Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-30
All About the Alleged Amendments
to the Tariff Bill.
MANY SENATORS PARTICIPATE
Some Sharp Speeches From Both
Sides of the Chamber.
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL

the Senate met at IL o'clock this morning
to begin the fourth weeks debate on the
tariff none of the commonwealers was
perched in the Senate lofts. The galleries
were comparatively empty, and on the
floor there was a waste of Senate desks.
But when Senator Wolcott suggested the
absence of a quorum the bells rang. and in
a few minutes the necessary number of
Senators were in their seats to enable the
Senate to proceed with business.
A Thrust at senator voorhees,.
Mr.. Manderson CNeb) opened the pro-
ceedings with a gentle thrust at Senator
Voorhees,, the chairman of the finance COM
mittee. In presenting a petition against
the imposition of tax on the incomes of
building and loan associations he suggested
that although 1t was customary to lay
such petitions on the table, inasmuch as
there was an intimation that the "so-called
tariff bill" was still under consideration In
the finance committee and that it was there
still undergoing radical and sweeping
changes, the petition should go directly to
that committee.
Mr.. Voorhees, listened carefully to Mr..
Henderson, but did not deign to reply.
On Mr.. Manderson's suggestion the petit
ton was referred.
No General Business Allowed.
A moment later when Mr.. Mills CTex.)
|
House amendments to the Senate joint reso-
luton making an appropriation for addi-
tional clerk hire in the congressional library
Mr. Hale (Me), pursuing his tactics of the
last week, interposed an objection. He was
| willing, he said, to consider bills in the
regular morning hour. but he objected to
giving way for particular measures. This
seemed to nettle Mr.. Harris CTenn.), who
| had charge of the tariff bill. and some
delicate parliamentary sparring between
MIR. Chandler. Hoar and Harris followed.
At last Mr. Harris seemed to lose pa
| tience and abruptly moved that the Senate
proceed with the consideration of the tariff
| bill.
Mr.. WoIcotfs Question.
This motion did not have the effect OF
brin ging the cross-f:ring to close. In fact
as it subsequently proved, the previous in
cidents were but the preliminary shots OF
what turned out to be very interesting
skirmish. Temper apparent on both
sides. Mr.. Wolcott stayed Mr.. Harris mo-
ton by question which precipitated the
row. He preceded the question by stating
there were on his side of the chamber some
Senators who had done everything they
1 could to expedite the consideration of thG
tariff measure. They would continue to dc
so. They would vote for earlier hours In
the morning and later hours in the even
ing. because they believed the majority
should have control of the bill.
| Iney OlO not DtlleNe tn1S was a GOOD Dill,
indeed, they thought. in many respects, IL
was the worst possible bill for the country
but even so. some legislation was infinitely
preferable to the present doubt and uncer-
| tainty. But IL he and others on his side
were to cooperate with the democratic ma
jority in securing final action on the bill
| he thought il was due to them that they
| should be informed as to whether this was
the bill upon which they would be finally
asked to vote. The bill reported by the
| finance committee had features and pro-
| visions. dependent and interdependent.
1t was due to them to know whether the
| committee now intended to report amend
ments which would change the whole scope
and character of the bill.
They were being informed through the
public prints that the income tax was to be
enasculated. that an additional differential
of one-fourth of a cent was to be added to
the sugar duty, and that one and one-half
cents were to be added to the duty on pig
lead II all this were true. If the income
tax was to be rendered harmless and lead
and sugar trusts were to be taken care of.
he thought they were entitled to know it,
He had understood Mr. Harris to admit that
changes were to be made and Mr.. voorhees,
| to deny it.
This gentle prod. however did not force
the hand of the Tennessee Senator.
Mr.. Harris Reply.
Mr.. Harris responded that Mr.. Wolcott
had stated the positions of Mr.. voorhees,
and himself too strongly. He himself had
stated on Saturday and he reiterated IL
now, that he stood ready at all times to
harmonic conflicting opinions in order to
pass the tariff bill.
! Exactly what amendments were to be
proposed he could not say, Mr.. Harris went
on with an appearance of frankness, but SC
Tar as he was concerned, as soon as amend
ments were agreed upon by the finance com.
mittee he should insist upon their beini pre-
sented to the Senate for the scrutiny OF
every member.
| At this point Mr.. Teller interposed to say
that after all the question of what Mr.. Har-
ris was willing to do was not troubling
| them, 1t was what his side should expect
concerning which they sought informa ton
| They wanted to know how radical the
| amendments were which were to be offered
The newspapers were full of all sorts OF
rumors.
As to Newspaper Absurdfties.
Mr. Harris fiared up at this allusion tc
newspaper statements. With a wave of his
hand he declared that no one could be ex-
pected to rely upon newspaper absurdities
He was not prepared to say what the com
mittee on finance would do. But" said he
impetuously, IF you over there will abandon
this interminable and Improbable debat
and permit us to get down to practical
work and allow us to record our wishes we
will be able to make some little progress
and perhaps" Here he paused a moment
and, with twinkle in his eye, continued
| feTndpS Wltnln the lie OI SOf1le Oh lnt
younger members of this body We may bt
| able to pass a tariff bill" This parting sho
caused ripple on the senatorial surface.
Mr.. Teller in reply said he was ready tc
aid in pushing the bill the moment he was
authoritatively informed that the bill before
the Senate was the bill agreed upon by the
majority.
| Mr.. Aldrich Takes n Hand.
Mr.. Aldrich then took hand in the wori
of harassing the majority. He recalled ths
fact that three months had elapsed since
the tariff bill had come over from the House
and he suggested in a rather exasperatinl
manner that from appearances the demo
Gratis were as far or farther from an agree
and the country, he said. that they SHOULD
know what bill was to be considered.
House bill 1864" interjected Mr. Harris
sharply.
Yes" replied Mr.. Aldrich, with tn,
amendments but when are they to be sub
mitted?"
when we get ready" said Mr. Gray from
his seat.
Mr.. Vest at this point managed to get tn,
floor and sought to counter on Mr. Aldricf
by reminding him of the history of the Nc
Kinley bill and the long delay 1t encounter
ed when 1t got to the Senate, and when Mr.
Vest sat down Mr.. Hill submitted an OBJ
servation or two which did not seem tS
please some of his democratic colleagues
The Senator from Rhode Island (Mr
Aldrich), he said, appeared disturbed about
some anticipated amendments. 1t occurred
to him, he said, that iDasmuch as the tariff
bill had passed from the jurisdiction Of the