The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20
SENATOR ALDRICH TALKS.
His Views on Prospective Tariff and Silver
LegislatiOn-Aims of Democrats.


Legislation-Aims of Democrats.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
, WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Nelson
w. Aldrich was was moro deeply interested
in the framing of what is known as the
Mckinley law than any other member of the
Senate. The investigation which is now
being conducted by the Senate committee
on finance is being carried out on plan
outlined by him. Mr.. Aldrich's interest In
tariff legislation and his active part in all
tariff discussions is born of the fact that he
is better informed In tariff matters than
any other member of the Senate. The
father of the Senate, Senator Morrill,, OF
Vermont. is the chairman of the committee
on finance, and he will remain at the head
of that committee. probably, until he retires
from active life. Until a few years ago ho
had never missed meeting of the commit
tee But Senator Aldrich Is now the recog-
LiZed authority In the Senate on tariff mat
ters.
Your correspondent asked Senator Aldrich
early last week if ne thought there would
be any tariff legislation as q result OF the
investigation which was begun last sum-
mer under the auspices OF the finance COM
mittee
lit is a mistake" said Senator Aldrich.
Ito assume that we are engaged solely in
luV6stigdtlUS OptTdtlOu vi tuc TtCcub
tariff law. The inquiry which we are con-
ducting Is chiefly into the course of prices
and wages for the past fifty years. The
nearest approach we will make to consid-
ering the effects of the recently-enacted
law will be in the inquiry into the course
of retail prices of the articles of general
consumption for the period from June, 1885,
to September. 1891. We are engaged in a
purely statistical inquiry. When this is
fully completed the committee Will. of
ka M oil dara
which have Influenced changes in prices
and wages. The inquiry, however, will
not be completed. probably, before May or
June next"
In answer to question IN regard to the
nature of the data already received. the
Senator said: The committee have de-
cided, as l think, very properly. not to
make any statement or partial report of
the progress of their work, or to give Opt,
for publication. any differences of their
own in regard TO its significance" In re-
gard to the nature OF the report likely to
be made the Senator said: Il believe that
the committee will be able to agree unani-
mously in their statement Of ascertained
facts and in regard to many of the causes
that have been, from time to time. effective
in producing economic changes. In regard,
effect which the tariff changes have had
upon the peoples welfare within the period
named, it is too much to expect that an
agreement will be reached between the
majority and minority of the committed"
When asked If the Republicans would
propose any amendments TO the law at the
present session, the Senator replied: Tho
friends of the measure would naturally pre-
fer that all of it's provisions should he fair
ly tested before any amendments are
adopted. The Senate has no power to ini-
tIate changes. and with the present organi-
zation of the House it Is safe to assume
that all attempts at modification will be in
their nature unfrlendly to the general pur-
poses of the act take it for granted that
no plan of attack has yet been agreed upon
in the House, and that none will be unless
it is known who is to lead the assault"
what important question Will be taken
mp in Congress actively in the immediate
futureP
Il presume that Mr.. Stewards free-coin-
age bill will be considered by the Senate
soon after the holiday recess. The Senator
from Nevada has gwen notice of his inten-
tion to demand early action on his bill. and
there will be, feel sure, no disposition on
the part of the majority of the finance COM
mittee to secure delay. There will un-
cussion, but no attempt to postpone. un-
duly, final action. 1t lie. of course, impos-
sible to say what course Democratic Sena-
| tors may take. but believe that large
majority of them will adhere to the posi-:
tion taken ut the last session in favor of
| free silver"
"Will the tariff and the silver questions
be the chief issues in the coming CAM
4, paignp
..UndoubtedIy. There will be an un-
successful attempt made to rsisc other is
| sues The Democrats will. for instance.
try TO make n record for economy by re-
ducing appropriations. / believe. how
| ever. that they will not succeed in awaken
! ing public interest or in Winning popular
! favor for this plan. If the appropriations
| for the regular expenses of the govsrnme mt
are largely reduced. the efficiency of the
| public service will be crippled or para
| lyzed. At device merely to postpone the
necessary appropriations for a session, with
the certainty of creating enormous def
ciencies. will not deceive the people. The
| House, it is true. may refuse to make ap-
preparations for the new navy, TO erect
| public buildings. or to pay pensions. but it
is not probable that their notions will be
carried TO this extent"
| Mr.. Aldrich declined to express an opin-
| ion in regard to the probable nominee of
the Republican party for the presidency,
/ except To say that. from present indica-
tions. It would be either Mr.. Blaine or Mr..
Harrison. He disclaimed any knowledge
! OF Mr.. Blaine's in ntentions.