Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-31

given. which do not believe, yet even
this would not be so important as
many seem to t'hink. Tclis construc ton
would not affect the transportation OF
the products Gf this country in sealed
cars by Canadian railroads, which
practically covers the railroad ques-
ton.
Again, it would not affect the trans
portation through Canada into this
country of imported merchandise which
bears no duty: and it SO happens tina.
most of the imported merchandise des-
tined for this country and transported
by Canadian railroads is tea, which IS
on the free list. Practically, therefore,
the construction claimed, even II fnaily
made, would have little effect. But as
/ have already said. feel confident
that this construction will not be final
ly given to the amendment"
The correspondent says Mr.. Dingley
was warmly indignant over the insinu-
alton of trickery but was not ready to
say anything for publication on shat
point.
The Boston Herald interviews Sen
ator Frye on the same matter, especial
ly in relation to Senator Chambers let
ter criticising the amendment to the
section. Among other statements Mr..
Frye is quoted as making to the cor
respondent is this:
HE" (Chandler) asserts that tbs
American Steamship Company, as
II, III
to induce the conference committee on
the tariff bill to reform section %, and,
by fnnuendo, connects that company
with the railroads in the procurement
of the law as it now stands. He says
the result was secured by an elaborate
trick, and that. OF course, intelligent
men like these conferees must have
been cognizant of it when they adopted
it.
Now, the senator knows, personally
and by repute, all the members of the
committee, and cannot in good con-
science charge them with being ignor-
ant dupes or cunning contIfvists of
elaborate tricks.
las to facts, there was serious and
long-continued attempt to induce the
Senate finance committee to adopt and
report to the Senate a substitute for
section %, the purpose being to have it
in such shape that it would be effectual
in event Congress should conclude tn
resort to discriminating duties for the
revival of our foreign carrying trade.
as recommended by the national con-
vention of Republicans and Endorsed by
it's candidate for the presidency, with
fl,rtr,ar c1 nfh ha
the abrogation of our commercial
treaties.
While the proposed amendment, as
printed. contained the 10 per cent, as
urged before the committee, the duty
was not to exceed six, to be levied upon
non-dutiable as we'll as dutia!ble goods
Failing to secure a report of this
amendment to the Senate, it was then
advocated very earnestly before the
conferences, but failed of success. This
attempt was open, was advocated III
the presence OF several senators not
the committee at different hearings,
and preparations made fer it's discus
sion in the Senate.
THE American Steamship Company.
if such one exists. was not at all
promoter of this scheme.
"Of how this amendment to section
% was secured, 1 know nothing, but
that it was by a Legislative trick in
the playing of which the conferees
were participants with knowledge, / do
not believe, ror do l believe that any
senator, other than Mr.. Chandler har-
bors for moment such a suspicion
Il am, and have been for many years
intensely and actively interested in the
restoratio of the merchant marine en-
gagged in the foreign carrying trade. 1t
seems to me that our present condition
in this regard is national humiliation.
While I appreciate the immense bena-
fits our railroads have conferred upon
the country, 1 understand the preju-
dices they have aroused. and this at
tempt to effect something for our ships;
ought not tobe Handicapped by any
imaginary co-partnership, nor by any
implication that the friends of the ship
ping have Joined hands with any one
to perpetrate Legislative trick"