The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-08-21

4 DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE Sen
ATE

AIEs
Mr.. Tohn R. Morris, OF Baltimore,
in letter published in the Whining
ton, IN. Co. messenger, thus describes
recent scene in the United States
Senate during the discussion of the
glass schedule:
Vance is the biggest Democrat in
America. He is, possibly, since the
death of Calhoun, tie greatest Senator
from the South. He is big i'll body,
big in mind and big in the mos, con
scientious patriotism / ever knew to
throb in an American bosom. His
research is deep. The range Of his
information on economic questions is
as wide as it is marvelously accurate.
His wit is the climax Of logic; his
logic the stronghold of invincibility.
| wish you could have seen and heard
him Tuesday. He was quick, superb
and triumphant.
You know that Senator Aldrich, of
Rhode Island, has charge of the tariff
bill. The glass schedule had been
reached. Vance asked Aldrich why
common window glass, the glass OF
poor mans house, was made dutiable
at one hundred and fifteen per cent,
while fine, polished plate glass, the
glass of the rich mans mansion, was
to sustain aduty of but fifteen per cent.
Aldrich turned his eyes from Vance,
smiled the smile of one disconnected,
and walked in the direction of Quay's
desk. Vance receiving no answer re-
sumed his seat. ingalls, had vacated
the chair and called Plat to preside.
In few moments Vance arose and
stood awaiting recognition from Plat.
While he stood he seemingly grew
taller. Quickly raising his hand he
threw a great mass Of iron grey hair
from his forehead and exposed brow
red with the blood of emotion. He
did not turn his eye toward the gallery
he seldom does. But all eyes in
gallary and Senate were fixed on Vance.
"The Senator from North Carolina"
said Plat, as he lightly touched the
desk with his gravel and inclined his
head deferentially toward the majestic
figure of the great Southern statesman.
"Mr. President" cried Vance, in a
shrill, tremulous key of which I did
not know his voice capable, 81 want
it to go abroad to all the American
people that l have asked the Senator
from Rhode Island why the glass of
the poor man is taxed IFS per cent.
and the glass of the rich man but IS
per cent and that l have received no
answer" Raising his voice still higher
he almost shrieked the refrain of his
own words, ayes want the American
people to know that l have received
no answer" Vance was unconsciously
dramatic. The effect was to bring
deep hush over the Senate chamber.
The Republicans could not say any
thing without admitting too much.
They had to refrain from admitting
the truth that they were paying for
Harrison's election, and owed much to
the makers of common glass in America
but were Indifferent to the makers of
fine plate glass in France. The Re-
publicans did not soon recover from
the question and the terrible manner
in which Vance had hurled it at Aid.
rich. John Sherman fingered his
stubby beard, Judge Edmunds, who
effects indifference to everything and
everybody by apparent absorption in
some book, peeped over the top Of his
constant volume. Quay, the stolid
dude, shook the lapel OF his grayish
flannel neglige coat. Allison rolled
his eyes toword the upper frescoes,
while Frank Hiscock, on whose Shout
ders rests Conklin's mantle OF vanity,
with several additional breadths, looked
helplessly toward his colleague, poor
old dried up Evarts, who himself sank
farther into the physical nothingness
of an unsexed witch.
Vance's work during the considera-
ton of the tariff bill is, l fear, more
than he will be physically able to en-
dure. He is wonderful in running de-
bate. He and Ransom are straining
every nerve to secure a reduction in
the duty on cotton ties.