Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-08
WILSON TARIFF BILL.
Iron Ore and Coal 10 Be Placed On
The Free List.
SPIRITS AND TOBACCO.
Incresss Of Tax on The Latter Not Yet
DsHnfteIy Propossd-Gsnsral
washssston Notes.
nrom Our Regular Correspondent,

Trom Our Regular Correspondent,
WASHINGTON. ID. c., october lit
seems TO be the general understanding
about the Capitol that the forthcoming
tariff bill viii include reduction OF the
existing duty on iron ore and coal. and
many people are OF the opinion that both
articles wil be placed on the free list
in spite Of the protests made by inter-
s.ded parties in all portions OF tSe
country In which iron and coal are pro-
duced. Virginia and West Virginia, so
far as owners OF mines are concerned,
Will feel the proposed reduction. and
some vigorous protests have been en-
tered by West Virginia people; but they
have had apparently no effect on Chair-
man Wilson. OF the Ways and Means
committee. He and most OF the gentle
men who are engaged with him IN the
preparation OF the bill. hold that while
considerable number OF people are OPP
posed to a reduction in the duties, the
masses in all the States will reap bene-
1T when coal and iron are put on the free
list.
POSITION OF NEW ENGLAND.
The heaviest demand for departure OF
this kind comes from the New England
manufacturers. During the Fifty-hrst
Congress Mr.. Hale, of Maine, presenter
I'm the Senate most formidable petition
from New England manufacturers-more
than five hundred Of the leading nrms-de-
manding that iron ore. coal, and one or
two other articles be made free OF duty.
The petition was printed in beautlfui
STYLE, and the signers also asked that the
duty on pig iron. scrap iron. etc, be re-
duced. Mr.. Hale presented the same
without comment, but at the time 1t was
regarded as a most significant move on
the part of firms realizing that they
could not compete with other sections
OF the country unless their raw material
was allowed TO come in free OF duty.
VIRGINIA'S FIGHT IN 81.
During the Fiftieth Congress, when the
Democrats were engaged in an EFFORT 70
pass what was known as the NILS tarlit
bill. some lively talks were made In the
caucuses of the Democratic party. 1t Is
well known 10 many persons who kept
q close watch upon the events of that
Congress. that some of the Virginia men,
bors fought in the caucuses the PROPOSE
ton 10 place coal and iron on the free
liet unless n corresponding reduction was
made on the manufactured articles or
View England and the Middle States The
Nirginians did not propose that products
e their state should be Disseminated
oeainst unless they could have some bene-
a;s by reducing duties on goods made
D.. other sections: and this time the same
~,lc will be applied, and there IS every
-..,son TO expect that they will get what
thoy ask, but they will have to submit
10 the placing Of coal and iron on the
free list i'm oil probability.
NORTH CAROLINA WISHES.
II is also safe to say that lumber will
lo placed on the free list. At one time in
the years gone by. there was protest
hoard in North Carolina, but it cannot
be learned that North Carolina Is now
obiecting to the proposition. The fact
Of the matter ia that while North Carolina
has some Of the finest lumber in the world,
the exports 10 foreign countries are be-
coming so large from the old State that
her people are perfectly willing to let
Congress do anything it pleases with
lumber.
Some years ago n demand was made by
--1rth Carolina Republicans that mica be
willy protected. inasmuch as there are
.,a deposits OF mica in the State, but
talk Of that sort is heard here now.
TOBACCO TAX INCREASE.
nc internal revenue and sugar ques-
i i are still worrying Mr. Wilson and
> p associates on the committee. anu
lille II is probable that they Will be
ompellcd to recommend an increase in
D. tax on beer and spirits, none are so
Old vet az 10 advocate any Increase
{ the tobacco tax At least, the direct
proposition has not been made In the
committee, according TO what one or
he members told the Dispatch cores
DCndent Yesterday Tariff refOrmers OF
lie Watterson school would like to in
crease the tobacco tax, and II they
fought they could accomplish the thing
.ley would go ahead, but they know
Icy would raise q storm among the
members from the States in which the
staple is produced. They would have TO
sht MIR. Wise pretty hard. ana as 10
Mr.. Swanson. why the proudest thing
he has 20 think of during his leisure
moments here in Washington, is that he
represents In part the great bright-to-
baccco belt of the Union. He fairly
curled on that theme when he made his
recent speech on the financial question,
and he looks upon the people down in
the Danville district as the noblest he
knows, and says that they have interests
that not only add TO the wealth OF the ma
ton but they cannot and Will not
stand any higher taxation on their chief
product. Then there are Farmer Edmunds
and others in the Virginia delegation who
think and feel the same way, and the
Watterson tariff reformers Will have TO
stick to the other schedules and let to-
bacco alone or else meet with lively
opposition when the bill Is finally pre-
pared.
LOOK OUT FOR THE UNEXPECTED.
The Congressman who think that really
the present tobacco tax ought TO be aboi-
ished, will be reasonable in this contest,
and they are perfectly willing TO let mat
ters stand, but they cannot afford to be
crowded. and 1t is pleasant to know that
the proposition advocated by some Of the
ultra men Is not yet seriously consd-
cred. but there Is no telling what may
happen, and that is why the Virginia
and North Carolina members will keep
n close watch on the bill as 1t IS being
prepared.
Mr.. Henderson, Of North Carolina, has
several important bills pending TO regu-
late the internal revenue and to remove
some Of the hardships that are COM
planned of both In his State and In Vir-
glnia. He expects to press his bills. but
II IL doubtful II they will be acted on
until late next spring.
THOSE POSTMASTERSHIPS.
Members OF the Virginia delegation,
while not yet having had any positive
declaration from the President, are In
clined TO think that he will soon begin
10 make more changes in the larger
postmasterships in the State. The Pres
ident has been so busy for the past week.
that he has not had an opportunity to
dispose Of the question.