New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-23
SENATORS AND THE TARIFF.
MIR. VAN WICK RETORTs UPON Mr. CoNGER-Ith
LUMBER SCHEDULE DISCUSSED.

MR. VAN WICK RETORTs UPON Mr. CoNGER-lHh
LUMBER SCHEDULE DISCUSSED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WAsuIyGToN. Jan. 22.-To-day Mr.. COnger, the
sarcastic Senator from Michigan, met an antagon-
list who is worthy of him. On Saturday senator
Van WICK offered an amendment 10 the lal'h pi,,
striking out the lumber schedule anu putting All
articles enumerated in it upon the free list. senator
Conoer naturally took the opposition in the in
terest of his constituents and brought
all his batteries of irony and ridi-
chile TO bear upon the head of the Senator from
Nebraska. When the Senate adjourned on Satur-
day Mr.. Van Wyck who had taken his punishment
smilngly and almost in silence, had apparently
been convicted of the inconsistency of working
against the true interests of his constituents; OF
political INCONSISTENCY and finally of dense lgno-
rance of the subject he had attempted.
To-day Mr.. Conger concluded, ana was then taken
in hand by the Nebraska Senator very much TO
the delight of Senators vino had on former occa-
slons suffered from the caustic tongue OF the Mlchi-
gan statesman. Senator Van Wyck assumed to
know very little of the matter in hand, but drew
his material, point by point. from the speech made
by his antagonist. Question after question was
asked of "my friend from Michigan, each calculated
to bring out some latent inconsistency or presenting
some dilemma one horn or the other of which the
Senator from Michigan would have to choose. lie
dwclt on the protection of an infant industry as Old
rs the continent; the sympathy manifested
for the American laborer 10y hiring thousands OF
Canadians, who came over, as described
so eloouently by the Senator from Mlchi-
gan. with their axes on their shoulders
to cut American timber and returned to their homes
after their seasons work to enjoy the fruits OF their
industry; the help extended to Lazarus by heapmg
ND the good things of the rich mans table, 50 there
might be more crumbs to fall OFF, etc, etc
Senator Conger maintained his poise for time
and parred the quick thrusts or returned them, but
as the pitfalls grew around him he turned red in the
face and relapsed into indignant silence. The de-
bate did not add largely to the sum of human
knowledge but 1T was highly enjoyable.
Senators McDill Bayard, Ingalls, Frye ana Me-
MILAN took part in the subsequent tax Which was
an interesting one covering ali phases of the timber
question. A substitute for the Van Wyck amend
Inent. putting all rough forms OF luul-
Der boards shingles, capOoards, ETC., upon the free
list and leaving those articles upon winch skilled
labor had been expended, as reported by the
Finance Committee, was adopted by a vote OF 70 TO
%. Ibis was all that was accomplished during the
Preceding the debate upon the Tariff bill the
Morrill, resolution for night sessions was us
cussed; Mr. Beck making IL the occasion Tor
n characteristic assault upon The larlu Dill, It's
inventors and supporters, in the course OF
which he belabOred the members OF the
Tariff Commission without STINT lhe debate dS-
closed "a strong opposition, even upon tne part Oh
some Republican supporters OF the farm OH, 10
that the Tariff bill should DO taken up at IL o'clock
every day ana be discussed until clock al nlsnJ
until it should be disposed Of. This VIII PROBABLY
be agreed TO tomorrow.