Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1897 — NATIONAL SOLONS. [ARTICLE]

NATIONAL SOLONS.

REVIEW OF THEIR WORK AT WASHINGTON. Detailed Proceeding* of Senate and liouaa—Bill* Passed or Introduced in Either Branch—Question* of Moment to the Country at Large. The Legislative Grind. As a result of the rapid work on the tariff oili Wednesday the close of the long debate in the Senate and the final vote on the bill is felt to be very near at hand. Two.of the most important provisions —those relating to the Hawaiian treaty of reciprocity mid the duty on coal —were perfected, while another source of much conflict, the reciprocity section, was matured by the Finance Committee and pre sented to the Senate. Aside from these larger items a great many minor ones which have caused more or less conflict were disposed of. The Hawaiian provision of the House bill was restored after brief debate and without the formality of a vete. Ibis has the effect of leaving the Hawaiian treaty of reciprocity in full force and effect. During the day Mr, Turpie of Indiana spoke in support of the amendment for a 2 per eent. tax on inheritances. His speech was notable for the picturesque metaphors and the virulence of his denunciation ol the pending bill. The Finance Committee suffered several unexpected reverses during the progress of the tariff bill 'Thursday, being defeated on three important votes. Cotton bagging was placed on the free list, 30 to 25. and cotton ties also, by a vote of 2'J to 23. The duty on white pine lumoer was reduced from $2 to $1 per thousand, 32 to 31. The bill is now completed, witli the exception of the reciprocity section and some comparatively minor para graphs. Much prog.ess was made in clearing up detached paragraphs heretofore passed over. Oiry three of these—coal tar, potash and tea—remain. The House held a brief session, at which noth ing was nrcomplished Reciprocity and retaliation were the two phases of the tariff bili to occupy the attention of the Senate Friday to the exclusion of all other subjects. Both provisions were agreed to, although the debate on the reciprocity clause was protracted to (1 p. m. The retaliatory clause provides that whenever any country bestows an export bounty on any article there shall be levied, in addition to the duties piovided by the act, an additional duty equal to the amount of the bounty. The reciprocity clause empowers the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make reciprocity treaties giving 20 per cent, reduction in duties on designated articles or placing articles on the free list. The Senate disposed of two tariff amendments Monday, that placing a stamp tax being agreed to with little or no opposition and without the formality of a vote, while the Spooner amendment, proposing a tariff investigation, was withdrawn after a protracted struggle. The stamp amendment, as agreed to, fixes the following rates on bonds, etc.: “Bonds, debentures or certificates of indebtedness issued after Sept. 15, 1897, by any association, company or corporation, on each SIOO of face value, or fraction thereof, 5 cents; and on each original issue, whether an organization or reorganization of certificates of stock by any such association, company or corporation, on each SIOO of face value or fraction thereof, 5 cents; and on all transfers of shares or certificates of stock in any association, company or corporation, on each SIOO of face value or fraction thereof, 2 cents.” Exemptions from the stamp taxes are made in the case of State, county and municipal bonds, and the stocks and bonds of co-operative building associations. Tuesday the Senate agreed to devote one more day to discussion of the tariff under the five-minute rule, and then proceed to vote. The beet sugar bounty clause was withdrawn. Mr. Bacon made a personal explanation of his vote for Mr. Mills’ amendment to impose a tax of 5 per cent, on all manufactured products. He had, he said, given the amendment his vote without due deliberation. If the imposition of such a tax could be confined to the sugar trust and other gigantic concerns existing in open violation of the law it would, upon meditation, commend itself to his judgment, but as it would touch every village and hamlet in the land and lay its hand upon the most humble he frankly avowed his regret for the vote.