The herald., 1897-03-20
IN COMMITTEE
Democratic Dissension VIII Result In Tv
f1inority Tariff Reports

Democratic Dissension VIII Result In Two
r1inority Tariff Reports
WASHINGTON, March 19.-Dissen-
sions have arisen among the Democrat
ic members of the ways and means COM
mittee, which may result in the presen-
tation of two minority reports on the
tariff bill.
Bailey of Texas, who is at the head of
the minority committee, in virtue of his
position, will write the main report, but
1t Is not improbable that some of the
Democratic members will decline to sign
1t. Mr.. Bailey differs from his Demo-
cratic colleagues radically on the sub
| ject Of free wool, and yesterday, when
McMillin and Wheeler offered amend
| ments in the committee, the former to
place wool on the free list, and the lat
| ter to make the minimum duty collected
| on wool not to exceed rs per cent ad
valorem, he voted against the McMillin
amendment and declined to vote on that
| offered by Gen. Wheeler.
| Mr. Bailey takes the position that the
Chicago platform. by implication, op-
posed free raw materials, especially free
wool, the great product of the west. The
plank of the Chicago platform held that
tariff duties should be levied for the pur-
pose OF revenue, schedules to be SO ad-
justed as to operate equally throughout
| the country and not discriminate be-
tween class or section"
McMilln and several Of the other Dem
ocratic members Of the ways and means
committee, who are ardent silver men,
cling to the free wool idea, and claim
that the Chicago platform does not run
counter to their position. But some of
the Democratic members. like Wheeler,
who favors free wool, are opposed to free
coal and iron, which were classed as
raw materials" by the supporters OF
the original Wilson bill. In fact, Gen.
Wheeler made a speech against the
features Of that bill.
| IN addition to the dissensions over the
question Of free wool and "other free
raw materials" there is a strong intim-
alton that Robertson of Louisiana. one
of the new Democratic members of the
committee, will in words indorse the
sugar schedule. 1t is possible, however,
that the present complication may be
smoothed out In some way. and that
Bailey may be able to write report in
which all his Democratic colleagues can
join. Effoits to this end are now being
made, as the Democrats are anxious to
60 into the tariff fight with strong and
united front.
THE WOOL SCHEDULE.
A new paragraph has been added to
the wool schedule of the tariff bill by the
Republican members of the committee
as follows Oriental. Berlin and similar
rugs and mats and carpets whole for
rooms valued at not more than 80 cents
per square yard, 15 cents per square yard
and 20 per cent ad valorem; valued at
more than 80 and not more than 60 cents
per square yard, 20 cents and 30 per cent
ad valorem; more than so cents and not
moret han 81 per square yard. 40 cents
and 20 per cent: valued at more than 81
and not more than 81, 80 cents and 25 per
cent; more than 81 per square yard, 81. 25
and 80 per cent.
THE HOMESTEAD BILL.
The senate committee on Indian af-
fairs, after some opposition on the part
of Senator Platt Of Connecticut, ordered
the free homestead bill to be favorably
reported. The bill Is practically the
same measure which passed before the
extra session and which failed in the
house because of amendments made in
the senate amendments made 1t Of gen.
| house, applied only to Oklahoma, but
the senate amendmentsr made 1t of gen.
eral application. The refusal Of the
house to consider the bill as amended
caused some feeling on the part Of its
friends which may find expression in the
senate when the tariff bill is taken up by
| that body. The purpose Of the bill is to
permit the acquisition Of free homes
under the homestead law on lands ceded
by Indians just as any other part Of the
public domain. Senator Platt opposed
| the bill on the ground that it will cost
the national government several mil
| lion dollars. The committee also con-
sidered favorably the bill providing for
| the taxation Of land awa1ded to Indians
| in severalty.
SESSION NOTES.
| The president. after consideration Of
| the subject by the full cabinet at noon.
acce pied the resignation of Washing
| ton McC1urg as postmaster at Chicago.
| The senate has confirmed the follow
| ing nominations: Postmaster, Charles
U. Gordan. at Chicago; Justice, Samuel
| e. Kerehoval Of Indiana. to be marshal
| for the district Of Indiana; Albert w.
| Wishard Of Indiana, to be attorney for
| the United States for the district Of
| Indiana: Perry 8. Heath Of Indiana to
| be first assistant postmaster general.
The president this evening accepted
| the resigation of James W. Lamoreaux
a. commissioner Of the land off1ce 1t
is quite probable that Congressman
! Hermann Of Oregon win be appointed
| to the vacancy.
The secretary Of the treasury has ap-
pointed A. p Upham and f. "A. Schover
Of Chicago. Herbert q. Woodsworth Of
| Boston. T. A. Phelan and w. p. Roeim
Of New Fork. Andrew n Irwin Of Phil