Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-07-10
WASHINGTON LETTER
All Eyes Turned on the
Tariff Bill.
REPUBLICANS ON THE ALERT.
The Ohio Strike For Political Effect.
from Our Regular Correspondents.

ikAOh OOe AeCbu
WASHINGTON. July 5, 1897
Senator Allison and bis associates
worked hard TO get the tariff bill
through the Senate last week, but
fate, in the shape OF several undisposed
of amendments, could not be over
come aud the bill is still before the
Senate, and the Senators are working
when most other people are ceIebrat-
ing Independence Day in some more
pleasant manner But they have the
consolation OF knowing that they will
certainly pass the bill this week
TAX ON STOCK.
Probably no amendment added to
the tariff bill by the Senate will give
more general satisfaction than that
which imposes a tax on every certifi-
cate of stock and bond other than
those issued by the Government, Ma
tional, State or Municipal In addi-
tion TO raising revenue to a large
amount from class who will 1t find
it burden, this amendment. if il re-
mains in the bill until it becomes a
law, as it probably will, will drive
the places known as bucket shops''
out of business. because TO fail to nav
the tax on each transaction will be to
acknowledge that they do not actually
sell the stock. but merely accepts bets
on whether the price will go up or
down. and to make their proprieJors
smenable TO the laws against gambling
to pay the tax will bankrupt them. 1t
will probably also lessen the business
done in the Legitimate stock exchang-
es, because the tax will add to the ex-
pense of buying and selling stock for
speculation, but there are thousands
who will regard it great blessing to
TO the country If stock speculation as a
business was entirely broken up. 1t is
business that produces nothing USE
full and adds nothing to the real wealth
OF the country, while it annually de-
mOralizss and drives &c the dogs ehcus-
auds of business men who might con-
tinue TO be useful citizens if it were
not for stock specializing.
THE TARIFF BILL.
There was an unusually large at
tendance at the meeting of the House
today, as all republican absentees had
been notified TO be present, because of
the expectation that the tariff bill
would be sent back from the Senate
All Of the republican representatives
now in Washington, will remain in
reach until the tariff bill Is disposed
Of. The House took its usual adjourn
that the senate will have passed the
tariff bill before that day.
VERY FUNNY.
The last democratic Senator TO find
out that Senator chandler is always
loaeed, was White. OF California Mr..
Chandler was making a few remarks
on the rec procity amendment to the
tariff bill, which was reported from
the Finance Committee and adopted
by the Senate, when Mr.. White tried
TO be 'funay' by asking him il he had
been commits stoned by the Finance
Committee to occupy the floor until
the next amendment was ready Quick
as flash, MIR. Chandler responded
with an exasperating smile: "Oh no
have been asked merely 20 occupy
the floor to look out for anything that
the Senator from California may say
worthy OF notice. AS nothing of the
kind has occurred, / will continue TO
contine my remarks to reciprocity 4"
Mr.. White dropped into his seat and
sought consolation by putting extra
yigor in the movement OF a big palm
leaf fan, while Senator Tillman, who
had received his dose of Chand 'er
drops several days before, made no at
tempt to conceal broad grin.
OHhhhNOa RkFOaM.
1t is learned from authoritative
source that President Mckinley may
send special message to Congress in
few days, strongly recommending
legislation for the appointment OF d
Commission to investigate and report
upon the reform needed in our present
currency system If this message j.
sent Co Congress, it will not be with
the expectation that the matter will
be acted upon at the present session
but for the purpose OF getting it .,e-
fore the country for discussion anC
suggestion. 1t is pretty thorough,
understood that no other Legislation
Will be taken up by Congress after tn,
tariff bill is disposed of.
DEMOCRATIC SCHEME.
Mr.. n. B. Scott. the West Virgins
member of the Republican Nstiona
Committee, says he has information
that the big strike IN the coal mines i
part of a democratic scheme to carr,
Ohio. He says the idea of the demo
cratic instigators of the strike is that j
will cut of the supply of coal and re
suit in at least a partial paralysis O
the big manufacturing industries O
Ohio. Then they will charge the re
publican party with the responsibility
for that condition of affairs and will
make an attempt to hold up Senate
hanna as as an oppressOr of Labor al
Scott added that he did not Believe tn
scheme would succeed aud that tn
strikes would do the republicans @
Ohio little, if any harm.