New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-17
Colgate's
Cashmere Bouquet
Toilet Soap.
WORK PROMPTLY BEGUN
THE NEW WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
TAKES UP THE TARIFF BILL

REPUBLICANS TO THE DEMOCRATIC MEM
BERs-THE MEASURE TO BE RE
PORTED BACK TO THE HOUSE
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Washington, March l6-At 10 o'clock this fore
noon the Committee on Ways and Means when
was appointed at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon
had its first meeting, and the Tariff bill was
laid before IL by Chairman Dingley. All the
members OF the committee were present. AFTER
general discussion Of the measure which lasted
70. some time, the various schedules were taken
up in such order as the minority suggested IN
the preparation of the bill by the Repubhcahs
all Of them acted together on each schedule as
we'll as on the other provisions, but each MEM
her at the same time devoted especial attention
to one or more of the schedules so as not only
10 be able to enlighten his colleagues In regard
TO obscurities and difficulties therein contained
hut also to answer the objections and criticisms
from opponents OF the bill or to particular pro-
visions The result of this course of procedure
has been 20 give every member of the majority
fun and accurate knowledge of the measure as
a whole as we'll in its details and prepare
him 20 discuss and defend it with readiness.
OF course this has been true III measure "a
regards the preparation of tariff bills by past
degree as in this case Chairman Dingley him
self is A statesman who has earned high repu-
tat,on not only as a thorough master of the
general principles which underlie safe and sounI
economic and financial legislation, but also fer
his mastery of details, and richly does he de-
serve H. In the preparation of the penang Dill
he has been exceedingly fortunate in being as
ISOLATED with men whose industry and zeal were
not inferior to his own. whose abilities are OF d
high order and who have worked together in
perfect harmony
THE DEMOCRATS OBJECTION.
These facts became strongly impressed upon
The minds of members OF the minority or the
committee in to-day's discussions. which occu-
ped as much time as would be allowed Tor
DAVIS work under the eight hour law OF course
NEST Of them had what theY regarded as strong
objections and formidabl rcuments to urge
against the bill as a whole. AID especially against
some Of it's more important provisions ana one
or t,yo Of them were as ready to prophesy the
evils which would result from the measure as
they were three years ago TO pTophesy the bless
;ngs that would flow from the Wilson Dill Inc
failure of their prophecies on that occasion mas
not tended. apparently, to diminish thelr con-
fdence in their own prescience. however H'uci
IL NAV have done so in the estimation Oh others
a (
,ac,, and oppose the bill in general and in detail!
and declare that 1t is "worse than the Mckinney
bill" and yet indications have already APP
peaved which denote that the minority OF the
committee although it is wholly composed OF
Southern men NAV not We solid in its opposi-
tion IN the ,nea are as a whole. H. any event
me opposition will not be so aggressive ana
united as was that of the Democratic minority
~ the WAYS and Means Committee to the NC
Kinley bill in the List Congress
II s exrected that the minority VIII oner
number Of amendments at to-morrcws sittihgs
Of the committee and it is of course possible
that some of them will he dopted, although
that Is not regarded as propalle. one mem
her 81 the committee expressed the opinion la'e
This afternoon that the consideration or inc
hin would be finished this week, and that u
would pc reported To the House on MONDAY.
There does not seem to he any disposition on
the part Of the majority TO push the matter 10
a conclusion With unreasonable haste, nut tne!
fully realize the importance OF dSpCsing Of 1t
in committee and bringing the bin into the
House as soon as practlcaDle
REVENUE EXPECTED FROM SUGAR.
The discussion to-day covered wide range
~ McMilin and General Wheeler taking the
leading parts in behalf Of the minority. Con-
corning the sugar schedule. Mr. Payne asserted
that II was substantially a return to the law OF
1885 lie said that the proposed rates "ould
he eauivalent 10 an al vaorem duty of - per
cent On 81 per cent Of all the sugar imported and
thai the schedule contained no concealed differ
entail between raw and refined sugar, as does
the existinc law While the revenue which
sugar would yield had not been accurately cal
cu'ated. 1t would bring from SlGQoooo to
sI0 OoO 600 more into the Treasury than under
the Wilson-Gorman law. Mr. Robertson OF
Louisiana expressed the opinion that A'o'oooUo
could he expected from this sugar schedule.
In the consideration Of the agricultural sched-
nile Mr. Dolliyer explained that the countervailing
duty on fish 20 Offset bounties paid by foreign
Governments was directed against France The
Democrats objected to the imposition or duty
~ onn-baN cent on fresh fish, which now on
the free list. They also contended that the pro-
posed rates on seeds are double the Mckinney
duties The Southern members took an interest
In the rice paragraphs 1t was explained that the
increased rate broken rice had been levied TO
discourage the growing practice OF breaking rice
which is brought in for the use OF breweries be-
fore rs ir1portation to secure the advantage OF
tie cheaper rates. The duty Of . cents pound
on chiccory root which is now on the free list ana
which is used as an aduterant of coffee. Mr. Dol
liver explained for the benefit Of the Middle
West where chccory growing is new industry.
THE GLASS SCHEDULE.
When the glass schedule was reached General
Wheeler criticised the increase on duties on cast
polished plate glass 16x2i from to 8 cents, and
ON 24x3O from 10 to Is cents. the increase being
oyer the Mckinley rates. Mr.. Dalzell said that
itihad been demonstrated that the Mckinley du-
ties on plates Of these sizes not protective
hut TO Offset these increases the rates on plates
OF higher grades had been reduced.
The imposition OF q duty on cotton ties. now on
the free list was also opposed by the Democrats
Mr. Wheeler asserted that the American manu-
facturers were able not only to supply the home
market but to fill large orders for India without
any protection the article 1t was contended
by the Democrats that the additional duty OF one
fourth OF a cent on all articles OF steel, finished
cold would prove far reaching in its scope. The
average rate cutlery was said to be equivalen,
to about AS per cent ad vaorem. The Democrats
also opposed the proposed duty Of ~ thousand
on white pine which Is double the rate Of the law
Of 1890 They also criticised the paragraph plac-