The San Francisco call., 1895-10-14
WILL RAISE SCHEDULES.
Provision Must Be Made to
Increase the Revenues
of the Nation.
WORK OF THE NEXT CONGRESS
Restoration Of the Duty on Wool
the First Reform to Be
Attempted.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Oct. 13.-Snce
the Congressional election in November
last, when it became known that the Re-
publicans would have an overwhelming g
majority in the House of Representatives,
with Reed as Speaker, it has been almost
taken for granted that there would be no
radical tariff legislation in the Fifty-fourth
Congress, if, indeed, there was any tariff
tinkerng whatever. Leading politicians
agree that the pending change in tariff
schedules and the doubt as to financial
legislation were in a great measure re-
sponsible for the late business depression,
which amounted almost to panic. Lead
ers in both parties concluded it would be
wise to give the people season of rest
from tariff legislation. Reed himself an
nounced to friends that he considered 1t
wise to attempt no great changes in tariff
schedules. He believed that this policy
would find favor with business men and
people generally.
High-tariff Republicans = followers of
McKinley-took issue with Reed in this
regard, and now comes Senator Sherman,
the leader of the Republicans in the upper
house, whose utterances yesterday to a
representative of THE CALL indicate that
he is not of the same mind as Mr.. Reed,
and that there will likely be an attempt
made to revise the tariff. 1t will be inter-
esting to Californians to know that sena-
tor Sherman proposes to try and restore
the duty on wool.
81 have no hesitation in saying" said
Senator Sherman, "that tariff legislation
will be one of the first things gone about at
the incoming Congress, 1t is absolutely
imperative. We must have more money,
and that means a revision of tariff and
revenue laws as they now exist. The
present laws do not produce enough
money, and the question of raising more
is not one of politics, but of pressing need.
~ mo. could not indicate in what direc-
tion tariff legislation might be looked for.
These revenue measures, whatever they
are, must originate in the House, and it
would be very difficult-impossible in
fact-for member of the Senate to fore
tell their tenor"
1t is the general impression that Senator
Sherman himself believes that the tariff on
wool would be the thing. There is, how
ever, an impression that the Congress
coming in will never pass bill elevating
the tariff on WOOL and that President
Cleveland would veto such measure if it
did. 1t is certain that something must be
done to increase the revenues. One propo-
sition is to tax beer, but it would be vigor-
ously opposed by Senators whose terms
soon expire. Senator Voorhees,, recently,
in private conversation, denounced with
out stint or limit all proposals to increase
the revenue on tobacco or beer. He said
they were the poor mans luxuries, and he
would consent to no course which was
likely to increase their cost to the con-
sumer.
Senator Vest on the subject of beer and
the possible elevation of the beer tax, was,
on the other hand. more favorable. He
said he would be perfectly willing to in
crease the beer tax. Beer now costs, re-
tailed, Sc a barrel. Selling it at cents
glass to the consumer, the retailer reaped
$50 barrel, leaving him a profit of $24.