Middletown transcript., 1897-07-10

i .-SWN hard to get the
/ w. tariff bill
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Sg% undisposed o I
amendments, could not overcome and
| the bill is still before the Senate, and
the Senators are working when most
other people are celebrating Independ-
ence Day in some pleasant manner. But
have the consolation of knowing that
they will certainly pass the bill this
week.
Probably no amendment added to the
tariff bill by the Senate will give more
general satisfaction than that which
imposes tax on every certificate of
stock and bond other than those issut d
by the Government, National, State or
Municipal. In addition to raising
reven ue to large amount from class
who will not find it a burden, this
amendment, if it remains in the bill
until il becomes law, as it probably
will, will drive the places known as
"bucBet shops" out of business, because
to fail to pay the tax on each transac-
tion will be to acknowledge that they
dc not actually sell the stock, but mere
ly accept bets on whether the price will
go up or down, aud to make their pro-
prietorS amenable TO the laws against
gambling; to pay the tax will bankrupt
them. It will probably also lessen the
business done in the legitimate stock
exchanges, because the tax will add to
the expense of buying and selling stock
for speculation, but there are thous-
ands who will regard it great blessing
to the country If stock speculation as q
business was entirely broken up. It is
business that produces nothing Sc
ffal and adds nothing to the real wealth
of the country, while it annually de-
moralizes and drives to the dogs thou
sands of business men who might con-
tinue to be useful citizens if it were
not for stock speculating.
There was an unusually large attend
ance at the meeting of the House today,
as all Republican absentees had been
notified to be present, because Of the
expe citation that the tariff bill would
be. sent back from the Senate. All of
the Republican Representatives now in
Washington, will remain in reach un-
til the tariff bill is disposed of. The
House took its usual adjournment un-
til Thursday, and it is hoped that the
Senate will have passed the tariff bill
before that day
The last Democratic Sc nator to find
out that Senator Chandler is always
loaded, was White, of California. Mr..
Chandler was making a few remarks
on the reciprocity amendment to the
tariff bill, which was reported from
the Finance Committee and adopted
by the Senate, when Mr.. White tried
10 be funny" by asking him If be had
been commissioned by the Finance
Committee to occupy the floor
until the next amendment was
ready. Quick as flash, Mr.. Chandler
responded, with an exasperatiDg smile:
tOh no; have been asked merely to
occupy the floor to lcok out for any
thing that the Senator from California
may say worthy of notice, As moth
ing Of the kind has occurred, will con-
tinue TO confine my remarks to recipro-
cily.0 Mr.. While dropped into his
seat aid sought consolation by putting
extra vigor in the movement of a big
palm leaf fan, while Senator Tillman,
who had received his dose of Chandler
drops before, made no attempt to con-
ceal broad grin.
1t is learned from authoritative
source that President Mckinley may
send special message to Congress in a
few days, strongly recommending legis-
lation for the appointment of Com
mission to investigate and report upon
the reform needed in our currency sys-
tem.If this message issent to Congress,
it will not be with the expectation that
the matter will be acted upon at the
present session, but for the purpose Of
getting it before the country for discus
81 on and suggestion. 1t is pretty thor
ougtly understood that no other legis-
lation will be taken up by Congress
after the tariff bill is disposed of.
Mr.. N. B. Scott, the West Virginia
member of the Republican National
Committee, says lie has information
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that the big strike in the coal mines is
part of a Democratic scheme to carry
Ohio. He says The idea of the Demo
cratic instigators of the strikers that it
will cut off the supply of oaland result
in at least partial paralysis of the big
manufacturing industries of Ohio.
Then they will charge the Republican
party with The responsibility for that
condition of affairs an d win make an
attempt to hold up Senator Hanna asI
an oppressor of Labor. Mr.. Scott add
ed that he did not believe the scheme
would succeed. and that the strikes
uouId do the Republicans Of Ohio little,
| If any harm.
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