Evening star., 1897-04-28
A TARIFF AMENDMENT
Dicount to Csuatziss Entering Iusp . Bims-
tallie Agreement.
such Action Said TO Have Beea Forcell
by Senator'S Wslcott and
Jones of Nevada.

1t is reported at the Capitol today that
the republican senators having charge of
the tariff bill have been compelled to ac-
cept an amendment proposed by Senator'S
Wo1cott Of Colorado and Jones of Nevada
reViding that any country which shall
enter into bimetaliic agreement with the
United States shall be allowed a discount
of Is per cent of the tariff rates upon the
products sent by any such nation to this
country.
1t is impossible at this time to verify
the report SO far as it relates to the ac-
ceptance Of the amendment by the repub-
licans. There is no doubt, however, that
the proposition has been pressed upon
tfem. and it is also true that Senator VOL
colt and Senator Jones of Nevada have
the power. If they choose to exert il. TO
compel the adoption of the amendment or
defeat the tariff bill in the committee with
the aid of the democrats of the committee,
who are all silver men.
Silver Democrats Favorable.
Inquiry of one of the most distinguished
silver democrats in the Senate this after
noon elected the statement that in his
opinion thu proposition would be calculated
to commend itself very favorabiy to the
democrats the committee. With this
probability in view. he said. he could well
understand how Senator's Wolcott ami
Jones could bring considerable pressure to
bear upon the other republican members of
the committee. He was inclined tn b=liere
that the only thing which would make the
republicans view with any tolerance at al!
such provision in the tariff Dill would be
the Threatened exercise of the power which
is possessed by the two senator's.
The spreading of the report aroused
great leal of interest iE congressional cir
cies. Speculation was made as to which
one of the two senators named WAS eE-
gineeriDg the alleged move in behalf of sill
Yer. This was deemed of importance, from
the fact that if Senator Jones of Nevada
was responsible fer ii aud really in earnest
about he matter ii would imply that the
whole silver strength in the Senate could
be rallied to the support of .he PROPOSE
ton, as Senator Jones was more in har-
mony with the silver forces than Senator
Wolcott
Interest In senator Jones.
A great deal of curiosity has been ex-
pressed as to the probable attitude Of Sen
ator Jones of Nevada toward the tariff bill
when ii gets into the full committee. He
has thus far remained very reticent upon
this subject, and has refrained from ex
pressing his Intentions. The fact that he
is vitality necessary to the republicans in
reporting thei; bill has made his position
conspicuous, and as one senator expressed
it today. has kept the tariff managers on
the anxious bench"
The Senate finance committee at present
consists of five democrats (silver). five re-
publicans. counting Senator Wolcott as a
party man, and Senator Jones of Nevada,
silver. Those on the committee are Nor
rill john P. Jones, Allison, Aldrich, Plat.
Wolcott. Harris. Vest. James K. Jones.
White and WaIthail. 1t will thus be seen
that without the aid of Senator Jones of
Nevada the tariff bill could never get out
of committee. The democrats have in
sisted that the bill should be given thor
oagh consideration in committee, and Sen
ator Jones' vote upon the amendments that
come up will be in demand.
Duty on Imported Herring.
The fish trade of Chicago interested in
the lowering of the Dngley schedule on
imported herrngs had conference today
with the subcommittee of the Sena,e
finance committee having the tariff bill in
charge. Anthony Hosking and Robert b.
Boak. wellknown business men OF Chi
cago, accompanied by Senator Mason, were
the representative They secured from
Senator A1drich a promise to acquesce in
their 1eQuest that the present duty of y
cent pound on Imported herrinSs be re-
duty prescribed by the Dingley bill.
Messrs. Hosking and Boak pointed out that
Norway and Holland are the only coun-
tries on the continent of Europe from
which America buys fish. and that these
two countries are the only ones in Europe
admitting American pork. beef and flour
without restrictions in protective duties.
Senator Aldrich repeated that he thought
their request would undoubtedly be favor
ably considered.
Not to BE Reported Till Monday.
The republican subcommittee of the Sem
ate finance committee which is preparing
the tariff bill decided definitely TODAY not