Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-07
IRON AND COTTON.
Senators Still Pegging Away on the
Mckinley Bill.
THE NEGRO AND THE TARIFF.
The General Deficiency Bill Taken
Up in the House.
A DULL TIME At THE CAPITOL.
SENATE.

The Senate met at 10 a. m. and q call showed
that there were only thirty-two Senators
eleven less than a quorum) in attendance.
After a short waiting, while the sergeant-st-
arms was supposed to be inviting the attend
ance of absent Senator's quorum was OBJ
tanned and the journal of yesterday proceed
lngs was read by the secretary. After some
preliminary morning business the tariff bill
was taken up, the pending question being on
Mr.. Nances amendment to reduce the duty on
pig iron paragraph 1913. page 25,) from $40 of
a cent per pound to IS per ton.
THE COST OF LABOR.
Nc. Edmunds presented a letter received by
him from Mr.. Weaver, acting commissioner Of
the department of labor, giving the figures of
the cost of direct labor in the several processes
OF converting the natural elements into pig
iron. steel ingots and steel rails-the total
being $11.59 for q ton of steel rails out of q
total cost OF $25 n, Or at the rate Of As per
cent for direct labor from beginning to end
Mr. Reagan remarked that that estimate was
only one-half of Mr.. Hewitt's estimate, which
was 90 per cent
Mr.. Edmunds explained that Mr.. Hewitt's
statement included all the labor cost, while
that now presented only applied to the direct
labor cost
The question was taken and Mr.. vance's
amendment was rejected-yeas IL, nays a.
There were no deviations from party lines on
this vote.
THINKs 1T TOO HIGH.
The next paragraph Q20 taxes bar iron
round iron, fat and square iron from eight
tenths Of cent to cent per pound accord
ing to classification.
Mr.. Mcpherson stated that the average duty
In the paragraph was nine-tenths Of a cent per
pound and that the duty on a ton of such iron
Gin equal quantities) would be s20.16. The
iron referred to was iron of the lowest quail
ity-not charcoal iron-and the duty proposed
was altogether too high. He moved to amend
by striking out the rates per pound and insert
ing uniform rate of SO per cent ad valorem.
He quoted latest prices OF English iron Of the
same descriptions and qualities, and said that
the duty proposed in the bill was equal to from
65 to 80 per cent ad valorem.
MIR. Sherman questioned Mr.. McPherson's
facts and figures.
THE AMENDMENT REJECTED.
After further debate MrSMcPherson's amend
ment was reiected-yeas, IS; nays, 2s-another
strict party vote.
The next paragraph Q3O taxes round iron
in coils or rods (of certain shapes or sizes)
lilo cents per pound; with proviso that all
charcoal iron shall be subject to a duty of not
less than S22 per ton. Mr.. Aldrich assured Mr.
Mcpherson Gin reply TO an objection Of his)
that the proviso did not apply to pig iron. Mr..
MCPHERSON moved to reduce the various rates
In the paragraph. Rejected.
Mr.. Vance moved to reduce the rate in para
graph 131 (beams, girders and other structural
shapes OF iron or steeD from $40 to 6-10 Of
cent per pound.
Mr.. Gray asked to be informed why the duty
on structural forms Of steel and iron used for
ships and buildings should not be reduced.
The duty should be entirely removed, he said,
on such structural forms as were to be used in
vessels intended for foreign trade. That could
not lnJure any domestic business, because no
vessels for foreign commerce were being con-
structed in the United States.
=, Mr.. Aldrich remarked that a provision for
that purpose was made in another paragraph
IN THE INTEREST OF AGRICULTURE.
Mr.. Paddock appealed to Mr.. Aldrich in the
interest OF agriculture, to agree to q reduction
Of at least LILO cent per pound on struc-
tural iron. Mr.. Aldrich hearkened to the ap-
peal and on his motion the rate was reduced to
lilo cent per pound, Mr.. Vance's amend
ment to make it 6-l0 having been rejected.
The next paragraph G32) applies to boiler
iron or steel and imposes duties varying, ac-
cordlng to classification, from cent per pound
to lilo cents per pound-the duty on the
highest class to be 45 per cent ad valorem
Mr.. Vest, after an argument controyertiug
the protectionist claim that low prices are the
result of tariff legislation, moved to reduce the
various specific rates in the paragraph to 50
cents ad valorem. Rejected-yeas, 20; nays,
26-a strict party vote.
The next paragraph C33) proposes duty of
$40 cents per pound on forgings of iron or
steel Mr.. Mcpherson moved to make the rate
45 per cent ad valorem. Rejected-yeas, Is;
nays, %.
The next paragraph (134) applies to hoop or
band or scroll or other iron or steel taxing it
according to Sizes with a proviso that cotton
ties shall pay two-tenths Of q cent per pound
additional.
COTTON TIES.
Mr.. Coke moved to make the duty on cotton
ties 35 per cent ad valorem, the present rate
and addressed the Senate in support Of that
amendment. He said that the rate contained
in the bill was equal to 1903 per cent ad valo-
rem. and that there was no proper public pol
icy in adding to the burdens Of the cotton
growers.
The whole labor cost in the production of
cotton ties was only 20 per cent-so that the
present rate gave a bonus Of 15 per cent to the
manufacturer.
THE NEGROES AND THE TARIFF.
Mr.. Vest alluded to the fact that, in regard
to the three products in which the negroes of
the country had the most interest-sugar, rice
and cotton-they were legislated against in the
bill But that, he said. was easily accounted
for. The negroes contributed nothing but
their votes to the republican party. The cot
ton-tie manufacturers OF Pittsburg had not
asked for any increase of duty, and yet the bill
increased it 200 per cent.
HOUSE.