The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-02
WORK ON THE TARIFF BILL.
Cotton Bagging and Ties Made Free
and DmfY on Lumber Cut.


WASHINGTON, July 1.-The finance
committee suffered unexpected reverses
during the progress of the tariff bill to-
day, being defeated on three important
votes. Cotton bagging was placed on the
free lst-30 to 25-and cotton ties also by
vote of 90 to 23. The duty on white pine
lumber was reduced from 50 to per 1000
80 to 81 The amendment on pine 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 81 after
protracted contest To-day Mr.. Teller re-
turned 10 the contest, and moved to place
white pine lumber on the free list. The
amendment was defeated by the close vote
Of 50 to 49, four Republicans (Baker, Car
ter, Hansborough and Quay joining with
the Democrats, Populists and silver Repub-
licans in the affirmative, while three DEM
ocrats Bacon, McEnery and MARTINI voted
with the Republicans in the negative. Fol-
lowing up this close vote Mr.. Mantle (silver
Republican, moved to reduce the rate on
white pine from 81 to 81, and this carried
by a majority of one. Two Republicans
Baker and Carter) voted with the DEM
ocrats in the affirmative, and three Demo-
Gratis (Bacon, McEnery and MARTINI with
the Republicans in the negative. The bill
is now completed, with the exception of the
reciprocity section and some comparatively
minor paragraphs. Much progress was
made to-day in clearing up detached para
graphs heretofore passed over. Only three
Of these-coal tar, potash and tea-remain,
SO that these items, the reciprocity section
and the brief internal revenue and admins
tratiVe provisions are all that remain OF the
RI Il lion ~ hDf
taken The near approach of the compile
ton of the bill was referred to in the open
ing prayer to the Senate to-day by Rev.
Hugh Johnson, who saic: I'VE recognize
Thy hand in this work of commercial leg
islation now near completion In SO short a
period of congressional history. we thank
Thee for the courage the disinterestedness
and the generosity exhibited by senators
and representatives and that party inter-
est and feeling and local interests have
been subordinated to the expressed will of
the majority in this legislation"
ANTITRUST AMENDMENT TALK.
When the tariff bill was taken up Mr..
Teller made Inquiries as to the reports that
an antitrust amendment would be brought
in. This was a most important matter he
said, and there should be ample time for
the consideration of it,
Mr. Allison said he did not know what
disposal was to be made of the subject, as
no action had been taken by the finance
committee.
Mr.. Teller said it had been reported about
the chamber that such an amendment had
been considered in caucus. He urged that
1t should not be brought in at the last mo-
ment for vote, "as that viii not be DONE
he added, with positiveness.
Mr.. Allison gave assurance that no such
hasty action would be taken.
Mr.. White remarked that he thought the
entire antitrust subject had been dropped.
THE trouble with the senator (White)
and myself answered Mr.. Teller, lis that
nf MAJ 1lafEG NJ hn HaTn fi1sar0
caucus and are therefore somewhat in the
dark
Paragraph All, cocoa mating was recon-
sidered, and the paragraph agreed to as re-
ported
Mr. Allison reported back the amendment
to the coal paragraph offered by Mr.. White
yesterday, allowing a drawback of duty on
coal used on American vessels engaged in
foreign trade and in the trade between At
lantic and Pacific ports of the United
States. The original amendment was modi-
fed by the committee to omit the coast
wise trade. The amendment caused much
debate and several senators urged that 1t
Mr. Allen proposed a further amendment
allowing the drawback on coal not only
to vessels, but to inhabitants of the
United States"
Does that mean free coal?" asked Mr.
'Yes, free COAL" answered Mr.. Allen
who argued that the people We're as much
entitled to the benefits Of free coal as
We're the owners of vessels.
Mr. Platt, of Connecticut, stated that this
was not a question of free coal, but simply
one as 10 giving American vessels the same
advantages enjoyed by foreign vessels.
Mr. Allen and Mr.. Clarke became in
volved in a sharp personal colloquy con-
cerning the formers reference to pauper
labor in the coal mines and MIR. Clarke in
dignantly resented the implied insult TO
the coal miners, and Mr.. Allen disclaimed
any such purpose.
After further debate Mr.. Aliens amend
ment was rejected and the committee
amendment allowing drawbacks to Amer
lean vessels was agreed TO without division.
PROPOSED TARIFF INQUIRY.
Mr.. Spooner gave notice Of a comprehen-
sive amendment providing for the assign
ment of three general appraisers to make
an investigation of all questions relating to
the tariff; the condition of industries
which are affected by the tariff; the condi-
ton of industries abroad which compete
with American industries the differences
in labor cost here and abroad; also to make
an analysis of the schedules of this tariff
bill with a view to correcting any inequali-
ties that may exist. The result of the in
quiry is to be reported to the secretary of
the treasury and to Congress.
The proposed amendment placing cotton
bagging on the free list was then con-
sdered at length. Mr.. Pettus had previous
Iy given notice of the amendment as fol-
lows: "Bagging for cotton, gunny cloth
and all similar material suitable for cover
ing cotton, composed wholly or in part of
hemp, fax, jute or jute butts. Mr. Pettus
spoke in support of the amendment, saying
he desired to avoid party contest and ex-
pected to secure Republican votes.
Mr. White moved TO extend the amend
ment to burlap and grain bags made of
burlap. The debate was prOtracted and in
the main technical Mr.. Mantle and Mr.
White supporting the amendment and Mr..
Perkins opposing 1t.
AS finally amended the proposed para
graph is as follows: "Bagging for cotton
gunny cloths and similar fabrics suitable
for covering cotton, composed of single
yarns made OF jute, jute butts or hemp
plain woven fabrics, bags and sacks of sim
gle jute or hemp yarns, by whatever name
known, and burlap and bags for grain made
of burap." In this form the amendment
was agreed to-S0 to 25. The affirmative
vote was Democratic. Messrs. Allen Cam
non, Heitfeld. Kyle and Teller also voted
yea The negative vote was Republican
throughout with the exception of Mr.
Jones, or Nevada.
Mr. Bacon's amendment placing cotton
ties on the free list was then considered
and after a brief explanation by MIR. Bacon
was agreed to-29 10 23.
Charcoal. farlna and feldspar We're
stricken from the free list and coal tar
went over at the request of Mr.. Quay.
The House paragraph placing OH the free
list hides and skins not specifically provided
for was restored
The comrnittee paragraph (603) relating to
oils on the free list was agreed TO as re-
ported
Mr. Allison at first proposed substitute
for the proviso fixing retaliatory duty of
40 per cent. ad valorem on crude petroleum
coming from countries paving an exnOrf