The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-11
HILL GIVES ADVICE.
Tells GOtham's Business Men to Bonn
bard Senator'S with Circulars.


bard Senator's with Circulars.
NEW YORK, March 1O-A number of
gentlemen identified with the woolen and
dry-goods business in this city called on
Senator David b. Hill. at the Hotel New
Netherlands, Fifty-ninth street and Fifth
avenue, to-day. Among those present were
James II. Dunham, Z. NJ. Townsend j. r.
Quimby, w. f. Greenough, j. L. Wooster.
Theodore Freelinghuysen, Arthur Barn
well, Z. II. Sampson, Walter Stanton
Charles E. Rycroft and NJ. w. Benjamin
The conference lasted fully an hour, and
the Wilson tariff bill was the only topic
discussed.
Now, gentlemen" said Mr.. Hill as soon
all We're seated in parlor on the main
floor, II suppose you have come to speak
to me about the tariff, and 1 am ready to
hear anything you may have to say"
One of the visitors said: well, we all OBJ
ject to the income tax part of it,
"Oh, / realized long ago." replied Senator
Hill, that the business men Of New York
State are opposed to any income tax. The
Representatives from the South and ex-
treme West seem TO be in favor OF 1t, but
L don't think their arguments are sound or
can be defended. have hoped that we Will
be able to induce Congress not TO pass It,
but cannot predict
The income tax matter was then dropped
duties was taken up. Some of the business
men pointed out where ad valorem duties
opened up a channel for dishonesty by In
voicing goods at a lower price and by
faulty appraisement. Mr.. Hill said = In my
opinion the way matters look now the ad
yalorem tariff has been run to the ground.
The bin when it is reported to the full Sem
ate will be discussed for probably six weeks
and at the present time L have got nothing
to suggest to the business men, but before
the discussion is commenced l Will have
something to say. l am in favor of a
tariff high enough to enable American man
ufacturers to compete with foreigners as
far as the difference in wages Is concerned.
The business interests of this country re-
Quire that the matter should be settled as
quickly as possible, and l assure you L will
facilitate it's being disposed of at the earliest
possible moment. OF course there are differ
enceS of opinion between business men on
the tariff question, and you cannot blame
Senator'S if they have different opinions on
the question too"
egation of New York business men went
to Washington and gave their views on the
different parts of the proposed bill it would
have any effect. In reply the New York
Senator said: II wish the Senate committee
had allowed gentlemen who understood the
business questions at issue to be examined
before them instead of listening to Sena-
tors. l would suggest TO you to let the
representatives of the various interests set
together and formulate their objections in
a general way TO any point in the Wilson
bill. Let these be stated briefly in a circu-
lar with suggestions of the desired changes,
Coming from New York business men,
these suggestions will certainly have great
weight"
This ended the conference and the busi-
ness men went away, each wondering
whether the Senator in anything he had
said had given any clew to his position In
reference to the Wilson bill. When the
business men went away Lieut. Gov. w. F.
Sheehan came into the room and was clos
eted with the Senator for a long time. II
was thought that the Troy election trouble
was the topic Of their conversation, but
both gentlemen kept their business to them
selves.