The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-17
WILSON TURNS SEER
AND PREDICTS DIRE THINGS If THE
TARIFF BILL is PASSED.
Author of the Deficit-Creating Law
Says DingIey's Measure VIII Plunge
the Nation Into Despair.
OTHER DEMOCRATS FEARFUL
1T WILL CUT DOWN THE REVENUES
OF THE GOVERNMENT.
Meanwhile Republicans Are Content
to Trust the Judgment of. the
Ways and Means Committee.
PETTlGREW AFTER TRUSTS
PROPOSES TO "BUST' THEM WITH
TARIFF BILL AMENDMENTS.
Senators Introduce Over 400 Bills and
Joint Resolutions and Discuss
the Henderson Case.
Meanwhile Republicans Are Content
to Trust the Judgment of the
Ways and Means Committee.
PETTlGREW AFTER TRUSTS
PROPOSES TO "BUST- THEM WITH A
TARIFF BILL AMENDMENT.
Senator's Introduce Over 400 Bills and
Joint Resolutions and Discuss
the Henderson Case.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. March 16.-Democratic
leaders say of the Dingley tariff bill that
instead of its giving relief and increasing
governmental revenue, it will cut down the
income and raise prices consumers by
prohibtive duties TO such an extent that
hard times will be prolonged and intens-
fled. This is Democratic speculation on old
familiar lines. and ii is no surprise to hear
free traders like eX-Postmaster General
Wilson declaring that if the Dingley bill
is passed by Congress it will plunge the
nation into despair. Mr. Wilson insists, with
a deficit of sls6.OOO,0Oo in the government
finances during the past four years star
ing him in the face, that there is no need
for new revenue law, and that all that is
required is for Congress to keep its hands
off, when prosperity will return on its own
account and the deficit will disappear. The
President. in his message, and Chairman
Dingley, in his statement explaining the
scope aid probable results of the tariff bill,
have given the keynote TO the discussion
of the press and in Congress in support of
the measure. The views and the facts
which are thus presented are susceptible
of unlimited elaboration.
Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Dakota, intends
10 Introduce element of discord into the
Senate tariff debate which threatens TO
take Up large amount of time not here
tofore considered. 1t is his purpose TO pro-
pose an amendment TO admit free of duty
all articles that enter into trust produc-
ton or control. and in order to make the
law operative. he has suggested, he pro-
poses TO authorize importers TO institute
proceedings in court TO put articles on the
free list which they discover TO enter into
the manufacture of any kind of merchan-
disc or production controlled by trusts,
thus making every importer detective
The ramifications of an amendment such as
outlined by Mr.. Pettigrew are infinite, as
nearly everything that is brought into this
country would be affected. Senator Petit
grew says he proposes to either have a uni
versal free list or bust the trusts" His
plan is pregnant of much tribulations. Mr..
Pettigrew is sailing at the present time
under political black flag and proposes TO
make the promotion of trouble speciality.
Republican leaders of the Senate are dis
cussing earnestly among themselves the
desirability and the feasibility of keeping
down general legislation at the special ses-
sion. AS a general proposition they are In
favor OF the idea but they fear they will
not be able to prevent the bars from being
let down, and once down there will be no
such thing putting them up again. For
instance, the railroads are very anxious 10
| have another try at the anti-scalpng ticket
bill and have already started in on cam
| paign in a quiet way. If this subject is
entered it will start an agitation that
| cannot be stopped, looking to a great va
| riety of amendments TO the interstate COM
| merce law. Hence the convervative ele-
| ments in the House and Senate are oppos-
| ing the railroad demands.
House members themselves are not anx-
| ious to be given their committee assign
| ments. There is plenty Of work for them
| without getting into the committee grind
| Republican congressman discover that
| there are several gentlemen in their sec
| tions who want offices. There are 65 900
| postoffices to distribute and sixty times
| 66, 600 applicants for these jobs The trans
| portation facilities are taxed to their limit
bringing in the mail from constituents who
| desire places.