The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-04

MATTINGS AND RUGS.
Washington, MAY 3.-The tariff bill
to-day. An effort will be made to have it
completed to morrow, but it is possible
that Wednesday may come before the bill
is finally ready. II has been found that
there are quite number Of minor mat
tiers yet to be considered. Senator Platt,
of Connecticut, is still absent on his
honeymoon, besides which the requests
which have been made by Senator Jones,
of Nevada, demand careful attention
1t will be fully ten days or two weeks
yet before the bill is taken up in the
Senate. Senator Wolcott, who leaves for
Europe enrly next week OIL his mission in
behalf of international bimetallism,
would like to see the measure out Of the
committee before he departs. but it, is
hardly likely that his desire will be graf
flied. The Democrats on the committee
will ask the Republicans to point out to
them the effect of the new rates on every
schedule aud besides this they will en-
ploy experts to make comparative state
merts in order that they may he fully
equipped with facts and figures when the
debate commences.
1t has been decided positively that there
will he no duty on either tea or coffee,
although propositions looking to n reve-
nue. duty from both or the articles have
been considered. The tax on tea has been
asked by the tea importers of New York
on the ground that it would tend to keep
out of this country q vast quantity of poor
and adulterated stuff which passes under
the name of tea, and they point to the
fact that Russia, which is the greatest
teaconsuming country in the world. has
duty of 40 cents per pound on tea and
yet the very finest grades of the article go
to Russia. The revenue from ten would
be about 1000, 900 u year ard from
coffee about SIG, 100000. 1t is expected
that the reduction of the tax on whskey
will bring in an increased revenue from
that source. but up to the present time
no decision has been reached on beer. An
increased tax of 81 barrel on beer would
mean S30, 100000 more revenue, while
%1.5O tax would mean $40, 0U0,000 The
members of the com mittee feel that this
tax ought to be imposed and they are
tware that it would make no difference to
/ he consumer, but they are afraid that the
increased tax will be made political
question and that the Republicans will
suffer in the loss of the naturalized vote.
In connection with the tariff bill very
interesting situation has arisen The
committee has placed IA high duty on mat.
ting and on rugs, and several other much.
used articles imported from Japan. This
has greatly incensed the Japanese govern
rnent, which has Informally served notice
through It's minister here that if these
proposed high rates are persisted in the
Japanese government will retaliate to the
extent of its ability. Among other things,
the Japanese minister says that 10 more
warships will be built in this country.
Already Japan has placed orders here for
two warships, one to be built by Cramp,
in Philadelphia, and the other by Scott,
on the Pacific coast. Other ships were to
he built Mt II cost of some six or seven
million dollars, out it now. looks as if the
American shipbuilders were to lose this
immense amount of money. In addition
to this Japan is large consumer of pc
troleum, which it has obtained from this
country, but now it is understood that
Russian oil will be purchased, thus cut
ting OFF very large revenue from an
American corporation. Tariff experts say
that if this commercial warfare is waged
against the United States by all coun-
tries from which we import largely the
United States will lose far more than it
will gain from the protection which the
bill proposes to give to American indus
tries. the attitude of Japan is causing
serious consideration, and confirms the
Judgment of the Senate committee in
making important reductions in the Ding
ley bill
While the Senate is waiting for the
tariff bill, there are a number ..of matters
to come up before it. One of these is the
motion of Senator Hoar to discharge the
committee on rules from the considera-
tion of the proposition to force vote at
the will of the majority, and this question
is expected to lead to an interesting de.
bate soon between Senator Hoar, who
will take the affirmative, and Senator
Gorman, who will argue on the negative
side. No vote is anticipated at this time,
but the subject will probably be IL fruit
full one for discussion.
1t is expected also that the sundry civil
bill will occupy IL considerable portion of
the time in the Senate this week. On
Wednesday afternoon the vote will he
taken upon the ratification of the arbitra-
ton treaty. There is great uncertainty
as to the fate of the treaty, and it now
looks as If the margin would not exceed
Two or three votes, whatever the result
may be. There are n few unascertaiccd
votes which will decide the result. a
canvass of the Senate shows 40 votes CIR.
tam for the treaty end % against it.
Twenty nine votes in opposition are suiii-
cient to defeat it, but the opposition does
not know just where these four votes can
lie found. There will be considerable
sparring over The treaty before the vote is
taken, but no prolonged debate is ex-
pected.
q III