The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-01
WASHINGTON.
from our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March 2t

The Mckinley tariff bill number
two got some very hard knocks in the
| House this week, and the outside
pressure was so heavy that Mr.. Ding
| ley was compelled to announce that
the Ways and Means committee had
decided to strike out that clause of
the bill placing duty on books and
scientific instruments for educational
institutions and add an amendment
putting those articles on the free list,
as they are at present. The demo-
Gratis of the House made the most of
the almost numberless unjust and un-
| called for determinations made by the
bill in favor of the few against the
many, but the speech made by Repre-
sentative McMillin naturally received
the most attention, both from the
opponents and friends of the bill, be-
cause of his position as the ranking
democrat of the Ways and Means
committee, and because on account
of his long experience in tariff matters
he had been requested by Representa-
tive Bailey to make the leading speech
against the bill In replying to Repre-
sentative Dingleys statement that the
increased burden of taxation imposed
by the bill was on luxuries, Mr.. Nc
Milln said: "The claim that the in
creased burden is on luxuries is not
sustained by the facts. Are coarse
shawls and knit goods luxuries ? Are
wool hats and overcoats luxuries ?
Are knives and forks in this urbane
age luxures And l beg with all
Difference to ask whether in the State
of Maine clean shirt has become
such a rarity that it is classed with the
luxuries 1 ask him when, among
Americans, the sugar that sweetens
tea and coffee became a luxury
when trace chains became luxury to
farmers Sir, not only is the bill itself
higher, but the different schedules
average above those of the Mckinley
bill" Mr.. McMillin also called at
tention to the fact that foreign govern
ments are already preparing to resist
this new assault upon commerce. He
also reminded the republicans that a
purchased verdict, such as they OBJ
tanned last November, would not be
allowed to stand.
Senators and Representatives have
had an excellent opportunity to OBJ
serve the sublime cheek and impu-
dence of the individual who bobbed
up in the late campaign as "Cousin
Osborne" and who has secured the
position of Consul General to London,
one of the best paying positions at
the disposal Of his cousin, Mr.. Nc
Kinley. 1t seems that in seeking and
obtaining this position "Cousin Os
borne" had overlooked an order O.
Secretary Olney, issued last October
regulating consular fees, which has
resulted in reducing the income o
Consul General to London from $50,
900 to $4,000 year to about $I2,
900. When "Cousin Osborne" founC
this out he was indignant, although
there are people who say that th'
reduced income of the Office Is abou
SIX or seven times as much as he ha
ever been able to earn in private life
Be that as it may, "Cousin Osborne
applied to Mr.. Mckinley to have tina
order of Secretary Olney's set asid
and the old scale of consular fee
resumed, but Mr.. Mckinley fearet
the scandal that would follow sue
action on his part, and said he woult
not do it unless Congress directed
to be done. This week "Cousin o.
borne" has been personally canvassin
Senators and Representatives to &c
their support for what would b
practically making him a present {
something like $4,000 year. H
hasn't received much encouragement
Whether the administration wi
make any use of the decision of tn
u. S. Supreme Court sustaining tn
Sherman antitrust law and includin
railway pools and agreements With
its scope, is a question that many me
al SOHSiCoo dAC AauSi ihtSiSo'SN a.
1t was maintained by Mr.. Cleveland
two Attorney Generals-Olney ar
Harmon-that nothing could be dor
under the Sherman law because
the decisions of courts against
validity. Now that the highest cou
has reversed those decisions and d
clared the law valid, there is an o
portunity for this administration
clear itself Of the charge of being t.
friendly to the trusts, by vigorous
prosecuting them, if it isn't afraid
do so.
The civil service law which stan
between the republicans and t
offices, was very viclously attacked
Senator Gallinger and others in t
debate which preceded the adopt
without a dissenting vote of Senai