The herald., 1897-05-31
PROMISING
PROGRESS
Is Made With the Tariff
Schedule Bills
THERE ARE BREAKERS AHEAD
SUGAR AND WOOL WILL CAUSE
DEBATE
In the Simpson Will Continue
to Embarrass the Speaker-Pos-
tai Policy Announced
THERE ARE BREAKERS AHEAD
SUGAR AND WOOL WILL CAUSE
DEBATE

close of the first weeks discussion Of the
tariff yesterday. that the sugar schedule
would be reached toward the close Of the
present week. The progress so far
made, while 1t was much less marked
yesterday than on previous days. sgen-
orally regarded as little less than phe-
nomenal. as modern tariff rebates go.
Senator Vest declares that the present
bill is as far advanced now as was the
Wilson bill after five weeks Of discuss
sion. while Senator Jones Of Arkansas
asserts that much Of the present bill was
passed over on the first day Of considera-
tion as was disposed in the Wilson
bill in three weeks The Republicans
generally concede that good progress hae
been made, but they are not inclined to
felicitate themselves too much until
they see what policy Is to be pursued
when questions Of more general interest
are reached than have yet been
broached.
The sugar schedule in all probability.
will excite more prolonged and animated
debate than any other in the bill. The
preparations for the discussion OF this
schedule. and several set speeches will
be made upon 1t. The indications are
that various other questions of general
interest will be considered in connection
with the sugar duty. Senator Pettigrew
is contemplating presenting his amend
ment against trusts in this connection
and 1t is certain that the Hawaiian ques-
tion will come to the front in an amend
ment providing for the continuance of
the reciprocity treaty with the Hawaiian
islapde. With reference to the Hawaiian
treaty there is no longer much room for
doubt that provision will be made to con-
tinue the present treaty in effect. It Is
probable that this will be done by d.
rect ~ :. j biIf
shall be construed as abrosating the
treaty. The Republican members OF the
committee are contemplating this
change. If Senator Pettigrew insists
upon offering the trust amendment to
this schedule he will precipitate one Of
the most interesting debates Of the ses-
sion. The Republicans are not yet de-
cided whether they will caucus on the
sugar schedule, but there is more or less
talk to this effect.
There are two schedules to be consid-
cred after the conclusion of that under
present discussion before the sugar
schedule can be reached. There are the
metal and wool schedules The metal
schedule II not especially Objectionable
to the Democrats. containing, as it does
many of the Wilson law rates, but 1t is
more or less complicated, and will
necessarily consume time. The wool
schedule will develop no little antago-
nism on account of the duty on lumber
There win be quite q determined effort
to restore white pine lumber to the free
list.
The Tlllman resolution for a sugar in
vestigation probably will be reported to
the senate Tuesday. It will be passed
without difficulty when taken up. ac-
cording to the present outlook, but Sem
ator Tillman will find opportunity to
make another epeech If there Is any ap-
parent effort at delay. The senate will
not be In session tomorrow, having ad-
tourned over on account Of DECORATION
day.
IN THE House
WASHINGTON, May 30-The attempt
to embarrass Speaker Reed for the pro-
gram Of inaction pursued by the major
ity has become the settled policy of Rep
reEentative Simpson and other mem
bcrs Of the minority, and the sessions of
the house this week will witness a con-
tinuation of these tactics. The confer
ence reports on the sundry civil and In
dian appropriation bills are ready for
consideration, and the leaders would like
to dispose Of them. But the difficulty
now is that many of the members have
gone home, and at present there Is no
quorum in the city. This will interfere
with the desire Of the members to re-
cess until Thursday, when the house
meets tomorrow, and compel an adjorun-
ment until Thursday. On that day IL
quorum 10 present the house will pro-
ceed with these two conference reports,
and also the bill carrying appropriation
for the government printing oface.
POSTAL POLICY
WASHINGTON. May S0.-The policy
Of the postoffice department as to the
appointment of minors in the postoffices
has been definitely fixed, and they will
be debarred from chief clerkships and
deputy postmasterships except in few
Of the third class Offices, where circum-
stances urge their peculiar fitness. Even
then they will not be allowed to become
acting postmasters on account Of the le-
gal declaration that contracts made by
minors are violable. This effectually
debars them from being even tempo
rarily postmasters, 50 far AZ the as
sumption of the responsibilities OF that
Office is concerned. An instance Is at
Madison, Ind, where M g. Garber ap-
piled for the appointment Of a person,
less than eight years old a. chief clerk
and deputy postmaster. An inquiry
from the postmaster had deduced the
statement that it is inadvisable for
town the size Of Madison. having q pop
ulation Of about 1900. to take such
action. The department regards It as
against public policy and the interests
|of the service ia appoint minors. though
except - to tbs acting dutiee ot post