The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-15
FROM THE CAPITAL.
AS TO THE DUTY ON SOFT COAL
ATnt Between MOrslp, OF OrAIabIm,, and DArIL .
West VIrElnis, to the Amusement OF Rspub.
lieanE-Ths Republican Senators Hold .
Caucus OF the Tariff Bill.

WAbHlNDToN, ttDTuAIy 4f.-4ue ceua1t
this afternoon got intoa protracted wrangle
over the proposition to non.concur in the
amendment OF the Committee Of the
Whole to increase the duty on bituminous
coal from so to 70 cents per ton. AS indi
Gated in these dispatches the Pacific Coast
Senators opposed the increase, while
Davis and Camden of West Virginia.. and
German OF Maryland advocated it. Davis
was particularly unfortunate in his remark
in alluding to the argument Of Senator
Morgan, Of Alabama, as unworthy o.
notice or answer. Morgan, by the way, ia
one Of the most polite and scholarly
members Of this Senate.
Mr.. Davis declared that the proposed re-
duction would ruin the coal mining in
dustry, when Mr.. Morgan made vigorous
attack on tariff revision. He declared
there had been trading all round for the
advantage Of certain sections; that the
lobby was large and influential, and thai
Senators had yielded to their persistent
and impertinent demands. 1t has been
shameless work on this floor. son this
floor" he exclaimed, "There haye been
nothing but swaps and trades and every
man here knows it, everybody feels it and
it will be proclaimed from the floor OF this
Senate until the people shall know and
feel 1t.
Later in the debate Mr.. Davis, Of West
Virginia, secured the floor and said the
statements from Mr.. Morgan were unwor.
thy Of attention.
"Are you not a large owner OF coal
mines2" asked Mr.. Morgan. interrupting
Mr.. Davis.
Certainly am" answered Mr.. Davis,
"are you not the owner Of the coat on your
back ~
"Yes," said Morgan.
"Did you not vote to put tax on cloth
ing" continued Mr.. Davis.
"No, sir" retorted Morgan.
"Well, sir" said Mr.. Davis, do moi
want to get into personal discussion on
this subject"
"When Senator" says my argument il
not worthy Of notice l want it understood
that that Senator is voting to put tax or
his own product and enrich himself"
Mr.. Davis here became very much con-
fused and declined TO continue the col
loquy and proceeded to make brief argu-
ment in favor of the rs per cent duty or
coal. His embarrassment was painful in
the extreme and for several minutes he
spoke incoherently in his effort to get back
to the line OF his remarks. Mr.. Morgan
observing his unfortunate discontinue re-
Trained from further interruption and Mr..
Davis at length got on the track and made
very fair business statement of his side
Of the question.
After brief conference between Davis
and German the latter addressed the Sen.
ate, and undertook to criticise the course
Of most every individual Senator on the
Democratic side. As might be expected
the assaults stirred up the Democratic
brethren, greatly to the amusement Of the
Republicans and protectionists.
Mr.. Camden's speech was brief, bu
pointed. He admitted he was pecuniaril.
interested in coal, but as his constituent
we're all more or less interested in bitumi
nous coal his vote would be to some exten
an impersonal one. The debate continued
at great length, after which the Senat
voted to sustain the amendment made il
the Committee OF the Whole, and left tn
duty on coal at seventy.fve cents per ton