New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-15
VESTS AMENDMENT REJECTED
THE SENATE AT LAST VOTING ON HIS PROP
OsITON CONCERNING TIN PLATE.
SEVERAL SPEECHES MADE on THE TARIFF BILL
Mr.. PLUMB AND OTHER CRITICS OF
THE TIN-PLATE PROVISION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUSE.l

Mr.. PLUMB AND OTHER CRITICS OF
THE TEMPLATE PROVISION.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUSE.l
Washington Aug. 14-Business in the Senate is still
being done by Of the minority" and as con-
sequence, the socaed debate" the tinplote para
graph Of the Tariff bill shows no sign OF coming 10
finish. A vote actually reached on Mr.. Vests
amendment to reduce the rate fixed by the Finance
CommiItee-2 30 cents pound-to cent pound
Two Republicans. Mr.. Plumb and Mr. Davis. sided with
the Democrats this motion. but it was defeated by
majority. Mr.. Plumb came to the front. how
ever with another amendment. substituting for the
committees rate. first bounty OF cent pound for
tin plates produced in this country and then duty OF
cent, coupled with a similar bounty. Neither propo-
sition could be voted upon before adjournment Mr..
Plumb resumed his role OF tariff smasher" during
the afternoon with fresh energy, and he may be cX-
pected to continue it until some Kansas product or
interest comes in sight. Then he will be found clam
orng with pleasing ingenuousnesS for the stfest kind
OF protective duties.
The "debaten to-day consisted chiefly of elaborate
speeches the general tariff question. Mr. Mitchell,
Of Oregon read a two-hOur argument for genuinely
protective duties all along the line and defended the
theory Of public policy which lOstered and encouraged
home industry at the expense Of foreign. Mr. Reagan
undertook to reply to this, and succeeded In proving
that protective tariff system was wholly uncon-
sttutional" lie did not threaten that Texas would
secedc however, if this violation of the Constitution
involved in existing law and Tie pending bill was
persisted in. Mr. Plumb gave his bi-weelly eNhibi-
ton of superiority party doctrine and Mr. Eate. Of
Tennessee, read vOlumnous mass OF typewriter
sheets on tariff reforming
After the vote on Mr.. Vests amendment Mr.. liiG
gins, Of Delaware, made brilliantly successful reply
TO Mr. Plumb and other critics Of the tin plate pro
vision. His speech was entirely cNtcmporneous; but
II was pointed forciDe and logical, and held the close
attention of senators on both SIDES of the chamber
According 10 the general verdict, it was one OF the
best tariff speeches delivered at this session
The pending question was Mr.. Vests amend
mcn Offered Monday reduce the duty tin plate
paragraph 1870 from 210 cents TO cent per pound
Mr. Mitchell discussed in detail and generally in terms
Of commentator, the bill as reported by the Finance
Committee: qualifying his commendaton however. on
the sugar question, and expressing the opinion that
the provisions Of the House bill that point were
preferable to those commended by the Finance Com
mittee. The delivery of his speech occupied two and
one half hours lie followed by Mr.. Reagan. IN
an argument to controvert position taken by Mr.
Mitchell, to the effect that Congress has the consti
tuona power to levy taxes In order to regulate trade
and industries.
Mr. Plumb gave notice Of an amendment which he
would offer to strike out of paragraph 49, the pro
vision imposing duty tin plate, and to add to the
paragraph provision TO pay 10 the manufacturers Of
lin plate made in the United states bounty OF cent
Der pound He expressed great doubt q the effect
of the proposition of the Finance Committee.
Mr, Teller expressed his belief that the effect OF
the proposed increase OF duty on tin plates would BE-
"a, had been the case with all other protected in
dus,rcs-eveutuay 10 reduce the price to consumers
Mr. Plumb repeated the word eventually as II
il too indefinite.
Mr.. Teller said he was willing to put the time
at year.
Mr.. Plumb had doubt that in time, or "cvent
ualy,7 if the manufacture OF tin plates was evrr
entered upon in this country Of TIE results would
be to reduce the price but hc did not find in the
present situation any ground for a reasonable PIE
sumption that even with the increased duty on tin
plate there would be. in year or ten years, TIN
plate made in the United states 70 meet tie local
demand. lie thought that the duty on steel plate,
and the admission of metallic tin free Of duty would
allow the production Of tin plato in this country II
the manufacturer chose % work for a reasonable
profit but the manufacturer not willing TO do this
lie knew that when bounty given in a Tariff
bill Congress entering SEA that hal no shore
but il already in the bill on the sugar schedule
Mr. Plumb wanted 10 know why, If the increased
duty tin plate was not 10 Increase It, price 10 coll
sumers. the senate asked Ia Increase the duty
He quoted Mr. MOrrill's argument in 1858 against in
creasng the duty to cents pound. aud said That
not ore single consumer OF tin plate had asked for IA"
increase. If the industry were one that ,,'Id be
widely disseminated IN various states. n" might favor
the proposition but II would be concentrated At Pitts.
burg and other points that were already %
with w0rkingmcn. He quoted an article under lhc
heading SO Time to Fool with Naues. published IN
The New York Tribune when the silver bl was undci
sought to prevent Congress from Increasing The cur
ren was now urging the p a%Se ine inr moi PIN
the name Of labor, but in the name 4 capitol.
from, Charles W. Potts Of Philadelphia a large con
sumer Of tin plate to the effect that he had applied to
ali The rolling mills in the vicinity of Pittsburg for
price on thickness Of steel plate ont Of which canning
lin plate is made, and that all except one sand n%
s saey t iG%d h not one aG g tha Could make e
5 Ii cents a pound for them tuniinnedl while tho
lnel ITI.. -yt only we 422 cent pound.
Mr. Mich accounted for nat on the go{n 9r , ,hed
plac, Of such extreme tlnncss, there was 10 plant
Tor rolling them but he predicted mat II thG dnty %h
in a short time be provided with the requisite plant
Mr. Bate addressed the senate in a general review
any Mr. Tnrpic expressed his disbelief in the Dakota
fin nine ana in The facility with which the tin
The Vote was then taken Mr. Vests amcndmcn,
was rcjcctcd-y yeas %; nays, 30-Messre: Davis ana
plumb being the only Republicans voting In tho
Affirmative Mr. ingalls, did not vote and Mr. Pad
| dock voted in the negative.
| Mr. plumb offered the amendment Of which he had
given notice to strike ont the clause imposing duty
Of go cents pound on lin plate Deserving INC
other part of the proposition as 70 lounty)
Mr. Higgins sad that 4 Mr. Plumb amendment ,nSe
was tho ONLY consistent ground that could taken by
those who opposed the proposition 81 the Finance Com
mttce But was it true he asked that tin plate could
not be produced in this country at as low rate as
that at which it now sold herel lie thought 1t
lie believed profoundly in the necessity; not only
of protective tarin but OF competitive tar1h and
he believed that until somebody could manuflctur Tin
plate and put on the market. it, price would not
| Sc lower 10 the American people than 1t now was.
There no better place for the establishment Of the
| Tin plate industry than his city of Wilmington.
where water and railroad transportation came in closo
| proximity to the iron and coal mines, He did not
think that the farmers Of Delaware had been injured
Philadelphia baltimore Chester and Wilmington. lie
| If