The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-05-14
WORK 3 ESS

The senate committee has recon-
structed the bill as respects a all the
vital and essential points az the meas
ure, and in a general way the rates OF
the measure as It passed the house
have been reduced. The schedules in
which the Northwest 10 particularly in
terested are held up fairly well, but the
wool, sugar and fax and other sched-
ules have been materially changed. 10
Offset the reduced rates on many items
OF the bill which were calculated to i'm
pair the efficiency Of the measure as a
revenue raiser the COMMITTEES provided
a temporary revenue tax on tea and
an increase In the internal revenue tax
Of beer of A cents on each barrel. In
other respects the shanges In the bill
are regarded as largely In the interests
Of the Western people, and In this re-
spect is noted the carrying out Of the
demands Of the Western men In re-
gard to changes In the wool schedule
the placing Of hides on the dutiable
list, and a number of changes of that
character. The western men are gen.
orally satisfied with the changes in the
wool schedule, which are believed to
be in the interests Of more protection
for wool, as being calculated to pre-
vent the importation OF higher grades
of wool under the disguise of low
grade by providing the specific rate on
the better, or carpet woods. In the fax,
hemp and jute schedule the rates of
the bill have been reduced. In re-
spect to the lumber schedule the
Northwestern men won a decided VIC
tory, holding the rates as they were
originally provided. The proposed tax
of 10 cents pound on tea and the in
crease on the beer tax IRE justified by
the Republican members Of the COM
mittee as an emergency tax made nee
essary by the reduction Of rates on
wool and other articles Of the bill.
Among the surprises of the bill are the
indirect repeal of the reciprocity treaty
with Hawaii, which is done by strik.
ing out the provision against abro-
eating the treaty which was contained
in the bill as 1t came from the house
and providing for duties on all sugars
imported. The reciprocity provision
of the measure was also stricken out.
As the bill now stands 1t carries pro-
vision for increased rates on articles
imported from countries which pay eX-
port bounties on articles sent to this
country. This would cover beet sugar
from Germany. The agricultural
schedule remains practically the same
ae the bill passed by the house, small
reductions having been made on hay
and two or three minor articles. The
rates on granite, in which the North
west was greatly interested, were in
creased considerably in two instances,
from 10 to IA cents, and from 40 to 80
per cent ad valorem. The rates on leaf
<01, tn, ,So1, Qn,s,
Northwest as we'll as the tobacco and
cigar manufacturers have shown much
interest. are sweepingly reduced from
1915 on wrapper tobacco being re-
duced to $1.50. Another schedule
greatly reduced is that relating to Inn
ported fresh and salt fish. Many Pc
titions from consumers and dealers in
the Northwest asked for these reduc.
lions.
IN THE SENATE.
Washington, May 5.-Senators Cor
man of Maryland and Foraker of
Ohio had lively tilt in the senate dur
ing the consideration of the sundry
civil appropriat IN bill. There was
added interest Id the controversy from
the fact that Mr.. Foraker is q new
conner and this was his maiden effort,
while Mr.. German is one Of the veter-
sans of the senate. 1t occurred when
Mr.. Foraker offered an am,rdme Mt alp-
propriating 100000 for the Tennes-
see river. This gave Mr.. German a
text for a severe criticism of reckless
extravaganza in appropriations. Upon
Mr.. Allison's explanation Mr.. Foraker
finally withdrew the amendment. A
final vote on the free homestead bill
was taken and the bill passed-42 to
IL. The tariff bill was reported early
in the day and Mr.. Aldrich gave notice
that 1t would be called up on the 18th
inst. The Morgan Cuban resolution
again went over. The sundry civil bill
was considered but was not completed.
The item Of $2333, 1888 for continuing
the improvement of the Mississippi
river from the head Of the passes to
the mouth Of the Ohio river was
amended so as to be Immediately
available. A further amendment by
MIR. Berry of Arkansas authorizing
contracts on all the contract items for
the Mississippi in the river and harbor
bill of last year was not agreed to. The
senate at $40 o'clock went into extcu-
tive session and then adjourned.
Washington, May 6.-The senate, by
vote of 43 to &c. refused to ratify
the general arbitration treaty between
the United States and Great Britain
negotiated by Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian Pauncefote. The rules of the
senate require majority of two
thirds for the ratification of treaties.
Hence four more affirmative votes
would have been required to secure u
favorable result. The vote was pre-
coded by short, spirited debate, in
troduced by Senator Mills of Texas,
who made strong appeal TO the SEN
ate against ratifying the agreement.
He asserted that as amended the doc
ament was most Objectionable. not to
say contradictory in terms. He point
ed out especially the provisions for
the settlement of controversies in re-
gard to territorial claims. The first
article of the treaty declared against
their inclusion, aud the sixth and
eighth articles made provision for
IL