Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-07-24
MAY soon ADJOURN.
A Possibility That Congress wiz
Quit on Saturday.
NAY VOTE on The TARIFF FRIDAY.
A Resolution Passed In the House for N
Investigation Into the Restrictions
Placed ON Foreign sales of
American Tobacco.

WASHINGTON, July 22.-When the
senate adjourned yesterday, the under.
standing was general that the final
vote would be taken on the conference
report on the tariff bill not later than
Friday, but there was no formal agree.
ment to this effect Both Senators
Jones and White, who have been lead
ing the opposition to the bill on be-
half Of the democrats, expressed the
opinion that the vote would not be
postponed beyond this time. Senator
Allison also stated that, while he still
considered vote possible to-day, he
felt very confident that II would not
be postponed beyond Friday. In the
event Of a vote on the tariff Friday,
final adjournment is generally pre-
dictcd for Saturday.
The senate concluded the formal
reading OF the conference report yes
terday. The debate was spiritless In
the main. Early in the day Mr.. Jones,
of Arkansas, made contest against
the conference committee on the
ground that II had exceeded its au-
thority in so amending the paragraph
relating to printing paper rs to place
u retaliatory duty against the coun-
tries paying export bounty on wood
pulp. His point Of order was debated
Mt much length and finally overruled
by Vice President Hobart.
On hides, Mr.. Allen, Of Nebraska,
asked why the conferees had provided
O drawback of duty on leather ex-
ported, made from imported hides.
Mr.. Aldrich explained that the house
had insisted on the proviso, and he
felt that the drawback was payable
under the law without reference to
the provision. He thought that about
$500, 900 to s75O,OOO of revenue would
be obtained from the duty on hides,
and probably about half Of this would
be paid in drawbacks.
Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, spoke against
the bill as whole and incidentally re-
ferred to the present coal strike, con.
trasting it with the promises Of pros
perity.
Mr.. Teller and Mr.. Vest criticised
the hide amendment, the former say
ing that the drawback clause was in
the interest of eastern manufacturers,
as the western tanners, who did not
export leather, were getting no draw
back.
The conference amendment emitting
from the free list scientific books and
periodicals brought out q sarcastic
speech from Mr.. Vest.
The reciprocity amendment occa-
stoned lengthy debate. Mr.. Teller in
uuired why the president had been re-
stricted to two years in making reci-
procity treaties. Mr.. Allison explained
that 1t was desired to have our COM
mercial relations de finitely established
within q reasonable time. 1t was be-
|ieved this could be accomplished with
in two years.
Mr.. White criticized the provision
|thAt reciprocity treaties shall be APP
proved by congress. Congress had the
power to raise or lower duties without
waiting to approve treaty, and he
declared that this provision would
arouse criticism on the mental ability
Of the congress enacting 1t. Mr.. Alli-
son explained that congress had no
means of negotiating with foreign
Governments, SO that q treaty was
essential before any reciprocal plan OF
tariff reduction could be executed.
The conference amendment striking
lout the senate provision for stamp
tax on bonds and stocks also led to
discussion. In answer to inquiries,
IMr. Allison said the point had been
raised that an excise tax must be
levied on class of articles as whole,
while the senate amendment expressly
Excepted bonds of building associa-
lions and other classes Of bonds. This
objection was felt to be well taken,
and the bond provision was aban-
ldoned.
The formal reading of the confer
lence report was completed at $3.50
lo'clock. and the senate ut once went
Into executive session, adjourning soon
after.
i THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, July as.-When the
house met yesterday Mr.. Evans, OF
kentucky, from the committee on
WAYS and means, reported joint reso-
Tuition, which was passed, requesting
the president to make such investiga-
lions us will elicit all the facts in ref
erence to the restrictions put upon the
sale Of American tobacco in foreign
countries under what Is known as the
''regie," or government contracts. II
also authorizes the president to
enter into negotiations with govern
ments of those countries with view
to obtaining q modification OF these
restrictions Mr.. Linney, OF North
carolina, yesterday introduced q bill
to reduce the tax on distilled spirits 70
20 cents gallon. Mr.. Perkins, Of Iowa
called up a resolution for printing g.
500 copies of the house digest This
served Us an opportunity for Mr.. Simp.
son, of Kansas, to criticise the mode oi
procedure in the house, In the midst oi
which Mr.. Dingley moved an adjourn
ment till to-day, which was carried
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