Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-29
NE CARING THE END.
The Great Tariff Debate Will Close
on Thursday.
PROGRAM FOR THE REMAINING TIME,
Republicans Will Not Help to Re-
commit the Bill.
1T WILL PROBABLY PASS.

Today witnessed the beginning of the
end of the tariff debate in the House. The
present program Is to close debate next
Thursday at o'clock. when, according to
the amended special order under which the
House is operating. the vote will be taken
on the pending amendments and the final
passage of the bill. The debate during this
week will relate entirely to the internal
revenue bill. which the democratic caucus
decided to place upon the tariff bill as a
rider. Today and Tuesday will be devoted
TO general debate and Wednesday to de-
bate under the five-minute rule. when the
Internal revenue features will be open TO
amendment. OF course the principal oppo-
sltion Will be directed against the income
tax, which is very bitterly opposed by the
eastern democrats. The republicans. how
ever. will not vote with the democratic cp-
ponents of the income tax, 1t is said, but
viii either refrain from voting or else. If
necessary to make a quorum vote for IT in
order to incorporate it in the bill. The at
tempt TO defeat ii. therefore, Is thought to
be hopeless When the bill is reported to
the House on Thursday three hours will be
allowed for closing the debate, one and a
haif hours on a side. Mr.. Reed will close
Tor the republicans. and Mr.. Wilson and
Speaker Crisp for the democrats. The in
ulcationS are that when the bill Is placed
upon its final passage it will have a fair
margin to carry it. During last week the
movement to recommit the bill looked for
rnidable, as at least fifty democrats tcount-
ing the anti-income taxers). including all
those dissatisfied with any portion of the
measure, We're counted upon to take this
Indirect method of compelling changes in
their interest.
A Plan That Has Been Abandoned.
With the republican support this plan
might have succeeded. But on Saturday
some of the republican leaders talked the
situation over and came to the conclusion
that IL would not be polite to join a fac
ton in the democratic ranks in order to
give the bill a backset. which might result
In its ultimate defeat They have Informal
ly decided. therefore. either to refrain from
voting or else to vote against the motion to
recommit. but they will vote with the oppo-
sition against the passage of the bill or for
a motion to strike out the enacting clause.
motions which will place the opponents Of
the bill fairly and squarely on record
against the entire measure. This decision,
II IT Is adhered to, In the opinion of the
democratic leaders. removes all doubt as
TO the final passage of the BILL as they be-
lieve that not more than thirty democrats
at the outside will carry their opposition TO
the extent of voting directly against the
bill II the republicans should poll their
whole strength Q2D this would only raise
the vote against the bill to 154, as, with the
income tax included, it is believed that the
bill will command the entire populi5t vote
(nine). The full vote for the bill therefore
could be 200. majority of a. 1t IS fair to
assume that the absentees will be drawn
proportionately from each side, so that,
from present Indications, the democratic
leaders claim a majority for the bin of
from thirty upward If by any change Of
program the republicans should decide to
vote in favor of the motion to recommit the
additional strength gained from the demo-
al hon nfxyl iUhf ,Ixy
endanger, II not defeat, the measure.
Changes In the Bill.
The bill has been considerably changed
during its consideration in the House, the
most important of course being the placing
of all sugars on the free list and abolish
ment of the bounty. The committee on
Saturday last succeeded in restoring its
original provision TO the time when the
wool schedule shall go into effect which
was changed by vote in committee of the
whole some time ago. The free wool sched-
ule goes into effect August 1, 1894. and
manufactured wool December 1. 1894.
AIong the more important changes af-
fected in the text Of the bill as reported
were the following: Increasing the duty
On all diamonds from 10 per cent to Is Ier
cent in the rough, 30 per cent cut and 35
per cent set Reducing the duty on pig
iron and manufactures of iron in sixteen
paragraphs per cent generally, and IN
creasing the duty on nails and screws 8
per cent. Changing the duty on sweet
chocolate from % per cent ad valorem to
cents a pound. Making the duty on con-
densed milk 2 cents pound, including the
weight Of the package. Putting plows
rakes. disc and tooth harrows, threshers,
cotton gins and harvesters on the free list
tover the committees objection). Taking
crude opium, containing per cent and over
OF morphine, from the free list and fixing
the duty at 81 pound. Increasing the
duty on morphine and morphia salts from
90 cents to 20 cents. Striking out the re-
ciprocal clause from the petroleum para
graph. Transferring currants from the free
list to the dutiabie list at 10 per cent ad