The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-06


WASHINGTON, D. G.. Dec. 5.-It had
been supposed that the tariff question
would be allowed to rest in the senate
until the Wilson bill should be passed
by the house of representatives and re-
ported to tho senate in the regular or
der Of business. Mr.. Voorhees,, as chair
man Of the committee, at the meeting
to-day brought up the subject and gave
it as his opinion that the condition Of
the business interests Of the country is
such that the committee should use all
the expedition possible in the consid.
Grafton OF the question, SO as to be able
to report to the senate on the bill at the
earliest possible day after the bill comes
over, TO the end that it may soon be re-
ported to the senate and passed upon
by that body at the earliest practicable
time. He suggested that with the view
Of accomplishing this purpose the MEM
bers Of the majority OF the committee
should begin forthwith to hold daily
meetings. There was no opposition to
this Course.
The Republican members asked
whether persons interested in changes
in the tariff, whether for or against,
would be given an opportunity to be
heard. In reply to this query the Re-
publican members were assured that
whenever there was good reason for
granting hearing it would be given; /;
that while the committee desired to get
the bill out Of the way in the interest OF
business as soon as possible, no interest
should be denied hearing when there
we're evidently good grounds for the
request,
tits understood that the Republican
members themselves coincided in the
opinion that it would be best to have
the bill reported as soon as 1t can be
without passing lightly over any OF the
material portions.
The Wilson bill will be used as the
basis OF the committees Investigations
as a matter Of course, and the general
trend OF opinion expressed by Demo.
cratic members indicate Us far as they
have expressed themselves at this time
that it will be quite clearly followed by
the committee.
The chairman also appointed new
subcommittee on tariff, consisting ot
Senators Jones, OF Arkansas, Vest and
Mcpherson, Democrats, and Atdrtch
and Allison, Republicans. The inves-
tigation at present proposed will not be
conducted by this subcommittee, how
ever, but by the Democratic members
Of the entire committee as a party or
ganization.
IN DOUBT.
The decision OF the ways and means
committee not to take up the tariff bill
in committee until Monday leaves the
time of its being reported to the house
in great doubt. When the committee
takes it up next Monday there will be
a general DISCUSSION Of its provisions,
and the Republicans may decide to
offer amendments. The Democrats OF
the committee have been consulting,
and while no agreement has been
reached there seems to be tacit under.
standing that the bill, even il reported
by the holidays, will not be called for
consideration for some time after the
holiday recess. Tho Republicans con-
slider they have won victory in secur.
ing time to consider the bill. They
have been furnished with all the tables
and comparisons with the Mckinley
law, and will probably have several
meetings between now and Monday to
consider what action they will take.
Many members OF the house, includ'
ing all the members OF the ways and
means committee. received duplicates
OF the following telegram this morning;
"CHIcAao, Dec 8, 1893
"Co7oTts,man AReIl DtrborrotV, Washington:
Proposed internal revenue tax on
playing cards is more than stationary
business can stand. One cent per pack
would net more income than II made
ten At ten cents the consumption will
be reduced ninety per cent.
lsignedI "F. NJ. BLUNT"
The committee has made compar'
isons and estimates which show that
the deficiencies created by the Wilson
bill will be about $50, 900. 900 year.
This is in addition to the deficiency
now existing but the estimates are that
the differences in the revenues under
tho new bill each year will be S6O,OOO,-
900, and it is to make up this amount
that the committee will direct itself in
the preparation Of increases Of internal
revenue taxes. Between now and nexi
Monday the majority members Of the
committee will prepare a measure fol
making up the deficit,
Mr.. Dalzcll, Of Pennsylvania, mem
Dor Of the committee, raised a point to-
day which will be considered by the
committee. The new bill puts petro'
leum on the free list. The present Law
does not include petroleum, but it is
classed Rs distilled oil. In this particu
lar the new bill copies the present law,
Mr.. McMillin says that it was the in
tention OF the committee to place petro,
leum on the free list Mr.. Dalzell sayt
that II this 10 done It will break every
oil man in Pennsylvania.