The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-26

70 preclude the neces sify OF any further defense
OF the Democratic position, and now the senator
nom Kansas tPlumb,, in simplicity inquired
rom his own committee for some information
on the bill Did not the hon senator
know that for the past three or four DAYS the
newspapers had been full of reports that il had
been resolved, not only by the finance CON-
miifee. but by the Republican caucus also, not
70 attempt any defense of the pending bill? II
tne Dill could not be defended, it could not be
passed de therefore, in order to expedite bus
iness. would move that the pending bill
De recommitted to the COMMITTEES on finance
Win instructions to report at TIE earliest prac-
tcable moment q bill to reduce the revenue and
equaiize duties on imports ON the basis that the
average rate of duty should not exceed the aver
age al vaiorem war tariff rate OF 1864 McPher-
son then launched out IN review of the tariff
cues ION ia general ami the pending bill in par
ucuiar. He undertook to show that ne ther the
iarmer nor the consumer would be tenefted by
IL DE referred to the campaign OF 1883 as one
for which immense sums OF money had been
corrupily raised and corrupfly used in behalf
OF the Republican ticket That money had been
raised among the benefciaries OF the pending
DILL Chief among them WIS q psous person of
Pennsylvania who had since been rewarded
with seat in the cabinet a. the price of his vii
lainy.
Sherman criticised McPherson's remarks as
TO reducing the average rate existing in 1864.
snd explained that the average of $3.50 was
made upoa all goods then duiisble, hut that at
tnat time not more than 10 or Is per cent. of the
imported goods were on the free list. and If the
average rate Of duty were ascertained ON goods
dutabie or undutiable 1t would not be Is per
cent or So per cent, but only IL or Is per cent
Plumb complained that no detailed statement
nad been made as to the effect that would fol-
low passage of the bill. II there should be a
deficit within the next eighteen months il
n glFcf - H.
the Senate ought not TO err on
the side OF . deficit Going on to
enumerate the expenditures for the next
fiscal year, he gave it his opinion that the de-
pendent pension bill within the next two wears
would be costing the people $50 10000 yearly
Plumb went on 70 speak OF the necessary expen-
dlSures OF the government, referred to the poxsi-
biiiiity OF there being next year a deficit of
nearly $50 900 that would have to be made
up by new taxes. and asked who was interested
In producing that state of things. He thought
that in reporting the bill the matter had been
overlooked. 1t seemed to him as If somebody
interested in the rate of duties had said: I'VE
don't care what the effect on the revenue may
De- That fs not our concern. Congress
mas got to mind that We want our ponnd of
hesn" He gave notice that he would offer
amendments to the bill to increase the revenue
from other sources. He would never vote for q
bill that he thought would be q cowardly eva
sion OF the duty imposed upon the senate to
provide adequate means TO meet the expenses
OF the government He would propose duty
on incomes He would propose IN increase on
alcoholic liquors. and he would propose amend
Inenis that would prevent the formation of
trusts.
Allison defended the Senate from charges of
exsrayagence in the matter of appropriation
bills.
Aidrich expressed the opinion that Mcpherson
was not serious In his motion. and remarked
that If 1t were carried into law the effect would
be to increase the revenue by $4,000 900 over
the amount that would be produced by the
pending bill.
Gosman asked Aldrich to give the Senate .
frank and fair statement as to the probable re-
suits of the bin if enscted into law. Aldrich
said that If importations for the next 6scai year
were the same a. last the revenue would be re-
dueed about $4,000. 600. He could not give
figures as TO the expenditures. They did not in.
tend to create . deficit knowingly and purposely
and did not believe that would be the result
After some further discussion. and without
action on McPherson's motion. which is pend.
ing. the Senate adjourned