St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-21
VIEWS OF A REPUBLICAN.
Tawney on the Prospect for Tariff
Revision.

Congressman Tawney, of Winona, was
seen at the Merchants yesterday. He
is pretty well recovered from the at
tack of malaria which drove him home
from Washington early in October. and
will start for the national capital Dec
to be present at the regular session of
congress.
II doubt very much that the Demo-
cratic side" said Mr.. Tawney in reply
to query, Twill be able to put the tariff
bill through, if it is prepared on the line
of the Chicago platform. The Demo
cratic representatives from many of the
Northern districts have constituencies
that will be more or less directly af-
fected by the proposed reductions of
duties. These members will be just as
Jealous in their opposition to reductions
on articles made by their Democratic
constituents as tie Republicans who
believe in the principle of protection.
Before [ left Washington many of the
Democratic representatives were be-
ginning to lay wires to prevent reduc-
tions on articles manufactured in their
districts.
~,
to me that the Democrats, in the house
at least, will not be able to have caucus
agreement for the passage of the pro-
posed tariff bill.
Il see reported in the papers news
from Washington to the effect that the
proposed bill will place on the free list
wool, iron, salt, lumber, bagging and
one or two other articles. The Item of
wool will provoke great deal of oppo-
sition among Democratic members, par
ticularly those from the Sou tn. How
ever, it is my judgment that they will
succeed in putting wool on the free list.
The house of the Fifty-second congress
voted for free wool, and it IS quite likely
that free wool will carry again.
whether they can succeed in put
ting iron on the free list is more of
problem, and might depend somewhat
on whether they propose to put the
product of the mines or manufactured
iron on the list. If it be the latter, /
doubt that they will succeed. However,
the question of iron has never been
tested by vote, and the standing of the
Democrats on the question cannot be
estimated reliably.
II do not know enough about the salt
problem to speak upon it, but know a
little of the lumber question. The Nc
kinley bill reduced the tariff on lumber
81 thousand feet. The lumbermen of
the Northwest soon after the Mckinley
bill became a law, met and raised the
price of lumber 81 thousand feet. This
shows pretty clearly that the lumber
men of this section of America are not
in need of much protection. l am told, !
however, that the Michigan lumbermen
have to compete with the Canadian prod
uct, hence feel the need of protection. But
lumber will probably go on the free list.
II do not think the Democratic side
Will be able to pass repeal of the 10
per cent tax on private bank issues of
notes. l believe there is too much good
sense among the Northern Democratic
members 10 admit of such an unwise
measure. They will no doubt try to
pass repeal bill. but l do not believe
they can do it. At present it is doubtful
if they can get the bill out of the com
mittee OH banking and currency. Both
sides claim to have majority in the
committee, apd it may turn out that the
opposition 10 the repeal has the major