, 1897-04-01
RETROACTIVE.
The Rates Of the Dingley Bill to Go In
to Effect April Is.

USNOkACC u lo" AAN5 hoNCA anu hAuAL
discussed policy was definitely resolved
upon at a meeting Of the republican
members Of the committee held tonight,
The subcommittee. consisting Of Repre-
sentative Grosvenor of Ohio, Tawney OF
Minnesota and Dalzell of Pennsylvania,
which was authorized to report upon the
proposition, presented an amendment
which they had written, and their col
leagues instructed Mr.. Grosvenor to Of
fer the amendment tomorrow in the
house. There is no doubt that 1t will be
adopted by a party vote.
The substance Of the amendment is as
follows: That the duties imposed by the
law shall be enforced and collected on
all goods imported subsequent to April
LIST. 1t creates a lien upon the goods
thus imported for the amount Of the du-
ties imposed, and also makes the import
or and the person in whose possession
the goods may be found, If not a retail
merchant or a carrier, liable for the
amount of the duties for the excess i'm
posed by the bill above the amounts such
articles may have paid. 1t also requires
customs officers to retain samples OF i'm.
ported goods. to the end that the evi.
dence Of Identification may be preserved.
1t provides for bringing suits to recover
the duties. both against imports and
wholesale merchants, and gives to cir
cult courts Of the United States full and
complete Jurisdiction to hear and deter
mine such actions and TO enforce the
judgments.
The members Of the subcommittee
had investigated the question Of the
constitutionality and validity OF the
proposition personally and had secured
the opinions Of able lawyers, among
them the Encouragement of Ohio.
When they presented to their col
leagues their authorities on which they
propose to sustain the amendment,
there was no dissent from their views.
II importers can place their orders
and get goods through the customs-
houses before April 18th. the amend
ment will not affect them, but they will
be obliged to take their chances in such
attempt. While there is much doubt
expressed by members Of congress as to
the validity Of the proposed ameod-
ment. and as to its acceptance by the
senate. It will doubtless have the effect
Of discouraging importatlons while the
bill Is pending before the senate.
The chief precedent on which the
committee relies to sustain its action
Is a decision Of the supreme court
growing out Of the Wilson act. That
act did not become . Law until August
%. 1894. although the bill stated that
the duties therein imposed should be
levied on and after August LIST. 1t was
before congress nearly q month after
the time fixed for it's beginning, and
as the house accepted the senate amend
ments without sending the bill to a
conference between the two houses, the
intention Of the leaders to change the
date of it's enforcement In q conference
could not be carried out. The supreme
court decided, in effect, however, as it's
opinion lie interpreted by the ways and
means committee. that the rates Of the
act became operative on N date de-
clared by the act, although that date
was % days before 1t became law.
HAWAII MAY ASK ANNEXATION.
Washington. March Silt IL said to
be probable that formal ~application 70.
annexation to the United States will be
made soon nv the government Of Hawai-,
through its minister to the United
States. The application will be present,
~ 70 inc sta'e department ano II 10 Ok
pec.eo WIN W 'rs''eo 70 conereee'
nA ihuon, A''olnes eeo
erai o""n. anu Hen' a1sr'"ei' u aia>
wall nave oeen nere s'nee insosurstlon
tne 'tnetes' Oh eAaeio MI. fiatcn'
tue minister, anu mr. smith,
eaw tue presiaent on inursoay' ana mr.
mcn'niey 's'eneu ae'en'ive'S 10 Ut,
o"en q g naa 70 present IN faVor on
nneAa'io
"essts' fa'cn ana S!ni'n aleo nave
e"' oy one1"an III resafo 10 tne
him arguments in its fayor. They de,
cline to discuss the attitude Of the presl.
dent or his premier on the subject, "a.