arid lands in the valley of
the Rio Grandc was agreed to blythe
house. Tho president is requested to
negotiate with Mexico with viow so
the irrigation of the valley.
An amendment requesting the pres-
dent 10 include in his negotiations all
other subjects Of interest which may be
deemed TO affect the present or pros.
poctiye relations of the two governments
Wa, also agreed to.
The house agreed TO the senate con.
current resolution requesting the presl.
dent to return the Oklahoma bill for the
purpose OF having tlIe error rectiiied.
The postoflicc appropriation bill was
reported and placed on the calendar.
The senate bill was passed for the
disposal OF the Fort Sedgwick military
reservation In Colorado aud Nebraska.
The house than went into committee
of tue whole ON tie bill providing for
the classification Of worsted cloths as
woOlcns.
MIR Dinglcy said that tho object of
the bill was to make clear the question
which arises with regard to the classiii
cation of worsied goods under the exist
misapprchens'on.
Mr. Carlisle said that tho effect of the
bill would be simply TO raise the com
pcnsNtory duties on Worsted cloths from
Is and ~ cents to - cents, thus placing
these goods un the same footing rs
woolen cloths. The present secretary OF
the treasury, in the face of the law, had
decided that no legislation was neces-
snry to correct the inequality, and that
under the law he would direct the Gus.
toms officers to impose the specific duty
of - cents for worsted cloths
The importers paid the higher rate of
duty under protest. In tho circuit court
of New York IL had been decided that
the higher rate had been unauthorized,
and that decision would undoubtedly be
affirmed by tie supreme court. The i'm
porter would recover from tho public
treasury all he had paid in excess OF Is
or II couts, after having already added
that excess tn the price To consumers.
This could not he prevented now, but
congress could prevent the importers
from continuing THIS until the supreme
court rendered IT. decision. 1t was tho
duty OF congress to protect the people
and the treasury against this wrong.
Mr.. Nj ills said that the secretary OF The
trcasury's decision was palpnble violn.
tion OF the law. 10 save the government
from the plumber authorized by the
Illegal act OF the socTotsry, and to save
the people from the burden of paying
the duty twice. the government and the
people had 10 yield, pAlpably wrong as
The bill was, that 1t might be better TO
pass II than to haye the people pay the
duty twice.
Mr. McMillin of Tennessee, opposed
tho bill.
Tho committae then rose and MIR.
Dingley moved that further debate be
limited TO 30 ininutcs.
Another roll call was necessary TO re-
solve the house back into committee OF
the whole,
MessEs. Springer, of Illinois. Wilson,
Of West Virginia, aud Breckenridge, OF
Kentucky, opposed the bill.
MIR. Mckinley defended the decision
Of the secretary OF the treasury The
bill provided for simple justice. 1t did
not Increase the duty The duty now
paid WAS paid under the decision of the
secretary and all the bill did was to con.
Iinuc the collection OF the duty under
tlIc Interpretation of the law given by
the secretary.
Mr.. Breckinridre, OF Kentucky, offered
an ainendment providing free raw wool