The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-21
INDIGNATION IN THE SENATE.
Smith and Vest Defend Their
Position on the Tariff Bill.
Hill Finds Cleveland'a Letter HIS Picnic.
Vest Severely Arraigns the President,
and Says tn Q Party is Above the Man.
He Bay 1t Will be the Sera,e's Bill OF
tho Mckinley Measure VIII Staud-The
Senate Adjourns Until Monday.

WASHINGTON, July 2O.-In anticipa-
ton Of the debate on the conference re.
port on the tariff bill spectators begun
to fiow into the Senate galleries as early
as 10 o'clock this morning. Senators
were in attendance in much larger num-
bers than at any time since The passage
OF the bill. General Sickles and a
dozen members Of the House occupied
seats in the chamber.
In the absence of the Vice-President
the chair was occupied by Harris, presi-
dent pro tenn. of the Senate. At 1920
the message from the House, asking a
further conference of the tariff bill was
laid before the Senate on motion of Mr.
Voorhees,, who contented himself with
these few words: "Mr. President, the
conferees on the part of the Senate now
await further action on this bill"
After saying these words he took his
seat and had no further part in the days
proceedings, except in a slight contro-
versy with Hill.
Then Smith (Dem MY made a
speech OF nearly an hours duration,
favoring further conference and admit
ting that the country was confronted by
the danger OF no tariff legislation at this
session. He favored saying to the con-
ferees OF the House: "Such is the bill.
You are at liberty to take it or leave
it."
Smiths Concluding Remarks.
Mr. Smith, in his speech, said in con-
clusion: $50 far as 1 am concerned,
and think l speak also for several OF
my colleagues, there has not been, and
will not be, the slightest change in
my position. l accepted the income
tax In its modified form from sense
of duty to my party, but do SO With
the greatest reluctance and with the
distinct laration, regarding other
portions OF tho measure, that l would
not vote for any bill or any amend
ment that would make it impossi ole
for single industry to continue or re-
sumo operations. l believe, sir, that
the committee on finance will bear mo
out in the assertion that l have done
everything in my power to aid them in
their work.
1T is true, that l have urged the ne
cessity OF care and moderation in revis
ing the schedules which directly con-
Germ the Industries of my State, but
believe they will concede disposition
on my part to be fair and reasonable
and know that | have demanded fnr
| grenter concessions from my constitu-
EMS which / have sought from the
| finance committee.
"Mr. President it has been charged
| that we are not sincere in our ad vocacy
| OF the Senate bill; that we have made it
for trading purposes and that those OF
US who oppose the Wilson bill would
| rush into line at the first crack OF the
whip. did not suppose, sir, that any
| person familiar with the character of
this body would BIO misled by notion
SO puerile. Blu, it is evident from the
attitude Of our colleagues in the House
that either they do not believe we
meant what we said or they are willing
to invite defeat of tariff legislation.
lie was followed by Hill, who pref
aced long speech with motion that
tho Senate receae from its amendments
| placing coal and iron ore on the dutiable
list He gave partial approval to tho
| Presidents letter. and declared that
Demo cratic Senators would have to rally
around the President or else they would
| go TO the wall and the President would
come to the front, and no added that
| this was tho time to yield, without fur
her humiliation, further embarrassment
and further discord.
Hill's Sarcastic Remarks
Hills opening sentence was: IA
theory as we'll as a condition now con.
fronts u.s." He paused and laugh ran
around tho galleries; when 1t had been
stilled by the gavel Hill procee ded:
Tho theory Of the Dem ocratic party is
that in tho enactme nt Of tariff legisla-
ton free raw materials should ALWAYS
be an essential and conspicuous element.
1t is to our credit these things on which
the industrial prosperity and progress
OF our country SO much depends, the
materials which enter into our manu-
oh ha
den OF tariff taxation
The best interest Of the manufactur.
ers as we'll as the consumers of the
land demand the recognition Of this
wise discrimination. We are committed
to this side OF the question and we can
not retract We are honorably bound
to redeem our pr DECISIONS and our
promises. Justice and good faith and
decent regard for public sentiment all
require this course"
mo president" ne continued further
a.onR, can be above his party; no
president can dictate to his party no
president can change his party's plat
form. No matter what idea is claimed
to be conveyed in his letter OF accept
ance in modification Of the platform.
there can be no doub. as to the Presi
dents position at this time upon this
essential principle OF free raw M a terials
I Let ne read from that remarkable
letter OF the Presidents. which was yes.
terday submitted to the House OF Rep
resentstives. 1t EXPRESSES better than
l can hope to do the true, sound and
| logical position Of the Democratic party
upon this question.
Hill here quoted from the Presidents
| letter that part which concludes with
the sentence, 1T is quite apparent