Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-05-24


are making little progress with their
bill in the senate, and they do not
see how they are to expedite matters.
The attempt of Senator Harris to force
the senate to meet at 10 o'clock has
been abandoned. The democrats have
discovered that it will not be possible
to adopt the necessary resolution to
secure the additional hour Besides,
there are many democrats who are of
the opinion that seven hours cOntinu-
Gus service in the heat Of the senate
chamber, which is certain to soon be-
come unbearable, is quite enough for
the human constitution. The demo
cratic managers have already discov-
cred that they are no match for the
republicans, either in parliamentary
tactics or in skill in debate They
have adopted the policy of refusing to
furnish any information as to the
proposed amendment, or to the aban
dOnment of the fundamental princi-
pies of the tariff reform policy The
position is one which is very embar-
RAISING to the democratic leaders, and
bad light before the country.
The discussion upon the bill has
proceeded far enough to show that it
will be the republican policy, except as
TO the sugar schedule, to vote for all
amendments that afford more protec-
ton than the Wilson bill, either by in
creased ad valorem duties or by
changing al yalorem to specific duties.
1t is now the evident purpose of tie
republicans to scrutiniZe every line of
the bill.
At the rate of progress made it is
estimated that from four to six weeks
will be occupied in discussing the para
graphs and amendments in the bill.
The charge of filibustering cannot be
entered Il ainst such Il plan. 1t is alb
Solutely necessary in the light of the
fact that the democrats prevented an
intelligent discussion of the bill in
committee refused hearings, failed to
make a report of the bill, and have
delayed the printing of answers re
ceived in response to Chairman VOOr-
hees' letters of inquiry to manufacture
erS and merchants throughout the
country
1t is significant that all protection
senators are daily receiving letters
from their constituents demanding that
they use every effort to defeat the
pending bill or postpone action upon
any tariff measure until next congress.
There are no letters being received by
them asking for the passage of the bill.
The republican senators have held no
conference and have formed no COM
mon plan since the tariff bill was re
ported.
The proceedings on the items of the
bill seem to have made it clear that
two of the pOpulists, Kyle and Allen,
can be counted on to vote with the
democrats. Allen votes with them,
while Kyle is paired with a republi-
can. PETER is an uncertain quantity.
On some propositions he has voted
with the democrats, While on others
he has voted with the republicans.
This is Indicative of his uncertain pO-
sition on the bill.
The New York democratic and mug
wump committee which has been here
endcavoring to perfect the wooden
schedule has left Washington, aud APP
pears TO have abandoned its effort.
These gentlemen presented to the
democratic managers of the bill what
they are pleased to call an ultima
tum, but an ultimatum that has an
alternative to it. 1t consist of a re-
quest or demand and a threat. The
democratic wooden committee of New
York has made no threat 1t has sim
ply requested which it chooses to call
an ultimatum. The request is that the
duty on wooden clothing shall be re
duced to so per cent. ad valorem.
They have abandoned any effort to
obtain the compound duties, because
those who have the bill in charge in
sist that neither specific rates mol
compound duties will for moment be
considered in connection with the
wooden schedule. This New York
democratic and mugwump committee
has left heaping maledictions upon thu
head of one Jacob Schoenhof, assistan
appraiser in New York. This is, per
hans. politics on the part of this demo
cratic committee of wooden manu-
facturers who do not have quite tn
courage to denounce those who are pr
marily responsible for the sacrifice Q
the industries contemplated by TIL
bill. They appear to assume tina
creature is greater and that Jaco
Schoenhof is framing the tariff bill.
The cotton manufacturers who hav
been congratuIating themselves thu
the schedule which has been propose
as one of the new amendments to th
tariff bill would not injure their il
dustry will be disappointed to kno
that the senate compromlSArs tav
discovered in some instances the
have made the rates in this ScheGu
higher than those in The McKirle
hill and that it is their announce
nurnose to reduce them. How mC(
they intend to reduce them toes
annear The new classiic alton, ~
ever is not to be altered. The pos
biIity however. is that the change
the cotton schedule will be Snen TT
it will be eceedingly unpleasant
the cotton manufacturers, who M
find it necessary to return to " rs
ington and do their wo * all 0y
again.
The exports Of gold are giving
treasury officials much concern. TIC
who supposed that the repeal Of I
n;J,-or Y,11rcha Sjnp law xua1ri5 caJ