The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-07
NEW MEASURE PREPARED
Senators Have q Bill Radically
Different from Wilson's.
No Income Taxes to Be Levied, Duties
to Be Put on Sugar, Tea and Coffee and
Concessions Made to Distillers.

this morning agreed that there should be
no hearings given to persons interested in
the specific features of the Wilson tariff
bill, and that the measure should be re-
ported back to the Senate without delay
After the above agreement became known
1t was learned that this majority of the
committee have had for some days pre-
pared a tariff bill of their own. While the
House has been at work on the Wilson bill
the Democratic members of the Senate
finance committee have been closeted in
dark chamber at the Capitol at work on
the tariff measure They took for their
basis the Wilson bill, and have in reality
had their work completed some days. The
Senate bill is guarded with great care, and
those who have assisted in preparing it re-
fuse to discuss it's contents. 1t will be
known as the Senate bill, although it is
quite similar in general features to the
Wilson measure.
There were various rumors in circulation
at the Capitol this afternoon as to the
features Of the Senate bill and the pro-
gramme of the majority of the Senate when
this measure is brought forward. 1t was
stated in Democratic quarters that the in
come tax feature of the Wilson bill had
been cordially indorsed by the majority of
the finance committee but that it would be
made to stand on its individual merits, and
would likely be presented a separate
measure, although reported and considered
"a the same time and kept in the front line
with 1T.
1t is stated that the Senate bill places
duty-probably L cent per pound-on raw
sugar, but gives no bounty to the domestic
product and places no extra or distinguish
ing duty on refined sugar; that it takes
coal and iron ore from the free list and
makes them pay duty; that coffee and tea
and many other articles OF necessity in
home consumption are made to pay duties.
There has been something done with whisky
In the direction of an extension Of the bond
ed period and an increase of the tax, but
just what it is cannot be learned. This ac-
counts for the rise in Whisky Trust stock
and also in Sugar Trust stock, as the IN
tentions of the finance committee respecting
action on these two articles have been
hawked about in Wall street for some
weeks for speculative purposes; but it is
stated that the spectators have refused to
pay the prices demanded for the 'inside
information"
The Senate bill is said to be purely a
revenue measure" and while it places
many articles on the dutiable list which
are made free in the Wilson bill, it really
affords no more protection than is given in
that measure to American industries. 1t Is
the intention of the Senate bill to raise
sufficient revenues TO run the government
without income tax, so that it will not
be absolutely necessary to adopt that por-
ton of the Wilson bill, although every
Democratic member of the finance commit
tee, with the exception Of Mcpherson, of
New Jersey, is ardenty in favor of income
taxes, and with Mills, of Texas, acting in
McPherson's place. every Democrat on the
committee has indorsed the income tax
scheme.
Senator voorhees, has, according to re-
liable reports brought to the Journal cor
resuondent made no effort to protect any
Indiana industry unless 1t is the dis
tuleries There is in the Senate tariff bill
no increase in the glass and iron duties
no increase in the protection TO any manu-
featured goods or the product of the farm
but the farmer and laboring man is to be
made to pay duties on tea, coffee and other
necessaries of life, which cannot be pro-
duced in this country. The bill is an anti
Indiana measure throughout
STATEMENT FROM VOORHEES,.
This evening Senator voorhees,, on behalf
of the Democratic members Of the finance
committee. made the following statement
regarding lIlelI dStAO'i III ANA4S ~ SAN--N
'" Prompt and speedy action on pending
tariff legislation is required at this time
by every patriotic and business considera-
tion The majority of the finance commit
tee charged with the responsibility of the
pending measure, intend that no delay
we are determined that the business men
of the country of all classes shall at 4
very eary ytb day s nave @ aar lS ANA en Which,
shall hereafter prevail. A claim, however,
is now made that whoever may wish TO
do so must be allowed to come before the
finance committee and make speeches in
regard to each and every particular inter-
est affected by the tariff. This claim is
without limit as TO numbers. and If grant
ed TO one person it must be granted to all.
One Senator alone asks five hundred to be
heard from his State. 1t is also unlimited
as to time, and becomes, therefore, in the
hands of the opponents OF tariff re-
duration and far more formidable and in
efficient than the worst form of flibuster-
ing on the floor of the Senate. But if these
hearings, as they are called, are a matter
| of right and cannot be denied by the COM
mittee. why should they be merely ex parte
| In their character?
six months, as boasted in certain quarters
| we will be compelled to do why should the
| lection, for gains and profits by legisa-
ton alone be heard? II seems to us that
the consumers of tariff taxed goods, the
| farmer. the toiling millions throughout the
whole land have the highest right of all TO
| be heard in their necessary self-defense
| against injustice and opposition. II the
cause Of privilege, protection and financial
greed are 10 invade our committee room,
| to be heard during the coming spring and
| summer, then by every principle of justice
| and right the cause Of the victim, the toll
| ing consumer. must also be amply and full
! ly heard The truth is that legislation was
| never accomplished by such methods and
| never will be under our form OF govern
ment The people are heard through their
| representatives in Congress. and a mo-
] ments reelection will show how ample and
sufficient such hearings always have been
| and always will continue to be. For in
| stance, why should the business of the
| country be left in doubt weeks and months
| while the manufacturers OF a certain
| State are talking TO committee, when in
point of fact, a Senator from the same
! State, a manufacturer himself could be
! discussing the same questions far more
lntelllgently and ably on the floor of the
/ Senate
''It is all idle pretense that any right is
| denied To anybody by the course the
committee has determined to take. We
| will report our bill TO the Senate without