The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-28
ALMOST A VOTE.
A nIun by the Republicans Ihat Was
Reprinted later

WAmnN0rov, April III was not until
li,20 o'clock 20 day that enough senators
we're In their seats 10 make a quorum. Mr.
Harris motion 10 take Up the taTid bill was
agreed 70 and Senator Lindsay. Of Ken
tuoky. spoke In support Of ths tariff bill.
Ia reply 10 q question by Mr.. Aldrich as 10
whether Ar. Lindsay subscribed 20 the
doctrine onuneiated bV Mr. Mills, that
coffee. tea and sugar should be taxed and
the duty on iron and steel reduced. Mr.
Lindsay said be did not think Mills voiced
the sentlment o. tho onti democratic
party.
'thGt either the senator from Texas or the
senator from Kentucky knows what the
democratic party wants"
IF you will agree 20 take q vote on this
bill to-day you will find out what the
democratic party Wants," TstOrted Mr..
Lindsay.
II viii sgrss 10 take yea and nay vote
on the bill Rs ~ came from the house %
three O'clock" said Air. Aldriob.
Al 1.2f Lindsay concluded his speech aid
Immediately Mr. Harris vss recognized
Now" said Mr.. Harris, while have not
the vanity TO assert that ! represent the
democratic party. beg 20 assure the sen
ator from Rhode Island that 50 far a. ] am
concerned. or 90 far 10 can control the
action OF the majority. ! will consent a.
three o'clock. 70 proceed 90 vote on the
amendments Of the hnAnce committee aud
then she final passage Of this bill. This
can be done only by unanimous consent.
and now go further and ask for unhni-
nous consent"
The presiding oaiOsr (TurpIs) go ARE
there obiectons"
Cullom-'I object"
Cullom and Aldrich we're trrinR 10 get
-
the tumult 20 say he wanted tO address the
senate Aldrioh said. ''Ar. President: In
the course Of the speech of the senator
from Kentucky / asked tho senator ques-
tion. As TO whether they would be willing 20
proceed 90 vote on the bill and pending
amendments Of the finance committee at
three o'clock. IL has no response on that
side Of the chamber. 10 did offer 20 that
side Of the chamber 10 take vote on the
bill As 10 came from the house without
Amendment. i recsiVed no response TO shat
proposition. i then asked ~ the senators
on the other side we're ready 10 vote on the
bill As 10 stood. | have been told since
asked that question, on oreditable author
Ity. that last night the members of the
hRsnce committee. representing that side
OF the chamber agreed TO more than 300
amendments Of the pending measure"
Mr.. Nest-"Name your authority"
Mr. AldTich-'I think the senator from
Missouri found out day before yesterday
that be was not we'll posted As 20 what was
going on Ia the democratic eide OF the
chamber. Before the hour Of three O'Clock
more than a hundred amendments may be
made 10 the bill. Now, DO not intend TO
commit myself TO bill l know nothing
about. II the senator will state . PROPOSE
tion TO vote ON the house bill a. an early
hour next week. ] believe the proposition
will be accepted"
will the acceptance OF such a propOsi-
tion exclude any offering OF amendments
by the finance eomnittoeP asked White.
OF California.
Certainly" I" replied Aidrich.
"Does ths senator think shat candid
psopositiouY' asked White.
Il think il is perfectly candid" replied
Aldrich.
The whole thing seems curious" per-
sisted White. Here II is half-past one.
aud a proposition to vote on the bill a.
three o. clock is made and be (Aldrich) 10
called on that piouosition-that 10 a
phrase pot haps which be will understand,
[groat laughter and now be proposes 10 fI
on some day next week to vote on the bill
as IL came from the house without amend
ments, and thinks that candid pToposi-
tion. / do not"
Gray remarked that the proposition Of
Aldrich was agreed to by the senator
from Tennessee (Harris).
'As soon as the senator from Rhode
IL like a man." said Harris.
II made no proposition" replied Aldrich,
Il simply asked a question.
II did not say for myself, o. for any 9TH
ers on this side of the house, that We would
accept the measure. Ny proposition was
TO take a vote on the bill as 10 came from
the house. and renew that proposition" "
"As understand this controversy" said
Teller, the senator from Rhode Island
rendered an inquiry 60 the other sids OF the
chamber. After consultation they answered
the query. No senator on that side OF the
chamber dare 90 assert that the bill as 10
came from the finance eommittce, 10 20 be
that which is TO pass the sehats."
I'VE are willing TO vote on a." declared
Gray.
ROM said Teller. the senator knows
the trick OF conference committees. He
Lnows that In conference 10 can be nIed.'
by that II can be made palAtable TO those
on tho democratic side 10 whom 10 is now
unsnvory."
Cnllsm again rose 50 address the senate,
when Harris asked what had become of his
request for unanimous consent 60 accept
she proposition OF the senator from Rhode
Island.
Il objeetsd," said Cullom.
After the incident on the floor, Senator
Aldrich said his reason for making abe
proposition for a vote was that he wanted
20 dsmoustrats that IL vote could be
reached on the house bill it could not pass
81 made the proposition. he sdded. with
a view OF demonstrating by an actual test
of the senate how idle the democratic
platform IL, snd how impossible 10 is for
the partv 10 pass such measure aa was
promised IN the Chicago convention"