Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-03-30
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, March So
SENATE.

| Alter the introduction OF large
number of bills, mostly for pensions
and private claims, Mr.. Mantle pre-
sented and had read by the clerk a res
olution of the board of sheep commits
sioners OF Montana, declaring that un-
less the wool growers of the United
States receive that ample protection
which was promised in the national
republican platform of 1896 the policy
of protection can be no longer main
tanned.
Mr.. Morgan offered resolution re-
questing the President to inform the
Senate whether letters have been re-
ceived by the present and former chief
executives of the United States from
Maxine Gomez, the commanding gen.
eral Of the insurlectionary forces in
Cuba-as published this morning; also
to furnish other information in rela-
ton to Cuba. The letters having been
read in full, the resolution and letters
were ordered to be printed and laid on
the table.
The resolution offered yesterday by
Mr.. Allen against the imposition OF
tariff duties for the advantage of special
classes was taken up and Mr.. Allen adj
dressed the Senate in advocacy of it..
Mr.. Allen argued that the power to
levy taxes be limited to the revenue
line. He declared that he placed him
self on the solid and impregnable
ground that Congress did not, under
the constitution, possesses power to
tax the people in order to enhance the
private fortunes of the few.
At the close of Mr.. Aliens remarks
the resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on finance.
The House amendments to the SEN
ate joint resolution (passed yesterday
appropriating S250,00O for the saving
of life and property threatened by the
great floods in the Mississippi valley,
were presented and agreed to; and the
Joint resolution now goes to the Presl-
dent for his action.
An amended certificate OF the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Corbett as Senator
from the State of Oregon was present
ed by Mr.. Mcbride and was referred
to the committee on privileges and
elections. The amendment consists in
substituting for the words ito occupy
same until his successor is duly elect
ed" the words "to occupy same un-
til the next meeting OF the legislature. "
The Senate then went into executive
session on the arbitration treaty.
HOUSE.
There was not quorum of the House
present to-day when proceedings were
begun on the tariff bill and Nh. Rich.
ardson called attention to the fact but
said he would not make the point, so
there was no delay.
Mr.. Dockery asked unanimous con-
sent that the free list might be consid-
I cred, in order that he might offer his
amendment putting those articles on
the free list controlled by trusts in the
United States, but Mr.. Payne objected.
The committee on ways and means
presented q number of amendments
agreed upon at their meeting last night.
Among them were these:
Making covered safety fuse dutiable
at IS per cent. ad valorem.
Arranging the duty on crude tartar
or wine lees to be half cent pound on
the article testing less than so per cent.
bitrate of potash, and cent a pound on
the article testing above that strength.
Reducing from 30 to 10 per cent. adj
valoren the duty on certain grades OF
hat and bonnet braids.
Restoring the language of the Nc
Kinley law relating to Moquette and
similar carpets and oriental rugs.
Mr.. Sayers, referring to Mr.. Payne's
statement last Saturday that the hides
imported into the United States were
principally from hot countries, such as
did not come into competition with
those produced in the United States,
quoted from the Treasury lists to show
as claimed q great variance between
the gentleman'5 statement and the
facts in the case.
MIR. Cannon said for a quarter of q
century free hides had prevailed, and
in that period the leather industries of
the country had prospered and grown
until they had practically conquered
the markets of the world. Now, he
was satisfied duty could be imposed,
without interfering, seriously at least,
with the leather industry. But he was
willing to trust to the committee on
ways and means, and would take the
bill as whole and if that commit
tee could see its way clear to
recommend the duty he would glad
ly follow its lead; just as he would
follow it in voting for reduction Of
duties on products of wooden manufac-
tues if the Massachusetts gentlemen
thought they were too high.
Mr.. Slayden said he was glad to see
that the normal republican conscience
was being stirred in spots, at least
The people of his district and of all the
range country were interested in this
matter, he said, and demand duty
on hides.
Mr.. Dingley said that the great body
of hides used in this country were pro-
duced as product and the price was
made here. AS to goat skins and
number of other skins for tanning, we
found that we did not have them
and that they must be imported.
That the the importstions of thick
hides except in few special cases
were dry hides for sole leather and
largely used for export because of our
cheap tanning materials, thus enabling
US to reach foreign markets with the
product. From this fact and fur
Their that but twice in the his
tory of the country-in 1915 and
1S52-had there been duty
imposed on hides, the committee con-
II, kof -,