The herald., 1897-04-16
CONFIRMATION
IN COMMITTEE
Senators All Anxious to Amend the
Tariff Bill

Tar1h Bill
WASHINGTON,Ap April 15-The Re-
publican Subcommittee of the senate
sion at the capitol today to afford an op-
portunity TO other senators to make sug-
gestions on the tariff bill. Among the
senators who called and had conference
with the committee were Messrs. Quay,
Sewell, Ellkins. Plat, Wellington, Per-
kins, Shoup, Pritchard, Baker and Har-
ris of Kansas.
Senator Quay urged a rate of duty
upon carpets and mating, which would
insure protection to the industries of
this country as against the products of
China and Japan.
Senator Perkins was given an ex-
tended hearing on the fruit schedule
He presented the committee with
samples of both California and foreign
currants and raisins, and asked for an
increase of the rate on Zante currants,
bring it up to 21s cents per pound. He
also suggested duty of a cent pound
on oranges and lemons, instead of three
quarters of cent, as fixed by the Ding
ley bill. 1t was suggested to Mr.. Per-
kins by some of the members of the
committee that the fruit schedule had
already been attacked because of rates
charged to be too high, but the Cali
fornia senator contended for thorough
protection.
Mr.. Perkins suggested a substitute
schedule on beet sugar providing for q
duty of one cent pound on sugar test
ing 20 by the polariscope, and in
creasing to 12 cents for the 80 per cent
test. The committee promised to give
the matter due attention, but gave no
further indications of the probable re-
suit of it's deliberations.
A more pronounced favorable recep-
tion was given to a suggestion for a
drawback duty on imported tin cans in
which fruits or salmon are exported.
This suggestion appeared to meet with
favor.
Senator Sewells suggestions pertain
ed to almost the entire list of New Jer-
sey manufactures, and he filed briefs
bearing upon all of them. He presented
request of the silk manufacturers for
a uniform 80 per cent ad valorem duty.
Senators Baker and Harris asked for
a duty of 81 per ton on gypsum and for
decrease of duty proposed on Mexican
cattle. They reported that there were
immense beds of gypsum in the west,
sufficient to supply the wants of the en-
tire country. With reference to cattle
importations, they represented that the
cattle were needed to consume the grass
crop of the west and that it was more
economical to move the cattle than the
grass.
Senators Elkins and Wellington both
appeared in support of the Dingley rate
on coal, which there is an effort to have
reduced. During the day a number OF
the Republican senators from the inter-
mountain states met to agree upon q
plan of cooperation. They reached no
definite conclusion except to stand to-
gether in their demands on wool, hides,
cattle, lead ore and other Rocky mount
ain products.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The senate committee on civil service
of which Senator Pritchard is chairman,
today decided to enter upon thorough
investigation of the extent to which the
civil service law is enforced and the
effect of It's enforcement in promoting
the public welfare.
Circulars are to be sent to the various
heads Of departments calling for replies
to several questions. The investigation
is to take place under authority confer
red by the Allen resolution, and will
be conducted by subcommittee con-
sisting of Senators Pritchard, Elkius
and Chiffon. The committee will make
especial investigation of the effect Of
the more recent civil service orders of
President Cleveland.