The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-12
THE FIRST MOVE.
Attack by Democrats on the
Tariff Act.
BreCklnTidS0 Proposes to Repeal a Section
Of The Mckinley Bill.
The YiCe-PreSldent'S BaIquet-DemOCfatS
Preparing for the Convention Contest.
The Circuit Judgeship.
Special TO THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE Republican
principles Of reciprocity, as embodied in the
Mckinley act and practiced by the present
Administration, were assailed for the first
time by the Dem ocrats this session in the
resolution which Representative Breckin-
ridge OF Kentucky asked unanimous con-
sent to offer in the House to-day. This reso-
luton, the introduction of which was OBJ
lected to by Burrows of Michigan, recites
the letters recently written by the Secre-
tary OF State by the direction Of the Presi-
dent to the diplomatic representatives or
venezuela, Nicaragua. Colombia, Hon
duras and other nations; it further rectes
that such action by the President will be
unconstitutional. onerous aud unjust, and
lnstructs the Committee OF Ways and Means
to report, before February 2jth, a bill re-
pealing the third section of the Mckinley
act. The President is also authorized by
the resolution, without further legislation,
10 declare the ports of the United States
free and open to all products Of any nation
CT the American hemisphere upon which
no export duties are imposed as long as
such nation shall admit to its ports free of
taxes, -four, cOrnmeal and other breadstuffS,
preserved meats, fish, vegetables and fruits,
cOtton-Seed oil, rice, lumber, agricultural
implements, etc., or such other products as
may be agreed upon.
BRECKINRIDGE's VIEWS.
II believe" said Breckenridge TO THE
GAIT ri ttthat no third
ton Of the Mckinley act is unconstitutional,
and also that retaliation is not only unwise
as regards our relations. but really burden
some to our own citizens, for it imposes
duties which they have to pay; and where
this retaliatOry measure is adopted as TO
certain nations it makes AL unjust discrim-
nation which may also not only be arbi-
trary, but may not be free from corruption.
Aud yet," continued Breckenridge, being
in favor of the freest possible trade con-
sistent with raising the needed revenues of
the Government l append the instruction to
report In lieu of the section a true rec-
procity provision. | do not entirely agree
with some of the leading Democratic states
men as to the reciprocity treaties and ar
rangements. There are grave objections
TO them, bat | think them better
than prohibitory tariffs. and If we
cannot enact such revenue laws as
/ desire l prefer to see reciprocal arrange
ments made as. TAR rs they can be, with any
or all nations, believing that every move
meut in favor Of treerIrade will serve as an
educational process, accust0mng the coun-
try to better views and practices in our COM
meTclal relations"
FAVORABLY RECEIVED BY DEMOCRATS.
Breckinridce's resolution appears to he
well received by the majority of the Ways
and Means Committee. " | think very favor
ably ut th5 proposition" said Chairman
Springer. "Of course cannot say what the
committee may decide 10 do. | am in favor
of reciprocity, but whether | will be willing
to go to the extent provided for the articles
mentioned in the resolution ] cannot say.
That question, however, is mere matter of
detail, aud does not affect the vital principle
embodied in Breckinridge's resolution"
THE CCUNSELMAN CASE.
The United States Supreme Court to-day
in the interstate commerce case Of Charles
COunselman, appellant W. Frank Hitch
cock, Marshal of the United States District
Court for the Northern District Of Illinois,
has decided that witnesses cannot be COM
PEELED 10 testify in any criminal cases where
the answers might tend To crImlnate them
In any way or subject them to any possible
future prosecution. This case is one of the
greatest interest to railroads and attracted
widespread attention. Counselman was
asked whether he had ever obtained from
any railroad q rate on grain shipments
lower than the open rate to all shippers. He
refused to answer on the ground that it
might c.iminate him, and claimed protec-
tiOn of the constitutional guarantee con-
ferred by the fifth amendment to the Con-
stltuliOn. Judge Gresham decided against
him, and held hlm III contempt OF court for
refusing 10 answer questions, and it is on
an appeal from Judge Gresham's order that
thp % dnaiInd nv ha IN ~ m
day came up.
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
Californians here are in doubt as to
whether San Francisco intends to make
fight 10 secure the National Democratic
Convention. Nothing has been heard from
the committee appointed as to whether they
will be here. Most Of tire other cities have
made arrangements. Representative By
mum this morning secured rooms for the In-
dianapOlts delegation. An advance guard
OF five leading citizens OF St Paul-Lewis
Baker, proprietor Of the Daily Globe Craw-
ford Livingston, j. r. McMuTran, NJ. ID.
Miller and E. Y. Smalley-haye arrived in
Washington to prepare the work for the
full delegation Of fifty that will be here on
the Dist inst, to plead the claim of that en-
terpIlslDg city for the convention.
ST. PAUL's EFFORTS.
At the Arlington last evening Mr.. Smalley
said; Oar citizens have voted a tax of
mills in order to build a grand auditorium
capable OF holding the convention, and
fund OF $4,000 has been raised as a guaran-
tee OF our Willingness and ability to prop
erly care for the delegates think no city
in the country can offer stronger induce
mentS than st. Paul. Milwaukee is a for
midable rival, but the rivalry with that city
will be goOd-natured. Chicago is not after
the convention, nor is ST. Louis making
efforts TO capture it. Kansas City is huSt-
ling somewhat, and Omaha may conclude to
enter. | don't know what the intention Of
the Gothamtes may be, but | have heard
that the friends of Hill will endeavor to get
the convention held in New York, and that
this would also be acceptable to Mr.. Cor
man."
THE SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
The Navy Department is informed that
the United States steamship Chicago, Ad-
mral Walkers flagship, arrived at M0ute-
vlde0 this morning. The other vessels of
his squadron and the Atlanta ana Benning-
ton were last reported at Bahia. They are
expected to join the Chicago at MOntevdeo
The future movements Of these vessels VIII
be governed entirely by circumstances.
Ihey are ordered to proceed to MOntevideO
and await further orders. In case of neces-
sity they will be ordered to Chile, but un-
less such necessity arises they will remain
on duty In the South Atlantic.
THE CIRCUIT JUDGEsHIP.
Judge Speneer's chances to secure the
United States Circuit Judgeship have dimin-
ished somewhat during the last few days.
Considerable opposition 10 him has deYel-
Oped, and the result is now in doubt. Me
Kenna is in no sense candidate for this
appointment, but the President entertans
high opinion of his ability, and it IS said
that If he finds that he will be unable TO APP
point Spencer the honor might fall upon
Mckenna,
BLAND's SILVER BILL.
The bill introduced by Bland of Missouri,
Chairman of the House Coinage Committee,
to-day for the free coinage Of silver pro-
vides that the unit Of value shall be dol
lar Of 412h grains of standard silver, or 25B
grains of Standard gold. Any holder OF
gold or silver bullion Of the value of
500 or more. of standard fneness shall be