Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-25

Action of the K&pdblican Senator, In
Caucus.

Caucus.
The republican senators decided in caucus
last night by a v ote of % to II to sustain
the action OF the finance committee ir
placing duty upon hides, but did not pesa
upon the question OF the amount of til.
duty to be imposed
The committee was also sustained in the
| rate fixed upon imported wrapper tobacco
The only other disputed questions consid.
cred were watches and watch Jewels. and
upon these the finance committee was re-
versed, the House rates being accepted or
watches, and watch Jewels being made
free.
Senator Lodge led the contest against
the action of the finance committee in tax.
ing hides from the free lists, and was
seconded by Senators Hoar, Plat, spooner
and others, while Senators Nelson, Allison.
Warren and Gear spoke for the duty
Mr.. Lodge contended that the duty, If
imposed. would not be of any consequence
as revenue item. and that it would add
nothing to the farmers returns on his cat
tle, while 1T would have the effect OF
manufacture. which had grown to i'm
mense proportions under the system OF
free hides. He said that the exports of
leather goods amounted to $20.0O0.0O0 per
annum and asserted that If a stiff duty
should be imposed the industry would be
greatly checked.
In reply the western senators claimed a
direct benefit to the farmer from the duty
and asserted that he was as much entitled
to the protection 1t would give as were the
manufacturers to :he assistance they
would receive from other duties.
The vote was on the general proposition
to impose duty without regard to rates
The fixing of this, 1t was understood, should
be left to the finance committee but the
expressions were so general in favor Of tine
ad valorem rather than the specific system
that the committee probably will feel itself
instructed to substitute this system for the
1E-cent-a-pound rate originally agreed
upon. There was also general express
sion against any increase upon India
tanned goat and sheep skins.
The debate on the tobacco schedule was
confined to brief speeches by Senators
Hawley and Fairbanks. The finance COM
mittee had originally fixed the rate on I'M
stemmed wrapper tobacco at $50 rer
pound, In opposition to the House rate Of
81 per pound. The representatives of the
leaf growers Immediately began a conten-
ton for the restoration of the House rate
which was resisted by the smaller manu-
facturers. particularly of the western
states. The finance committee yielded to
the growers to the extent of advancing tie
rate to $1.75. Senator Hawley represented
the growers in their effort to secure 81
rate, and Senator Fairbanks the manufac-
turers in their attempt to hold the original
finance committee figures. The caucus de-
cided without division to stand by the
compromise rate of $1.75.
There was only one vote raised in opposi-
ton to the proposition to return TO the
House schedule on watches, and in addi-
ton to admit watch jewels free Of duty
The finance committee fixed uniform rate
of 40 per cent on watches while the House
provided a compound duty. 1t is to this
compound system that the Senate returns
The questions Of reciprocity, trusts and
Hawaiian sugar. beer. tea and internal
revenue were not discussed