New-York tribune., 1897-08-30
THE DISCRIMINATING DUTY.
HOW 1T WAS INSERTED IN THE DlNGLEl
BILL BY THE CONFERENCES.

rv,nrxct, THAT 1T WAS NOT FULLY EXPLAINED
N EITHER HOUsE-A POINT OF ORDER
COVERING A SIMILAR CASE OVER
RULED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
(BY TELEGRAPH To THE TRTBuNEl
Washington. Aug. 29.-There seems to be some con-
fusion In the public mind. from which even Sena-
tors and Representatives not wholly exempt re-
spectng the parliamentary proceedings relating to
Section 22 of the Dingley law. which provides Tor
the imposition OF discriminating duty OF III per cent
ad valorem on all merchandise imported into the
United States which, being the production OF man
ufacture OF any foreign country not contiguous 10
the United States shall come into the United states
from such contiguous country" The words quoted
were not In the bill II passed the House OF Repre-
sentatlves but the section was amended IN the SEN
ate by the insertion OF the words. "Or any act OF
Congress" The Conference Committee struck these
words out. and inserted the provision first quoted
and also added after the word treaty" the words
cor convention" On July :. when the request for
a conference was made BY the Senate Mr.. Cannon
asked Mr. Allison. who was In charge OF the Dl'
whether any matters were to be consdefea WHICH
we're not In controversy between the TWO houses
inl the latter replied certainly not. The COLO
guy as far az it relates to this subject then con-
tinuel. and ended as follows:
M Cannon-It Is distinctly understood. then. that
the Conference Committee will not include withh
i,s purvicw any matter not in controversy between
the two houses
Mr. Aidrich-Certaln.y not
Mr. Ailison-Conferrees A never have that power.
Mr. cannon-They have exercised that power In
the past | want It understood. lnasmuch as con-
ference committees more than one occasion nave
exercised that power in the past. I think the In
quiry Is quite pertinent. and I desire to have It
distinctly understood whether the conferrees on the
part of the Senate the present OCCASION propose
10 exercise that power.
When the report Of the Conference Committee
came up for consideration in the House on July
~ there had been placed on the desk OF each MEM
Der a printed document, which showed all the
changes the original bill had undergone since 1t
passed that body. and Chairman Dingey under
took 10 review and explain the provisions Of the
conference report. He was target for numerous
questions all of which he had to answer on the
spur of the moment. There was little time and
scant opportunity to go into details. Mr.. Living
ston, OF Georgia. asked about the discriminating
duty imposed by Section %, and Mr.. Dng.ey re-
piled that II was an old provision, affecting mer
chandlse imported in vessels of countries with
which the United States had no commercial treaties
The provision relating to mportatons from con-
tiguous countries. of foreign goods not produced
therein. he did not mention, probably for lack of
time. account OF the vo.eys Of questions fired
at him by other members on variety Of subjects
The conference report was taken up in the Senate
on July u. 1t had then been in print two or three
days Section % reached and read, as amended,
follows:
Sec. %. That discriminating duty OF 10 per
cent ad valoren. in addition to the duties imposed
by law, shall be levied collected and paid on all
goods. wares or merchandise which shall be I'M
which. being the production or manufacture Of any
sSS Come hTt no t6r ees s from sc
contiguous country; but this discriminating duty
h not Sbo pP by S SPHSi M Gr no o 6
United States. entitled at the time OF such importa-
the ports of the United states on payment Of the
same duties as shall then be payable on goods.
manufactures as shall be imported from such con-
tguous countries in the usua course of strictly re-
MIR Jones. OF Arkansas-what change does that
make from the proposition of the Senate and from
the present law?
Mr Allison-It makes no change. except that It
APPLIES to foreign countries not contiguous 10 the
Mir Jones OF hrkansas-What is the law at pres
Mr. Allison-There is no such exemption now, 1t
hoe smP E 10 , w'ke or time nS hgt b wen mas
mating duty II it shall apply. will not allow goods
to come from contiguous countries. thereby escap-
It is now argued by many persons including some
Senators and Representatives. that the Conference
Committee exceeded it, authority when Il in
serted tho provision imposing discriminating duty
OF 10 per cent on importations from contiguous
countries Of foreign merchandise not produced in
those countries The powers Of conferenec commit
in general it has been held that such committees
have the right to recommend concurrence with
amendment provided the same IL gernane II the
subject 10 any amendment or matter In controv-
ers!. In some cases conference committees have
passed these bounds ana their action has been rat-
fed But it happened in the course OF the consid-
Grafton OF the conference , report on the D.nsey
tion o. AZ amended. was read and passed that
nent the ground that the conference committee
had exceeded iis authority. This amendment was
on printing paper. which proyiso imposed an, adj
ditonal duty OF one-tenth OF one cen; pound for
I,If. Of M card. In rood
all printing paper imported from countries i'm
posing such export duties. Senator Jones of Ar
SON had not been acted upon either by the Senate
House and hi the conffrenee rGe Gqmmi,eS
debated by senators Jones of Arkansas. White.
6c SCr Course 1 Of ,hc deS%tc Mr cbandcr i said
7 should like to ask the senator from Arkansas
an ne Arnnopri"iion b Where thD confcrrecs ac
tually PIT in provisions about iribe Of ,ndilns
that had no relation whatever TO the ciaule tat
went into conference? The Senator voted to sus-
committee. ana ! though, It was very wrong.
| was surprised that the Senator from Arkansas;
who believes in usually adherinS to the rules OF
the Senate. should have voted to sustain that
conference reor THIS Is yGry dcrH@ ', yi
correct II am wrons-tnc conference SommNtee
''l Wr '.Alson-wiih the paragraph.
jcct matter of the paragraph in conference. They
had IA, right II completely cover thtt :uhj"ct by
adcuuatc legal provision. NOW. WHAT SURPRISES
,nn j. thot the senator from Arlan~l Al cs
pon Of order little thin glikc that. when
ho svoIlowed two tribes ~ indians daugh'SU I'm
"onnecticn with 4 former conference "cpori rs
an amendment TO claus" about totally differ
ent tribe of Indians How can the Senator do
that? , ,, =. -,
,oric,i fact stated by the senator from New
Uamnshir, IT, however, ! committed the error OF
,ntnr TO sustain the action OF the conference COM
r,t,,ce n. bringing that matter Into conference
,cnort / will ohccrfullv Join tho senator from
NJ. npshire now In r,pudatinS any snCl
he par o
ru moi r,poat the error made at that time. If !
I'D swallow tribes or Indians. DO not reinenf-
unr the fact that | did SO U.auehtcr)
Mr Chander-Does the senator not rememb"r
hnv' anxious ne TO got those things done
Mr. Jones Of Arkansas-No; do not. do not
rcrrrmher taat I ever had any special interest i1
win regard to any OF those matters.