St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-06-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Senate Is Head Over Heels in the
Tariff Debate.
Bill May Not Be Passed Before August-Some
OF the Contests - Postmasters - Justice
Pield-PersonaI.
Especial to the cALEpoNrAN.)


We are head over heels in the tariff
debate. Despite the fact that the courts
have seemingly trampled upon the dig
nifty Of the senate by acquitting Have
meyer Of the charge of contempt of
that honorable body, the upper branch
Of the national legislature does not seem
to be stung to the quick on that account,
but on the other hand, Is conducting
business at the same old stand and in
the same old snail-like manner.
Ills passing strange. but the senate
always pckes along on matters of much
importance, and goes off like popping
gun on subjects decidedly trivial in their
nature. For instance, it passed the
lingo" Morgan resolution in very
brief time, but now has taken up the
tariff matter in which the whole people
are interested. 1t proposes to debate 1t
almost to the point of death.
1t will finally wiggle through, though.
I am satisfied Of that. 1t will probably
be law about Aug. /, possibly by July
10. 1t will be sweet enough to suit most
everybody. The sugar trust Is like the
negro song, wants yer ma honey, yes I
do" Its agents here claim that If the
sugar schedule Is not what they want,
there will be no tariff bill. We shall see.
The senate, which is less responsive
to the people than the house, will prob
ably yield on some features of the sugar
schedule, but the house, which originally
showed its hostility to this monopoly,
will stand up and fight for its version of
what the provision in the bill should be
In so far as 1t relates to sugar. The
opinion here is that the house will win
In this case, but that in others 1t will
eventually succumb and submit to SEN
atorial dictation in regard to certain
features of the bill.
The several test votes which have al
ready been had on pro forma amend
ments indicate that the bill will have a
comparatively easy task in wiggling
through on the final vote. There will
be considerable wrangling over the mat
ter in conference, but its ultimate pas
sage will occur about Aug. 1. Although
the president is displeased with parts Of
1t. he approves its salient features, and
will, most everybody thinks, sanction
the bill as rapidly as possible, in order
that the remedial legislation may be on
the statute books as soon as possible,
thus redeemIng the pledges of the Re-
publican party to the country at large.
New England is especially interested
in the duty on finished granite, a tax
on hides and the proposed two dollar
rate on tobacco. There will be q duty
on hides. That is practically assured.
Herculean efforts are being made to pre-
vent 1t. but the opinion is that the
stand and deliver" attitude of the
western senators for duty will be ac-
quiesced in ultimately.
James Quinn and James Killeen Of the
New England granite works, represent
Ing practically the granite industry of
New England, augmented by the pres
ence of Hon. John Shaw of Quincy,
Mass, have been here in conference
with Senators Chandler and Gallinger
OF New Hampshire to protest against
the proposition to establish the rate on
granite at SO per cent ad valorem. They
also urge that duty be placed upon
finished granite to equalize the cost of
States and abroad.
The Massachusetts, and Connecticut
delegations are fighting for two dollar
rate on tobacco. They all hope that the
majority of the committee can be swung
In favor Of the two dollar rate proposed
by the house. and believe that the work
can be done more effectively in private
talks than by formal hearing. The
working committee on the tariff consists
Of eight senators. Messrs. Morrill, Of
Vermont, Allison of Iowa, Plat of Con-
necticut, Plat Of New York and Spooner
Of Wisconsin are believed to be favor
able to restoration of the house rate
of two dollars per pound Senator Bur-
rows of Michigan is the most pronounced
supporter of the senate rate Of $3.50,
leaving Senator Aldrich Of Rhode Island
and Wilson of Washington doubtful.
Senator Aldrich has been strongly in
clined to favor the rate of $3.50, but Is
beginning to appreciate the force Of the
political and economical arguments put
forth by the growers of the Connecticut
valley. There appears to be no DISPOSE
ton to restore the house rate of 65 cents
per pound on filler tobacco. This rate
was not demanded by any special in
terest, but was inserted in the house
bill at the suggestion of some of tho
treasury officials in order to break up
what was regarded as fraudulent prac-
tice OF importing Havana wrapper at
filler rates in Florida.
Most of the New England congress-
men are just now being deluged with
applications for postoffices under the
new administration. These positions
not being under the rules of the civil
service, are practically within the gift
of the congressman, and the latter are
consequently sought for their I'm
flooence." Some of the New England
members have thousand and one post
offices in their districts, and to say that
the various applicants are not backward
Is coming forward is putting 1t very
mildly.
General Grout Of Vermont has made
this question Of postmasters q study,
md he has evolved a plan which is apt
to b every successful, and satisfactory
to all concerned, besides relieving him of
considerable embarrassment in select
ing one man, therefore securing the
enmity of all the other aspirants for
the same place. General Grout has al
WAYS been a believer in the policy OF
letting the patrons Of every office deter
mine, SO far as they are able who shall
handle their mails. In every congress,
since the Fifty-hrst, he has introduced
a bill providing for the appointment OF
fourth class postmasters in accordance
with the decision of the majority Of the
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