Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-07
THEY ALL OBJECTED
Democratic Senators Who Dislike to Be
Olassed as 0bstructionists.
TORN RAISED BY A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Members Make Explanations and Tell
Where They Are At"
- SENATOR HILL CREATES A MILD SURPRISE
n - g.
.NAToR HILL CREATES A MILD SURPRISE
His Resolution Looking to Complete
Revision of the Wilson Bill.
BREAKING OF THE SILVER STORM CLOUD
Mr.. Harris objects to the Consideration of
the seignloragc Bill-Position of the
Republicans the Tariff
In the House.

ceedings today inaugurated by Senator
Berrys personal explanation. New York
newspaper included him in a group of por-
traits OF nine democratic senators whom 1t
charged with being ''obstructionists' to the
tariff bill Mr.. Berry denied that he had
ever been anything but an earnest advocate
of the bill and on all occasions had advised
it's speedy report to the senate without modi-
fcaton. His explanation was followed by
explanations from Messrs. Faulkner, Class,
McLaurin and Morgan, which led to much
amusement in the senate chamber. The main
interest of the day centered about the ais
cusson as to the disposal of the Bland Dill;
Mr.. Stewart gave notice that tomorrow at
o'clock he would move to take 1t up ana
make 1t the business before the senate until
disposed of. Mr.. Teller also spoke on the
same subject. After a brief executive ses-
sion the senate adjourned at $40.
There were but few democratic senator's
in the chamber when the vice president S
gavel fell. Mr.. Hill awakened interest by
Offering the following resolution and asking
its reference to the committee on finance:
whereas The secretary OF the treasury
has announced a deficit of $1S,OOO,oOO for the
Whereas, House bill No 1864, known as
the Wilson bill, proposes to discard $4,000,
600 revenue from present tarin taxatlon ana
to meet the double deficiency by new in
ternal and direct taxation therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the senate finance com,
mittec frame amendments TO tne SENATE Dlll
amending the said bill. emitting the said
internal and direct taxes newly proposed
and instead thereof make provision for
sufficient revenue by tariff on foreign i'm
ports and otherwise revising the tariff with
out creating deficiency.
BREAKING OF THE SILVER STORM
The silver storm cloud which had been
lowering all the morning broke over the
senate when Mr.. Harris of Tennessee moved
the second, reading of the Bland bill. In
doing so he stated to the senate and es-
peclally to the senator from Nevada (Mr
Stewart that the latter was not more
earnest advocate of silver coinage than he
But he (Harris) believed that there was one
question which should take precedence over
this and without any breach of confidence
he could state that the finance committee
was on the verge of reporting the tarin bill
TO the senate He therefore objected to
further proceedings on the seigniorage bill
and under that objection it would have to &C
to the calendar.
Considerable discussion followed in which
Senators Allison Hale, Henderson and Stew
art took part. The last named gave notice
that after the expiration of the morning
hour he would move to take up the Bland
bill and have 1t made the unfinished busi'
ness before the senate until vote could be
taken.
Mr. Berry of Arkansas rose to question
of personal privilege. He read the head
lines of an article in a New York news
paper which he characterized as infamous
without foundation and thoroughly unjust
1t was headed, Constructing Commercial
Prosperity" and contained portraits of nine
senators, and asserted they had joined hands
to defeat the Wilson bill. Among them
was Senator Berry. The Arkansas sena
tor denounced the assertion that he was
opposed to the Wilson bill. Mr.. Berry
asserted he had asked for no favors fol
the industries of his state and when the
lumbermen of Arkansas had requested him
to urge upon the finance committee the i'm
position of higher duty on lumber he hat
refused to do SO; the contrary he has
stated on every occasion that he would vote
for a reduction on every article in the bill
He had gone to the finance committee ant
urged the committee to report the Wilson
bill as 1t came from the house.
II have urged them to defy the men who
are delaying the reporting of this bill oil
account of local interest,"" continued Mr.
Berry. Every member of the finance
committee will bear me out in that | hay,
neither asked, either in caucus or out, fol
tax on any article"
Mr.. Voorhees,, as chairman of the finance
committee, Vouched for Mr. Berry's constancy
and desire for the passage of the bill. III
may not be necessary said he, but 1t is
with pleasure that l bear witness of the
truth of every word the senator from Ar.
kansas has uttered. He has not been al
obstructionist, but has been an eager helper
on every subject bearing on the tariff"
Mr.. Harris of Tennessee also bore testi
mony to Mr.. Berry's support of the Wilson
bill. Mr.. McLaurin of Mississippi, who was
ope of those named by the article, denied
that he was obstructng the passage of the
Wilson bill for protection purposes. He haC
never heard OF any coalition between disaf
fected senators until he read 1t in Wash
ington paper. II am not in favor OF pro
tecton," he declared. but only for rev
enue.'
FAULKNER ALSO PROTESTS.
Amid the laughter of the sente Mr.. Faulk
ner of West Virginia, another of the alleged
obstructionists rose TO a personal eXplana
10 had ,,nt intnn "A.
newspapers article. but as his name has
been read by Mr. Berry and would appear
IN the record, he felt impelled to make al
explanation. Some of the items of the VIII
son bill as 1t came from the house did no
suit his ideas, and. as a democrat. he haC
gone before the finance committee and mad,
statements in the interest of his people ant
In accordance with the Chicago platform
He favored a tariff for revenue only, and wal
not In favor of putting any article on thu
free list. bnt he would put everything on tn,
dutiable list, not for protection, but for rev
enue only. He announced, II am democrat
and II you bring that bill in as democratic
measure 1t will receive my support"
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama caused som,
amusement by falling into line with tn,
other "conspirators" mentioned in the news
paper article.
THE senator from West Virginia" sal,
he, 'is not guilty as charged, but | am no
nearly as bad as he and therefore ! am no
guilty" O.aughter)
Mr.. Call of Florida said the statement
made In the newspaper was absolutely falls
so far as he was concerned and he believe,
they We're so far as the other senators
were concerned.
Mr.. Allison of iowa, referring to Mr.
Berrys statement that he had not askei
any member OF the finance committee 4
favor an increase Of duty on any article
said that he could youch for the truth o
MIR. nerry's statement as far as he (Allson
was concerned. Mr.. Berry had never aske,
him la fuNDr Increase nrtiplp
(Laughterl Becoming more serious. Mr.
Allison said Has II come TO pass in tn
history OF tariff legislation that the senate 4
Obliged 10 take bill as IL comes from ou
coordinate branch without the dotting o
an a or the crossing OF t. The tarii