The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-06-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON d. G.. May 80, 1899.
Mr.. Plumb has introduced resolution in the |
Senate which will enab its members to learn |
what they are voting for when they pass tariff
bill affecting the prices of most all of the pro-
ductions and importations of the United States.
The present practice with tariff bills enables a
committee inspired by the protected interests to
force bill through Congress without any consid-
Grafton and which none but an expert can under
stand. Until the day that the bill is presented
to the House it is shrouded in mystery Then the
party lash is applied. The desperate opposition
of few industries calls their particular
into notice. pretense is afforded for the airing
of little oratory and the bill passes. The mem
bers don't know why what they have increased
decreased in duties in the long lists of tariff
rates. and in great part of the details OF the bill
| the committee that drafted it are guilty of the
same ignorance. The resolution directs that the
Finance committee report to the Senate. in con-
| nection with the tariff bill, statement showing
| the duties levied under the present law, under
the Mckinley House bill, and under the bill it
shall itself produce in parallel columns for con-
venient mparison and examination. The ecom-
mittee specially instructed that where it shall
recommend a levy of duty not provided for by
law, or an increase of rate above that now i'm
| posed to furnish the senate the reasons therefor
| in each case, in writing.
| Mr.. Mckinley said his followers sought to gain
fame and political capital by making a totally
origina tariff bill. To do that the rates al
tered for every imported article. After four
months of labor the change was made. But no
reason given for great many If not most. OF
the alterations. In making them Mr.. Mckinley
and the committee neither knew. nor did they
take the trouble to learn. what the rates were
under the present law. He acknowledged this
| fha Hno Of tha HouSa Of CONGRESS
when applied to for information. The prime OBJ
lject seemed to be new and Mckinley high tariff
bill. It was presented to the House with no
comparative tables. and no reasons were given
| for the changes made, many of which would de-
stroy hourishing industries, and others raising
, the tariff where the duties already produce q
heavy revenue, and unnecessarily tax the people
| For example, what reason was offered for rails
ing the duty copper, after companies were
named in the House who made yearly profits as
great $6,000,000 on an investment of $1,500.000
Or on tin. that every family requires. though moi
a pound is produced in this country. The peo'
pie of Kansas would like to hear the reasons why
, their smelling works should be dried up, and the
market in Mexico for their breadstuffs destroyed
by new duties on silver lead ore, that already
produces a big surplus revenue. and so on. aG
! infnitum.
On consideration of the resolution of the Senate
, it was amended to add column showing the
+ equivalent ad valorem duty, another for cases
where tariff is reduced. and the words where
practicable" added to the requirement of giving
S reasons for alterations This last amend
: ment is unfortunate. as the committee will make
S its construction Of the word practicable.
but it is to be hoped that there are more in the
a Senate infused with the idea of MIR. Plumb tc
q suffer certain manufactures - to fry their OWL
fat rather than have the duties higher. and witt
the frightful example of the House before it. anG
its increased facilities for information it is to b,
S hoped that the Senate will produce tariff bill
that will be free of great deal of the injustice il
b that one so wantonly passed by the House.
Having completed tho greatest effort of hi
) life" Mr.. Mckinley is now preparing a silver
bill. 1t is conservative in its tendencies and o
e the general terms that adopted by tn HOUSE
caucus. He expects to pass it through the House
by special order before the Senate passes Sill
yer bill. which he fears will be for free coinage
/ He thinks if conservative bill is passed by the
House first it will have good effect in deterrinl
the Senate from extreme courses.
/ The Naval appropriation bill has finally passed
\ the Senate. including the provision for three
heavily armored vessels at a cost of $1,000. .O0(
f each. Quite spirited discussion preceded the
passage of this provision between Senators in fa
4 vor of and opposed to large navy. Mr. Blail
wished to amend by making the provision
unavailable until England had been requested by
f the President to withdraw all her naval force:
1 from American waters. and dismantle her naval
stations in both North and South America and
adjacent islands. and if the request was not COM
piled with within year. to build great navy
, In reply to the question as to what answer he
e would expect from England he said that he
, the ught it would be favorable