The herald., 1894-08-16
THE TARIFF SITUATION.
No Encouragement for the
Popgun Bills.
The Senate Not Disposed to
Pass Them.
Five Hours Debate Devoted to
Free Sugar.
Senator Vest Turns On the Caicium
Light-CIsvslsnd Will Not vsts
the Senate Tariff
Bill.

By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15-TEe events ei
the day did not make clearer the proba-
BILE result on the part OF the senate to
follow the lead of the house in trying to
secure the passage of the supplemental
tariff bills. Senator Hills example to
amend by repeating the income tax was
followed today by Senator Quay with
amendments which included the entire
Mckinley law. Others Of like nature
will follow. The conservatives will try
to prevent senators from the western
states from voting free sugar by amend
ing the bill no - to provide for free lead
ore. It is thought the resort to these
tactics for few days will convince sll
OF the inability at this latc day OF the
effort to pass the bills, end that it may
be abandoned.
1t is stated with positiveness by nom.
bers Of congress and others who stand
closest to the PRECEDENT that be will not
veto the tariff bill. They do not cay he
told them 80, but he talks in such way
as to make veto out Of the question.
They say the only doubt remaining 10
whether the bill will become law BY
the presidents signature or go into
effect by the expiration of the 10 days
without his signature. On this ques-
tion those best informed say there 10
nothing definite, the only positive point
in their judgment being that the bill
will not be vetoed.
Representative Pearson, chairman OF
the house committee on enrolled bills,
left the capitol at l p. m. for the White
House. carrying the tariff bill which he
put in the presidents possession.
The president has written Q personal
letter to Chairman Wilson on the out
come Of the tariff battle. It win not be
made public, nor would any reference
whatever to it have been allowed had
not some one of Wilson's friends mad
vertently disclosed the fact. The letter
was written Monday morning, % soon -
the president received bulletin faying
the bouse had determined to recede
from the disagreement and accept the
senate bill. The letter speaks feelingly
OF Wilson's devotion to tariff reform and
to his unselfsh sacrifice of his health
and strength to carry out the principles
of the party. 1t does not discuss the
tariff question, except in an indirect
way, expressing deep sympathy and re-
gret for the personal reverse met by
Wilson.
National Revenue missioner
Miller WAS at the capitol today seeing
Mr.. Wilson concerning what may be an
unfortunate complication in connec-
tion with the new revenue tax ON alco.
hol. In the senate an amendment was
inserted in the tariff bill. making alco.
hol free of tax when used in arts. in
medical prescriptions or like compounds.
Roughly estimated, said Miller, this
estimate would reduce the revenue
about IS. 900. 600 or SIC, 900, GOO annually.
The provision as to medicine would
exempt all bitters. 1t would be necss-
sary merely to put little bitters or
a dash of Jamaica ginger in barrel OF
whisky, to let it escape all revenue
taxes.
Chairman Wilson has been commits
siened by the ways and means commit
tee to overcome the trouble. His bill
will be given special rule to bring 1t to
speedy reading, snd it is expected the
change will be made without trouble SO
far as the house 10 concerned.