The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-01-08
OUR DEAREST FOES.
The United States Senate
Majority Caucussing on
the Tariff.
MORE BOND VILLAlNY
New Bill to Forbid All Issues
Underyaluations InVes-
tigated.

WASHINGTON. jan 5. 1sse-Immedi-
a.ely after the Senate adjourned today
the Republicans went into caucus to con-
slider the Tariff bill.
Senator Wolcott (Rep.. Col) male his
first appearance for the session today
a,.i took the oath of office for his new
term. He was greeted ma very friendly
manner by his associates in the chamber.
Mr.. Hale (Rep., Me.), from the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs reported bill
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy
to enlist additional men for the navy;
and it was placed on the calendar He
said that it was very important bill,
authorizing recruiting from the naval
militia and from outside: and that he
would call it UP at an early day
Mr.. Butler (Pop., N. c. gave notice
OF amendments to be offered to the House
bond BILL These amendments forbid the
issue of United States bonds for any pur-
pose whatever, without authority of Con-
gress; and require the payment of green
backs, Treasury notes, and Of the inter
est and principal of coin bonds. in either
old or silver coin. preferring the cheaper
metal.
At 1880 Mr.. Sherman (Rep., o. made
motion to adjourn, and said that he
did SO because he was convinced that an
adjournment now would expedite busi-
ness Senators, he assumed, were aware
Of the reason for his action (mearng tile
holding OF Republican caucuso
Mr.. Stewart (Pop., Nev.) who had the
floor for a speech this morning, suggested
postponement of the motion for an hour:
but Mr.. Sherman declined to withdraw it,
and the Senate adjourned until tenor
row.
By unanimous consent a joint resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Spalding (Rep.,
Mich.) was read in the House of Repre-
sentatives and referred to the Committee
On Foreign Affairs 1t provided for the
erection into the State of Hawaii of the
territory commonly known as the Sand
wien Islands,. with the consent of the
people thereof. It carries an appropria-
ton of 100000 to pay the expenses of the
negotiations preliminary to the constiIu-
ton of the State.
The House Ways and Means Commit
tee today began the consideration of the
bill amending the administrative features
OF the tariff act, so as to prevent under
valuation.
Several members of the Board of Cen
erai Appraisers of New York appeared
before the committee. H. M. Somerville
signed to agents of foreign merchants
in this country, and goods having no
established value. commonly known as
lob lots caused the greatest trouble
The tendency of consignment, he said
was to do away with direct purchases
The consignment business had increased
very rapidly and under-valuations had
increased proportionately. He gave a
detailed account of the method of ap-
prahsement, and the trouble experienced
in arriving at values.
w F. Lunt spoke of the difficulty of
obtaining values and the methods adopted
by foreign makers to deceive.
Mr.. Dingley asked him it. when goods
were reapprased and additional duty as
sessed, the additional duty was not often
RENTED by the Treasury.
Mr.. Lunt thought that such was the
case. The Attorney General had decided
that additional duties were penalties and
the Secretary of the Treasury had the
power to remit them. Mr.. Lunt did not
agree wita .he Attorney General. There
was little difference between undervalul-
ton and Smuggling If additional duties
were sustained at all it must be as a
duty and not as penalty.
In reply to a question as to how assist
ance could be rendered appraisers in ar
irving at values, he suggested that con-
sulS and other Government officers
abroad be required to make reports from
time to time on the value of goods ex-
ported from the countries to which they
are accredited.
The committee adjourned until tomor-
row. when Mr.. Lunt will give further
testimony.