Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-05

were ordered in the United States
fixed prices aud the duty Of Bermuda
was added on their arrival there.
Chairman Wilson drew out the fact
that although Bermuda had paid since
the passage OF the Mckinley law $780,
600 per year in tariff duties to the
United States against $50, 900 previous
TO that time, the value Of land had not
fallen In Bermuda. The land is held
by old residents, and little was on the
market. If there was forced sale, he
thought the reduction would show IT.
self Mr.. Wilson said that Bsrmu1a
was enabled TO settle the heavy bal
ances of trade against her because the
British government had lately expend'
ed great sums in fortifiCations; visitors
spent money in Bermuda, and money
derived by wealthy residents from for
eign investments, and all combined to
enable Bermuda TO settle the adverse
balances.
Mr.. Dalzell asked whether the Nc
Kinley bill kept the products OF Ber-
muda out Of the United States.
No" replied Mr.. Watson, shaking
his head. II am afraid We are obliged
70 send our. products at any sacrince.
The point where the United States suf-
fers is in decreased expectation to US.
We cannot buy so much"
Mr.. Watson, in conclusion, proceeded
with an argument, as he said, from the
data be had presented, but Chairman
Wilson stopped him, saying that the
committee would draw It's own concln-
sions. The committee then took re-
cess until ? o'clock.
+. L. GOodsell, New York importer
Of Almirlan grapes, or as they are COM
monty known, white or Malaga grapes,
appeared at 3 o'clock. Almiria is a
small shipping point on the Mediterra-
mean between Valentia and Malaga.
The duty before the enactment OF the
Mckinley bill was 20 per cent I'D
vslorem. II was changed by the
Mckinley law TO specinc
duty OF sixty cents per
barrel worth about S1.4o. Mr.. Good
sell argued for reduction OF the duty
10 a specific duty OF 25 cents per barrel,
claiming that an ad valOrem duty was
imDracticable inasmuch as the grapes
we're shipped on the account OF the
grower 20 bring what they could In the
market. Mr.. GoOdsell claimed that
when the Mckinley bill was enacted,
representatives Of this interest were not
Invited TO appear before the Ways and
Means Committee.
"If the duty we're reduced from forty
60 twenty-five cents" said Mr.. Payne,
'pt would amount 20 half OF a cent
pound and would such reduction re-
duce the selling price"
"I think the committee Is as capable
OF judging OF that as l." replied Mr..
Go0dsell amid laughter. In answer 10
an iuQuiry Mr.. Goodsell explained that
the grapes were sold at public auction
in NV York for the account OF the
grower and after the freight aud duty
charges had been deducted the balance
was remitted 10 the grower.
Mr.. Dalzell-Then the grower pays
the tariff tax?
Most sSsuredly, but va collect it
doubly from the American consumer In
the selling price"
Mr.. GOodsell said he did not advocate
placing these grapes on the free list, es
be believed these importations shonld
pay d fair and equitable tribute to this
country.
Mr.. Payne asked, whether coming as
an importer, he did not come before the
committee Ia his own interest.
Certainly" replied Mr.. Goodsell, sit
is not a pro bono publtco matter with
me. l come here from purely selfish
motives for myself and the Spanish
grower"
The committee adjourned until to-
morrow morning when R. W. Leslie
will be heard on the subject OF cement,
and Joseph Newman on silk culture.