Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-12
THE NATIONS SCAPITAL.
Democratic Tactics With the
Senate Bill Become
MOnOtOnOuS.
Senator Vest Scores One
While German and Allison Hare a Bout
In Debate.
Senator Pry.'s Samoan Resolution Goes
Through.
The Direct Tax Bill Still Psrplsxing
the House
The Direct Tax Bill Still Perplexing
the House.


In the Senate MIR. Cockrell offered reso-
luton which was agreed To, calling for an
account Of the Expenditures made by the
late General Hancock in entertaining the
French officers on the occasion of the York
town celebration, and asking if such expen-
ditures have been refunded To Gen. Hancock
| or his estate.
Mr.. Fye's resolution of yesterday. re-
ferring to the Samoan Islands, was reported
back and agreed to.
At 1890 the Senate resumed consideration
of the tariff bill, the question being the
amendment to reduce the duty on beams
girders, etc.
Mr. West made some remark. in which
he denied the assertion that the late election
had settled the question of tariff legislation.
He was not disheartened by that result
Vest eontrsdicted the statement yesterday
of Sherman that the iron schedule was re-
ductit of 10 per cent duty.
Aldrieh explained the matter declaring
Sherman's statement correct,
Sherman said he was absolutely correct in
his statement.
Vest continued to discuss the metal sched-
ule. He spoke of the steel beam trust. the
profits made by Carnegie being over a mil
lion dollars on SO 900 steel beams.
Aldrich questioned the statement as to
Carnegie's profit. He referred TO the iufor-
nation given him by the superintendent of
Trenton Car Work. of Hewitt and Cooper
to the effect that the average cost of making
steel beams at those works from pig iron Was
more than 40 per cent per ton, whereas the
cost in Belgium did not exceed half that
amount. This $50 difference was almost
equal to the rate of dury proposed in the SUD
stllute. The difference in cost consisted in
the wages OF labor.
Vest characterized the steel trust al
gigantic ''devl fish of combination" which
puts an immense amount of money into the
pockets of its members in the name of
protecting infant industries.
German said he had never taken an ex-
treme view, either as to reduction or increase
of duties. The country had expected, howey-
sr there would have been moderate de-
crease of revenues so as to remove the in
rqualltes in the present tariff without in
terfering with ca pitsl invested or with labor
employed in manufactures; but in the midst
of presidential campaign and for political
purposes the Senate substitute had been
framed, its purpose being the reduction of
taxation on two CT three articles, principally
sugar and tobacco and increase on all other
products for the purpose of increasing, un-
duly, the profits of certain manufacturing
Interests in the North, and the Senate was
now met with the statement that there could
be no mOdi dcat.on or reduction of rates pro
posed, and the republican side of the cham
Der would vote solidly to keep the substitute
as it is. As to the item under consideration
he had no question that one cent Ger pound
would be ample duty on steel heams. Pro-
badly that rate would be more than was
necessary to protect that industry and all
labor employed in it. His impression was
however, that the rate proposed in the Har-
ris amendment would be too great a reduc
ton.
Aldrich-As one member on this side of
the chamber | dlsclaim entirely of occupy
ing any such position as the senator from
Maryland suggests
Gorman--I accept the statement of the
distinguished senator from Ohio Sherman
to the Effect that the substitute must be ac-
cepted in its details.
Allson-I entirely agree with the senator
from MARYLAND that this bill should be dis
cussed iu detail on the merits of each item
and as far as | am concerned ss member
of the finance committee ! disclaim any idea
that the bill Is in its details. expect the
finance committee itself will offer an amend
ment to it. think there are several defects
in it. | think those steel beam people can
get along with duty of one cent pound on
steel beams and at some proper time shall
be glad to offer that amendment for myself.
| disclaim presenting the bill to be put
through on party lines | shall listen with
pleasure to asy criticisms on the details of
the bill. The bill in its present frame
work is intended to protect American indus
tries and American labor, but as to details
stand ready TO listen TO amendments and
vote for them if they convince my judgment
that the rate 10 either too high or too low
think that some rates proposed are too low,
and have no doubt shall vote to raise them
If think them too high | shall vote to re-
duce them.
Gorman--I am very glad TO have that
statement from the senator from Iowa We
all understand why the Senate substi ute
wa. framed. We all understand that ii was
framed for political purpose. am not
complaining of that You (referring to the
republicsns) succeeded in the election. You
carried the country. Il was well and mag
niicentlv done on your part | have no
rgh, to complain. But now that the cleo
ton is over, now that your party has sue
ceeded and is soon to come in possession of
every branch of the government 1t is the
height of un wisdom to insist upon these un
duly high rates. There is no excuse for the
senator from Iowa voting with his party (as
he has done the past three days as unit on
every item II the senator ia convinced that
his bill is imperfect, if he believes there are
items in it which ought to be amended. why
not withdraw the bill an bring in measure
that's somewhat perfect? Why does he vote
down every amr ndment offered by a demo-
crat. whether il be right or wrong, and hold
,rtv that hnraaft tho
fnan e committee may offer amendments
covering tbs Sc cases? | dos't think any in
terest of the country demands this bill to be
pressed in a mere partisan spirit. am will
ing to take up every item in the bill and con
slider il and vote for it. | cannot vote for
the amendment offerod by the senator from
Tennessee for conceive that the amend
ment is too radical but do want a reduc-
ton of duty in that particular art Gle. We
will 20 to the country again on this subject
and hope our side will be able to show that
protection to American indu'tries to the full
| e.:en, of providing for the difference in the
cost of labor here and elsewhere, will be
made by this side. but that the sharp reduc-
tons advocated by republicans here and else
where. would build up monopolies away be-
youd everything ever dreamed of during war
times.
The debate wa. continued at great length
by Mcpherson. Allison, Vest, Aldrieh and
Gormau.
| Allison disclaimed the idea that the Sen
ate substitute had been prepared for any po-
1 liucal purposes. There had never been a
time when the finance committee did not
know that 8 revision of the tariff and a re-
duction of the revenue ~srs sbsolstely nee
esssry. The bill had been prepared By re-
publican members on their responsibility 81
senators. and not for the base purpose OF
making party capital. As to the frame work
of the bill, the finance committee started
rith the idea that it should be bill looking
| to the interests Of our citizens and not to the
interests of persons Of other countries
Allison ridiculed Vests statement as t.
the immense profits of the steel association
and asked why. if il we're true, competition
wouldn't be set on foot in Alabama. Mis-
souri and other States.
/ Vest recslled the Vulcan IroH Works In
Missouri, closed down some years ago, re-
ceiving $500 900 per year ~ . consideration
for remaining idle. That vas the ordinary