Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-06
THE TARIFF BILL
No Hearings to Be Held by the Sen
ate Finance Committee.
SENATOR VOORHEES, FULL STATEMENT
Changes That May Be Made in the
Measure.
ITS PROBABLE MAJORITY

The Senate finance committee held a ses-
sion today on the tariff question. This Is
their first meeting since the bill was re-
ceived- They are pretty well advanced.
however. in the consideration Of the tariff
and have a general idea OF what they are
going to do. There are excellent reasons
for believing that in addition to preserving
the income tax feature Of the bill a duty
viii be put on coal. 1t is regarded as prob
able by those on the inside that a duty will
be put back on coal. together with decIa-
ration OF policy stating that this duty Is
levied Tor the purpose OF revenue. the in
tentlon being TO repeal 1t whenever the
revenue derived from it becomes unneces-
sary. Wherever any degree OF protection
Is maintained in the bill in this way. appIi-
cation OF this declaration will be made.
Its Probable Majority.
II Is understood from excellent sources
that the democratic members or the COM
ElIttee are calculating upon majority OF
about six in the Senate when the bill is put
upon It's passage in the shape in which 1t
comes from the committee. This majority
they calculate Will be made UP by the three
pcICIst votes, the solid democratic vote
with possible exception of Mr.. Hill and Mr.
Murphy. and the votes of Mr.. Teller and
Mr. Walker Of Colorado.
These two Senators have recently told
some Of their friends that il the biz should
come before them containing an income tax
lHry would vote IN its favor. There are rea-
sous Why q certain amount Of tenderness
1U[ ,hlhss populistic is popular just at pres
SIt Ia colorado. Mr Teller, too, has long
L~en IN favor OF an income tax
senator Voorhees, Statement.
Following is the fun text Of Senator
NuGFuEeS
democratic members of the Senate COM
iilttee on finance as TO why they have de-
'llei 10 grant no hearings on the Wilson
tariff bill:
Prompt and speedy action on pending
taTlH legislation is required at this time
by every patriotic and business considera-
tioA- Inc majority of the finance commit
lee charged with the responsibility of the
pyHIihs measure intend that no delay
S4di occur which ii - possible to avoid
We are determined that the business men
q the country Of all classes shall at a very
carry day have Il full and clear insight
- - IIe laws OF the tariff taxation which
= claim. however, has been made that
NHYeF q may wish 10 do must be al
L'"ed 10 come before the finance commit
Tee anu make Speeches TO US in regard to
tacA and every particular interest affected
D the tariff This claim is without limit
as 10 numbers and if granted to one per-
~ n
state. ma
1t is also unlimited as to the time and
becomes, therefore, in the hands of the op-
lJhehtS OF tariff reform an instrument of
Delay. indefinite in duration and far more
formidable and efficient than ;hc worst
IyrIn OF nhbus tering on the floor OF the
SeNdJ-. But II these hearings. as they 2 ra
CaIied. are matter Of right and cannot be
denied by the committee why should they
Ie merely eX parte in their character?
Al We are 10 listen for TIE next four five
months, as II Is bOasted in certain quarters
We VIII be compelled to do, why should the
sLI414 dcturers, these who plead for pro-
lection. FOR gains and profits by legisla-
tlou. alone be heard? 1t seems TO US that
the consumers of tariff taxed goods, the
farmer, the toiling millions throughout the
WuOle land have the highest right Of all
10 be heard in their necessary seIf-defense-
selT-de1ense against injustice and opprcs-
slCu-
Both Sides Ought to BE Heard.
If the cause Of privilege. protection, and
hanciaI greed is 10 invade our COM
mIttee room 10 be heard during the coming
spring and summer, then by every prln-
C-ple Of justice and right the cause of the
victim. the toiling consumer, must also be
amply and fully heard. The truth is that
legislation was never accomplished by such
methods and never viii be under our form
q government The people are heard
aud 4 moments reflection will show how
GInple and sufficient such hearings always
have been and Will always continue To he
or instance, why should the business of
tAe country be left IN doubt for weeks and
months while the manufacturers Of a Ger
TAN state are talking to the committee
when IN point OF fact Senator from the
sIIue state, a manufacture himself could
be discussing the same questions far more
ahtellseuuy and ably on the floor of the
Senate
II IS all Idle pretense that any right is de-
Ihec 10 anybody by the course the commit
Tee mas determined 10 take. We Will reDort
our bill 10 the Senate without DELAY and
then IIll hearings viii take place. Already
more than 100000 circulars, enbracinp, in
teTrosatOries touching every branch OF bust
h.ss known TO the census Of 1890 have been
addressed 70 all our Industries and abundant
streams OF Information are pouring in for
use IN discussion in the Senate. In addition
10 this. nearly all the protected rnanufac-
turers were heard before the Committee on
ways and means OF the House and the tes-
tmOny there taken is in print and in me
possession Of the Senate. The whole subiact
is very familiar to the American mind ami
needs no further calculation than will he in
cident 20 a full. free debate The country
needs action-action."