The record-union., 1893-11-28

read an abstract of the measure, and had
only glanced through Wilson's review OF
it. He said the bin proposed very sweep
ing reductions in the existing tariffs. 1t
was sucn measure as he had expected,
yet little more sweeping than he had
anticipated. 1t was, however, in line
with the expressed determination Of the
Democracy to ignore the business inter
ests and the working people of the coun-
try. The Objectionable feature Of the bill
was the substitution of ad valorem for
specific duties. This alone ought to de-
feat the entire measure. The ad valorem
system, he said, rests upon the for
eign valuation, which is hard 10
determine, and it puts a premium upon
under-valuation frauds. All the leading
nations of the world had abandoned the
ad yalorem system, for the reason that
the valuation Is made thousands Of miles
from the port OF entry, and can never be
depended upon. He quoted the late Sec
retary Manning as having said that false
invoices, under-valuation and like dis
honesty are inherent IN the ad valOrem
system, and was certain that such frauds
would become more prevalent under 1t.
He also quoted Henry Clay as saying ii he
could fix the value he did not care what
the ad valorem duty was. Mckinley said
the new bill would not pass the protection
wing of the Democratic party, but he
would not venture prediction as to its
chance Of passing the House.
TEE BILL CRITICISED BY REPUBLICANS.
BosToN. Nov. 27.-Republicans as a
rule are disposed to criticise the tariff
bill, while Democrats look upon the
work of the Ways and Means Committee
with favor. Ex-Governor Ames attacks
it in unmeasured terms lie says: "If
it is not hacked to pieces in the House
and so changed that its originators cam
not recognize it, then the Senate will
stand up like a stone wall against further
progress. Democratic protectionists will
fight against its passage as well as the
Republicans"
President Whitney of the Dominion
Coal Company, said: at is going TO be
a help to us and to New England on gen
eral principles. It Will exert a favorable
effect.''
Iron men generally do not think the
proposed changes will affect them in the
least.
Coal dealers are of the opinion that the
removal of the duty on coal will be very
beneficial.
The sugar men are not so cheerful.
They say if the bill is passed as reported
it Will ruin some of them.
EX-sPEAKER REEDS VIEWS.
WAsHINGTON, Nov. 27.-Ex-Speaker
Tom Reed of the Ways and Means Com
mittee said tonight: ''Of course, it is
very easy for the gentlemen who prepared
the bill to give their views, since they
have been busily engaged in the work for
number OF weeks, while the first the
minority had of the bill was at II o'clock
to-day. The Southern Democracy have
taken the lions share of the committee.
They have done this for purpose,
for while the Northern Democrats are
represented upon the committee. they are
represented in such way that the South
holds a strange and very unfortunate pre-
domination. AS their industrial status
is very much different to the average OF
the whole country, it necessarily follows,
and absolutely, in fact, has followed that
the bin is about as bad as could be rea
sonably imagined. This may not be true
with regard to every item, but it is GER
tainly true with regard to the most i'm
portant matters in the bill"