The morning call., 1893-12-16
HAVE A HARD JOB
Democrats at Sea Upon
the Tariff.
CALIFORNIANS WORK HARD.
Efforts to Save the Industries OF
the State.
CALIFORNIANS WORK HARD
CAN DO LITTLE OR NOTHING.
The Leaders Determined to Cut, AL
though Where to Cut They
Do Not Know.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Congressman
Hilburn appeared before the Ways and
Means Committee this morning and pre-
scented a telegram from the East Oakland
Cotton mills, saying that the Wilson tariff
on bags and burlaps will close down the
mills or reduce wages one-fouTth.
The CaliforniaDs are doing their best to
preserve California interests from the de-
structive effects that the Wilson bill will
cause, but they are working almost against
hope, as the Ways and Means Committee
evidently has its mind made up, and it
seems that no amount of argument, per-
suasiOn or any sort of influence brought to
bear affects it in the least. William 3.
Buck minister, who is here as the
representative of the quicksilver inter-
ests OF California, has appeared before the
committee twice and made arguments
showing conclusively that unless at least
10 cents per pound duty, the existing rate.
is imposed on their product the mines in
Napa and Lake counties and elsewhere in
California must close down. throwing over
500 men out Of employment. or else so
reducing their wages that they must seek
other employment, thereby splaclng just
so many men engaged in other pursuits.
Mr.. Buckminster justly regards the quick
silver interests as entitled to at least some
protection, in that the California mines
produce most of the quicksilver OF the
world. with the exception Of those in Spain
and Austria. The California quicksilver
mine owners pay their employees rs per
cent of the total cost of producing this
commodity, and the wages are four times
greater than are paid abroad. Mr.. Buck
minister is very much discouraged at the
prospect. and believes that the only hope
for the interest he represents is that the
Senate will refuse 10 pass the bill, which
is sure to pass the House.
The reduction of the duty on prunes
will be disastrous to the producers of that
fruit in California. The Wilson bill pro-
poses to change the present duty of cents
to an ad val0rem duty of 20 per cent.
con siderable, if not the greater proportion
of all the pruDes produced In the United
States are raised in the district represented
by Congressman Loud OF California he
is apparently making slngle-handed light
against the destruction of this great INDUS
try, as those particularly concerned are Lot
aware OF the danger that threatens them,
or else entertain no hope that efforts put
forth by themselves or any one else would
save them from the inevita BILE. for they do
own behalf.
The Californians who are WORKING -
scrap iron on the free list are disc disc
aged at theprospect before them. l
Representative Cooper Of Florida. wSo
has seemed disinclined to stshd in with
the CaliforDians in their efforts IT, retain
or increase the duty on orapges, has sud-
denly discovered that the duty of cents
mar on bit. font ia in the nature nf a rednc.
ton that will seriously affect orange
growers and so has concluded to do what
he can. Representative Bowers also says
this is true.
There is an immense amount of dissatis-
faction expressed by Congressman OF both
political parties who have special interests
to protect. The Democratic majority feels
that unless the Wilson tariff bill IS passed
the people will hold them responsible for
violating pledge too often made, yet on
the other hand they realize that thousands
of wage-earners will hold them severely TO
account for bringing poverty and desola-
ton to their homes. The California Dem
ocratic representatives in Congress realize
that widespread dissatisfaction will greet
them upon their return to their constitu-
ents, but they must take their medicine.
while the Democrats in general are be-
tween the devil and the deep sea.
Chairman Holman of the Democratic
caucus said this afternoon II was probable
tina. the caucus on the tariff bill would nc.
be held until after the holiday recess.
Many members are going out of town. and
there would not be a full attendance until
the reassemblipg In January. General
Wheeler has secured several additional
names to his request for a call