The herald., 1897-05-24
The Importer and Manu-
facturer in Clover
THE CITRUS FRUITS FIGHT
NOT WON YET, BUT THERE IS
DETERMINED EFFORT
The Vaccinations Of the Omnipotent
Sugar Trust-Devious Paths
Of Patronage
Special Correspondence to The Herald.


WASHINGTON, D. c., May lion
the oath instant the opposing forces in
the senate will come together in blood
less conflict on the tariff question. 1t
might as we'll be known first last that
the eastern interests have not the slight
est concern regarding those Of the west.
On the contrary. they are working day
and night to prevent the west from secur-
ing even fair treatment. New England
Stands in" with the west whenever it is
to New England's interets to do so. The
tariff bill lately reported to the senate by
the majority Of the finance committee
il not altogether perfect, and when the
true state Of things leaks out 1t will be
found that many Jobs have been put UP,
and that while denying s5 per cent ad
valorem on oranges to the west the
trainers of the bill readily consented to
protect" the eastern importer and man.
ufacturer to the extent of from to 400
per cent Happily for California, Sena-
tor Jones of Nevada held the key to the
situation, and by refusing to permit
them to report the bill unless it con-
tained the amendments proposed by him
and the California senators he secured
recognition. Protection" has been so
lavishly bestowed in certain directions
that in several instances the rate fixed
in the bill is more than that asked for
by the parties most interested. 1t Is
presumed that the stock Of this par
ct lit lo
large that Senators Aldrich and Allison
have had hard work to reduce it suffi-
GENTLY to permit of their passing in and
out of the store room. The importers
who raise fruit in Greater New York
have been telling Mr.. Worthington G.
Ford, the statistician, that 1 cent
per pound on citrus fruit is really 100
per cent ad valorem, but they neglected
to tell him just how they made that
calculation. Those who have been here
in the interest Of the California fruit
growers assert that 35 Ter cent ad va
lorem is the correct figure. The battle
is not yet won, for most determined
fight will be made to place the house
duty on oranges-N cent per pound
back in the bill.
| If not successful in the senate, an
effort will be made to have the confer
ence committe agree to lower the rate.
The only concern that is not kicking
at receiving too much protection is the
sugar trust. But we never heard of
that particular corporation objecting to
the size of gift. In fact, they never
have received enough, according to their
statements. The sugar schedule as re-
ported to the senate will be modified
Besides those who are opposed to the
sugar schedule from a purely anti
monopoly standpoint, there are others
who hail from eastern states, and the
fight regarding this particular item will
be fast and furious-that is, fast for
the senate, for everyone is counting
upon an adjournment in about two
months, and there are other matters to
be settled also.
The raisin growers Of California are
making strenuous efforts to have the
rate fixed by the l1ouse-21s cents per
pound-replaced in the bill. The senate
committe reduced the duty on raisins
to 2 cents per pound, and the chances
are that no higher rate will be obtained
The Democratic minority of the
finance committee have, after a pro-
tracted meeting held Saturday last, de-
cided to offer no substitute bill. No
filibustering will be indulged in, but each
schedule will receive it's share of dis
cusion.
THE HAWAIIAN TREATY
There is some talk of giving a two
years notice of the intended abrogation
of the present Hawaiian reciprocity
treaty. The bill as now constituted alb
rogates this treaty. The sugar trlAt
will oppose anything in the nature of a
modification of the present scheme, and
IL that concern can accomplish the re-
tention in the bill Of the present sugar
schedule and the abrogation of the Ha-
waiian treaty the members will be en-
tirely satisfied with their labors.
The California delegation is a unit
when 1t comes to the proposition Of get
ting something for California, and with
Senator Jones standing close by ready
to aid, there is little doubt but that the
bill will remain as it came to the senate
with reference to all sections affecting
that state.
PATRONAGE
Regarding offices there is little to say.
1t seems to be the policy of all depart
|
their full terms, except in cases where
charges of incompetency or dishonesty
are fully sustained. There are not few
Democratic Office holders who, judging
from their letters requesting retention,
are favorable to this policy, and Mr.. Nc
Kinley may be sure Of their support if
any question should arise as to the pro-.
priety of such a course. Heads of depart
ments are looking closely at the civil
service net in order to find apertures
therein through which they may push
political fish. A pet scheme is to reduce
the salary Of the incumbent, who
imagines himself safe because of civil
service rules, so low that he cannot
afford to retain the position; then, when
he resigns, the way is clear to raise the
salary and appoint new man. This
might be called a sort of an incumbent's
automatic firing device.