Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-30
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Negotiations with Observation-Disclosures
of WOrsted Cloths, Etc.

Negotiations with Mexico-Classification
of Worsted Cloths, Etc.
WASHINGTON, April 29.-In the House
today the Senate resolution was con-
Cured in concerning the irrigation of
arid lands in the valley of the Rio
Grande. The President is requested to
negotiate with Mexico with view to
the irrigation of the valley. An amend
ment was agreed to requesting the
President to include in the negotiations
all other subjects of interest which may
be deemed to affect the present or pros
pective relations of the two Govern
ments.
The Postoffice Appropriation bill was
reported and placed on the calendar.
The House agreed to the Senate con-
current resolution requesting the Presi-
dent to return the Oklahoma bill for the
purpose of having an error rectified.
The Senate bill was passed for the dis
posal of Fort Sedgwick military reserva-
ton, in Colorado and Nebraska.
The House then went into committee
of the whole on the bill providing for the
classification of worsted cloths as wool
ems.
Dingley said the object OF the bill was
to make clear a question which had
worsted goods under the existing tariff,
and to correct all doubt and misappre-
hension.
Carlisle said the effect of the bill
would be simply to raise the compen-
satory duty on worsted cloths from Is
and "a cents to 35 cents. thus placing
these goods on the same footing as
wooden cloths. The present Secretary of
the Treasury, in the face Of the law, had
decided that no legislation was neces-
sary to correct the inequality, and under
that law would direct the customs Off
GERS to impose the specific duty OF 35
cents on worsted cloths. I'M
porters paid the higher rate OF
duty under protest. In the Circuit
Court of New York it had been decided
that higher rate was unauthorized,
and the decision would undoubtedly be
affirmed by the Supreme Court. The
importer would recover from the public
treasury all that he had paid in excess
of 18 or "a cents, after having already
added that excess to the price to the
consumer. This could not be pre-
vented now, but Congress could prevent
importers from continuing this until the
Supreme Court rendered decision. 1t
was the duty of Congress to protect the
people and the treasury against this
wrong.
Mills said the Secretary Of the Treas
ury's decision was a palpable violation
of the law. To save the Government
from the plunder authorized by the
illegal act of the Secretary; to save the
people from the burden of paying duty
twice, the Government and people had
to yield. Palpably wrong as the bill
was, it might be better to pass it than
to have the people pay the duty twice.
McMillin of Tennessee, opposed the
bill.
The committee then rose and Dingley
moved that further debate be limited to
forty minutes.
McMillin thought this too short, and
the consequence was three roll calls be-
fore the motion was agreed to. Another
roll call was necessary to resolve the
House back into committee.
Springer, of Illinois; Wilson, of West
Virginia, and Breckenridge, Of Ken
lucky, opposed the bill.
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 Sec
.retary, and all the bill did was to con-
tinue the collection of the duty under
the Interpretation Of the law given by
the Secretary.
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, offered an