The herald., 1897-07-02
By Decisions to Decrease
Duties
COTTON TIES AND BAecINo
ARE LIFTED BACK TO THE
FREE LIST
The Tax on Lumber Reduced One
Half-Tariff Bill Is Prac-
tically Completed
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-The finance
committee suffered several reverses dur
ing the progress of the tariff debate to-
day, being defeated on three important
votes. Cotton bagging was placed on
the free list, 80 to 25. and cotton ties
also by vote of 2s to rs. The duty on
white pine lumber was reduced from
81 to 81 per thousand-32 to 81.
The amendment on pine lumber occa-
stoned the greatest surprise and led to
general breaking up of party lines on
both sides Of the chamber. During the
early stages of the debate the duty on
lumber, including pine, was placed at
50, after a protracted contest. Today
Teller returned to the contest and moved
to place white pine lumber on the free
list The amendment was defeated by
the close vote of 80 to 80, four Republi-
cans-Baker, Carter, Hansbrough and
Quay-joining with the Democrats, Pop
ulists and Silver Republicans in the af-
firmative, while three Democrats-Ba-
con, McEnery and Martin-voted with
the Republicans in the negative.
Following up this close vote, Mantle
of Montana, Silver Republican, moved
to reduce the rate on white pine from
50 to 81, and this was carried by ma
jority of one. Two Republicans-Baker
and Carter-voted with the Democrats
in the Affirmative, and three Democrats
Bacon, McEnery and Martin-with the
Republicans in the negative. The bill
~x,.kI 4. .
the reciprocity section and some COM
paratively7 minor paragraphs.
Much progress was made today In
clearing up detached paragraphs here
tofore passed over. Only three of these
coal tar, potash and tea-remain, SO
that these items, the reciprocity Sec
tion and the brief internal revenue and
administration provisions are all that
remain of the bill to be disposed of before
the final vote Is taken.
The. tariff bill was taken up promptly
At the outset Sena tor Teller of Colorado
made inquiries as to reports that an
antitrust amen danent would be brought
in, but Senator Allison said, he did not
know what disposal would be made Of
the subject, as the Finance Committee
had taken no action.
Senator White of California remarked
that he thought the antitrust subject
had been dropped.
Senator Teller retorted that the
trouble was that neither he nor White
were members of the Republican eau
Gus and were, therefore, I'M the dark
The Senate, by vote of 80 to 25, placed
on the free hist cotton bagging, burlap,
grain sacks made of burlap and other
bags made of jute or hemp.
The Senate also adopted the tariff
amendment placing cotton ties on the
free list by vote of 30 to 49,
Paragraph AL, cocoa mating, was re-
considered, the paragraph being agreed
to as reported.
Allison reported back the amendment
to the coal paragraph offered by Mr..
White yesterday, allowing a drawback
of duty on coal used in American ves-
sells engaged in foreign trade and in the
trade between Atlantic and Pacific ports
of the United States. The original
amendment was modified by the COM
mittee to omit coastwise trade.
The amendment caused much debate
and several senators urged that It 60
over.
Allen of Nebraska proposed further
amendment allowing the drawback on
coal, not only to vessels but to "inhabi-
tants of the United States
Does that mean free coal?" asked
Clark of Wyoming.
Yes, free COAL" answered Allen, who
argued that the people were as much
entitled to the benefits of free coal as
were the owners of vessels
Platt of Connecticut stated that this
was not question of free coal, but sim
ply one as to giving American vessels
the same advantages enjoyed by for
eign vessels.
Allen and Clark became involved In
a sharp personal colloquy concerning
the formers reference to pauper labor
in the coal mines and Clark Indignantly
resented the implied insult to the coal
miners, and Allen disclamed, any such
purpose.
After further debate Aliens amend
ment was rejected and the committee
| amendment allowing drawbacks to
American vessels was agreed to without
division.
Spooner of Wisconsin gave notice OF
comprehensive amendment providing
for the assignment of three general ap-
praisers to make an investigation of all
questions relating to tariff; the condi-
ton of industries which are affected by
the tariff; the condition of industries
abroad which compete with American
industries; the differences in labor cost
here and abroad; also to make an an
alysis of the schedule of this tariff bill
with view to correcting any inequali-
| ties that may exist. The result OF the
| inquiry is to be reported to the secre-
| tary of the treasury and to congress.
| The proposed amendment placing cot
| ton bagging on the free list was then
| considered at length.
Pettus of Alabama had previously
given notice of the amendment as fol-
lows: Tagging for cotton, gunny
cloth and all similar materials available
for covering cotton, composed wholly
or in part Of hemp, fax, jute or jlRa
| butts. = !.
Pettus spoke in support Of the emsnd.