The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-07
Democrats Mean to Rush the
Bill Through the Senate.
THEY CAN'T SPARE ANY TIME.
voorhees, Saws Business Interests Will
Suffer If There Is Delay.
Wooi-Growers In vaia Ask 20 Re Heard
Zeal and Sugar to Go on Free Lass
kepasiicsns Protest. Against sh.
Breach Of Faith in Cutting OF fna airy

"AsHINeTcS CRY, Feb. 6-The Demo-
cratic members of the senate committee
on finance have decided TO grant no hear
ings on the tariff bill.
voorhees, statement on behalf of the
Democratic members Of tie senate finance
COMMITTEES as 20 reasons for refusing hear
iags on the Wilson bill sets forth that:
Prompt and speedy action on the pead-
Ing tariH legislation is required as this
time oy every patriotic and business con-
ss1eration. The majority Of the commit
tee intend that no de ay shalt occur which
II Is possible 10 avoid. We are determined
thas the business men of the country. of
ast Glasses, shall At a very early day have a
mn ana clear insight into the laws of
taFin taxation which shall hereafter pre-
van. The privilege of the hearing would
oe unlimited ~ 20 time, and become au in
ssramens OF delay more formidable than
hilousteying. II one side were to be heard,
SO must the other side. Already mere
fnsn 100000 circulars, embracing inter.
rogaiories Of every branch of business
known IN the census of 1890. have been ad-
dressed To al industries. and abundant
streams OF information are pouriag in for
use IN the discussion in the senate. In
addition TO this nearly all the protected
manufacturers were heard before the CON-
mittee on ways and means of the house
The testimony there taken is in print aud
IN possession OF the senate The whole
subject IS very familiar TO the American
miid and needs no further calculation
than will be incidental 70 a full, free de-
bate. The country needs action"
The Democratic members Of the senate
finance COMMITTEES lost no time IN proceed
ing TO work upon the tariff bill after il was
decided not to grant hearings to Interested
parties. Jones of Arkansas, Mills and
Vest, comprising all the members Of the
subcommittee on the tariff except yoor-
hees, met today and took up the bill with
view 10 putting il IN shape at the earliest
practicable moment for submission. first
TO the Democratic members and afterward
TO the full committee. The meeting was
OF an exceedingly private character, and
the proceedings were not given out. Con-
siderable progress was made with the
work, owing largely to the fact that these
gentlemen had ali given much attention to
the bill and had conferred among them
selves to . sufficient extent to be IA
miliar with one another's views upon
the questions at issue. They have
determined to make q few con-
cessions on important articles. like
coal and sugar. A duty will bc placed
on these articles, but whether IL will be
specific or ad valorem in character has not
been determined. II q specific duty IL de-
cided upon in the case of sugar IL will
probably be cent . pound, and coal 80
cents or 81 ton.
No decision has been reached on the in
come tax. There are on the Democratic
side some strong advocates of striking ont
this part of the bill. but so many Demo-
cratic members are favorable to this tax
that il has become evident this change
will be difficult, IL not impossible, OF ac-
complishment. Jones of Arkansas is
urgent in advocacy Of an increased tax
upon beer. bus has not so far met with
great encouragement 1t the hands Of the
otter members of the committee.
The Republican members of the senate
finance committee, through Senator Aid
rich. give out the following statement in
reply TO that of the Democratic members.
The minority of the finance committee
are greatly surprised at the character of
the statement handed TO them and said TO
have been furnished the press by the ma
iority Of the committee. in regard TO the
refusal 10 give hearings on the tariff bill.
The Republican members, relying on as
surances given them by the chairman
during the session OF the committee. had
supposed hearing would be given rs a
matter OF course, and so informed ali par
ties desirous OF being heard. The matter
came up in committee this morning upon
a request for hearing made by members
in behalf of farmers and wool growers OF
the L nited States now present In Wash
inston City, and upon the re-
quest of other members In behalf
of certain cotton operatives of
Fall River and other parties. There was
no request on the part of the Republican
members for ex parte hearings. nor for
hearings for any special class. nor any dis
position for nor desire 90 secure such re-
suits. The minority believe all parties.
whether for or against the bill. interested
in the rates II xed by the house bill should
Re heard upon matters so vitality affecting
their interests. The right to be heard has
never before. so far as we are aware, been
denied TO The American people by the
finance committee OF the United States
senate and the minority Of the committee
part OF the majority in refusing TO give
should be resisted by all parliamentary
methods.
Senator Pettigrsw introduced an amend
ment today intended to DC offered by him
10 the Wilson tariff bill. providing for the
appointment of commission OF fve per-
sons to be known as the customs COM
mission. The duty OF the proposed com
mission shall be TO gather data concerning
tariff rates and their effect on industries
in this and other countries, and report
t5eir findings 20 congress