New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-05
MINORITY MEASURES.
Bills Introduced by Dir. Williams
Indicate Democratic PoLcg.

Washington Dec Representative Williams of
Mississippi, the leader of the minority in the
House, to-day introduced a number of bills and
joint resolutions affecting the tariff and campaign
contributions These contemplate free trade with
the Philippines, reassembling of the United States
and Canadian Joint High Commission with a view
to freer trade relations between the United States
and Canada, and a minimum tariff for the United
States. The bill regarding campaign contributions
forbids federal corporations chartered by the fed
eral government engaged in interstate commerce
from asking for such contributions. These meas
ures it is believed, indicate the probable course of
the minority the subject of the tariff revision
and reciprocity and the question of contributions in
political campaigns.
Mr.. Williams said to-day that other bills NAV be
looked for, as he would not be satisfied with re-
vision to the extent indicated, but from his point
of view it merely the first step in the right
direction and invitation to the Republican party
TO declare good intentions. Mr.. Williams also intro
duced bill 70 authorize the imposition of an in
come tax. The Philippine tariff bill provides that
all articles, the produt and growth of the Philip
pines, shall be admitted the United States free
of import duty. and that all articles, the product
and growth of the of the United States shall
be admitted into the Philippines free of import
duty, and that nothing contained in the bill shall
be construed to repeal any provision of the Paris
treaty between the Unuited States and Spain.
Another bill proposes to establish minimum
tariff of the United States. 1t declares the exist
ing tariff schedules to constitute the maximum
tariff of the United States, and a reduction Of 20
per cent from them, or rates equal to four-ffths
of the existing duties, to constitute the minimum
tariff Of the United States. The bill extends the
operation of the minimum tariff to ali such coun-
tries grant admission to their markets of arti-
Giles the product and growth of the United States
az the minimum tariff rates levied by them Mr.
Williams said he had selected 20 per cent as the
amount of reduction TO be made in order to con-
stitute minimum tariff. although he thought that
he he fhan hot of
Difference to Republican opinions and to give Re-
publicans who are sincere and honest in their de-
sire to reduce the tariff opportunity to act and
with the knowledge of the fact that they would
meet no factious opposition. but the hearty sup
port of the Democrats.
Another bill by Mr.. Williams is to amend Sec
ton 16 Of the Dingley act. 1t forbids any com
mon carrier or transportation agency of any sort
including express companies. from Transporting
splfaLuous, yinous or malt liquors into any State
or municipality where the sale of liquor is for
hidden, when they carried C. O. D. or in any
manner SO that the carrier is charged with the
dnty OF collecting for the same of doing any
ofner act as agent Of the seller necessary
Mr.. Williams remarked that the credulity shown
when they voted the Republican ticket because of
the alleged expectation of Republican advocacy of
gree of faith corresponding st. Pauis definition
unseen u ''i''9'
The res tn regardgg joint high commission
view with pleasure the reconvening by the Presi-
dent of the Joint high commission appointed by
the governments of Great Britain, Canada and the
United States, for the purpose of securing freer
trade relations between the United States and
The bill regarding the campaign contributions
which indicates the trend of MIR, Williams's
thoughts and probably that of his party associates
in connection with the impression mace by the
late insurance investigation forbids any national
bank or any corporation chartered by the federal
government: or any corporation whatsoever en-
gagged in whole or in part in interstate commerce
from making contributions for the purpose of in
fuencing the result of any political campaign with
the intent of influencing the of legislation
before Congress, any State legislature or any mu-
ncipaI government; also that any in contra
Ventiop of this provision shall constitute mis-
demeanor, and shall subject the yiolator, on con
vfcton. to fine of not less than $500 and not more
than $4,000, and additional fine of double the
value of the money other thing of value found
to have been contributed promised.