The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-06
TARIFF CAUSES DELAY.
REAL FiGHT yPON yEyy cor
IRON, SUGAR, AND INCOME TAX.
Wilson Bill Does Not Gain streneih-Dem.
ocrats Divided Upon It-What the
Mine Owners Ask For.
TINES BUREAU. RAPLEY BUILDING.
WAsHINGToS, January 3. 1898.

Ills Ithl'Didtic MAJORITY nave demon
strated that they are not yet ready 10
take up the Wilson bin in open session
and begin their fight against such por-
tions Of II as they DO not approve OPP
viii not support. The fact that a eau
Gus was TO be held IN the evening In
duced a number Of representatives 10
refrain from voting. in order that tho
bill would not be introduced until the cau-
cusswas over. The Hawaiian subterfuee
was discarded this morning and il WAS
| clearly developed that the tariff was really
the animus OF the delay. The COmmltfae
on Rules brought in a rule providing for
the final vote on January 18th, allowinp
five days for general speeches and TIE
balance Of the time for discussion in
Committee Of the Whole. Nainly We're
| the rolls called and the members re-
! quested 10 answer 10 their names. for
| while quorum was at many times ap-
| parently in the House the members
would not vote This is the beginning
| OF the fight within the party over the
tariff measure proposed by its own COM
mittee. This fight is largely upon the
free coal iron. and sugar. and income
tax propositions. although several other
features find Il following which would
! rather oppose the first introduction of
the bill than wait TO make war on the
floor.
The Wilson bill does not seem to gain
strength and support and the very fact
Of these delays and the call for eau
Gus. evidences the fact that the Demo-
Gratis are divided upon its merits.
what + e Mine Owners Want.
The min owners. operators, and en-
| ployes OF the transporting companies ask
| only Of the Virginia delegation that I'm
| these perious financial times they will
| leave coal alone. From the foundation of
the Government TO the present time the
average tariff on coal has been 81 per tom
1t is now r. cents per Ton. and was kept
at this figure in both the Morrison ana
Mills bills.
The principal markets for this coal are
the New England States, and the shipping
points. Newport News and Lamberts
Point. send over 100000 tons annually 10
them. About one-third only Of this Is
used by the manufacturers. and the bal
ance by the railroad and steamship lines.
The competition between the Virginia,
West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsyl-
vania regions in this market has reduced b
the price since 1873 just one-half, leaving
a very small profit now to the shippers
Of this coal
a reduction Of the tariff of twenty-five
cents per ton one-third Of the present
rate would destroy all the profit in the
New England markets for the Virginia
mines Heretofore the Virginia delega-
ton has been solid for the retention Of
this duty No party whip mas ever driven
them from what they considered the pro-
per protection of this Virginia interest
our present Governor offered the amend
ment in the House to the report OF the
commi ,toe on the Mills bin restoring the
duty on coal This duty puts at least
81 10000 annually in the United States
Treasury. which, at this time, with the
deficit alieady existing, cannot be spared.
The average percentage IN the Mckin-
ley bill is As per cent. The Treasury De-
partment reports the average duty on
coal at o per cent under that bill. In
the Wilson bill the average percentage IS
reduced to 40 per cent, while coal which |
Is only a little more than one-half of this !
percentage is put upon the free list.
O'Ferrail's III cessor.
The question Of the successorship IN |
CONGRESS to Governor OFerrall is still |
matter Of considerable speculation here. |
The placing of the date Of the nominating !
convention 10 be held at Harrisonburg as |
late as the 23d is thought to give very |
little time for any canvass i'm case there |
should be an opposition ticket m l"e
field BESIDES Mr. Gordon ana Mr. Levy |
State Senator Walton. Messrs. smith
Turner. A. Moore, and Micajah woods /
are also mentioned as candidates before
the convention.
The selection Of the Supreme Court
iudgeships by the caucus o. night Is
awaited with great interest By the NH-
ginia contingent here. With the proinl-
nent candidates, however. IL is thoroushy
agreed that the court will be an admira-
bic one I'm any event.
Duiy IN sumac.
II was recently stated that congressman
Jones and Meredith, Of Virginia. WOuid
oppose the reduction or the
duty on sumac proposed by the wilson Dill
as the gathering and manufacture OF SUI
mac were important industrial pursuits
which gave employment TO hundreds OF
Faborers Of all classes in their congress
sonal districts. When spoken to on the
subject yesterday Congressman Jones
stated positively that II was not ms IN
tention to do anything that would hinder
Or endanger the passage of the wilson Dill
by the House
There are a great many industries IN
he district that / represent of Importance
N their several localities, that il is claim
ID will be unfaVorably affected by this
dill. and at the proper time i propose 10
10 all in my power 10 protect their in
erests, but other sections of this country
nave numerous local interests that Will
)e affected by this reform, and ! am COM |
)elled to recognize the fact that in some
Instances personal and local desires must
)e subordinated 10 the general good. and
While IL is my earnest desire TO protect |
he industries of the people / represent,
believe that the principles of tariff re-
orm embodied in the Democratic plat
orm, should be carried out, and the Oft
epeated promises Of the party in this
direction fulfilled. Besides. it must be
umers. a large majority of whom belong
o the laborlng classes, have rights which
re entitled 10 consideration as well as the
In taking this stand. no one can charge
hat Congressman Jones is Influenced by
he fear or favor of the administration. lie
ias never beguiled by the bewitching
iusic of the cuckoo clock in the memor-
BILE fight for free silver during the extra
ession, but was one of the champions
{ the white metal who never yielded a
ngle point. but fearlessly upheld the
shes and sentiment OF the people he rep
ssented from the beginning Of the hght
Its close. with consistency that prov
/ his earnestness for the success OF the
iuse he esp0used.
No h Care 1 "a Offlces.
Congressman Alexander. OF North Caro-
ma. was not In the least spoiled by his
oliday vacation but resumed work in
irnest on the first day Of his Return.
. was at the Department OF the Inte-
ar Yesterday and hopes very soon 20