Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-05-31
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Washington, May 21.-In pursuance
of the order adopted last Friday, the
senate met at 10 o'clock today with
only twelve senators in their seats. In
about ten minutes forty-three
senators "a quorum were In
the chamber, and under the
agreement the remaining fif
teen minutes before 1920 were spent
in the consideration of the bills on the
calendar.
Then the tariff bill was laid before
the senate and the metal schedule
was taken up. The first amendment
was that reported from the finance
nnmmit tnn nlanins dr1tsr Of 40 cents,
per ton on iron ore, including mangan
ferrous iron ore, also the gross or re-
siduum from burnt pyrites.
Mr.. Aldrich Immediately took the
floor and drew a graphic picture of the
anomalous position in which he claim
ed the proposed duty on ore placed the
democratic party in New England.
For six years, he said, the democrats
in New England had fought their cam
raw materials. Three years ago Mr..
Mills had made a stumping tour of
Massa chusetts. Everywhere, he said,
Mr.. Mills had taken free raw material
as his text. He had held up the glow
ing promise of free coal and free iron
ore when the democrats obtained con-
troll Of all branches Of the government
n To
Gated free bar iron. Why was not
Mr.. Mills here to champion the cause?
He was not even in his seat. What
had become of the promises held out
to New England?
When Mr.. Chandler asked why cot
ton manufacturers, with free cotton,
were not able to compete in the open
market with foreign competitors, Mr.
Mills replied that while cotton is free
the machinery employed in the manu-
facture of cotton goods is dutiable at
40 per cent, the dyes are all heavily tax
ed, the coal that generated the steam is
taxed; all collateral elements are taxed.
That is why our cotton goods could not
compete in the markets of the world.
The debate which followed was par
ticipated in by Messrs. Sherman,
Lodge. Vest, Butler. Hoar, Gallinger
and Dolph.
Mr.. PETER offered an amendment to
transfer iron ore to the free list. 1t
was one of the planks of the demo-
cratic party that raw materials should
so on the free list. Why had it not
been done, he asked.
Mr.. Vest replied that there was no
attempt at evasion as far as he was
concerned. The large majority on his
side favored placing raw materials on
the free list
THE majority did you say?' asked
Mr.. Allen.
L meant what I said" replied Mr. |
Vest. "a large majority on this side
believe in free raw materials. But the |
urgency of some tariff legislation rem
ders it absolutely necessary for the !
majority to make concessions to the !
small minority. The alternative is pre- /
sented of passing this bill with these ,
concessions, Or not passing it at ALL"
Mr.. PETERS amendment to transfer
iron ore to the free list was lost. 4 to /
46. The yeas were: Allen, Hill (of \.
", Kyle and PETER.
At six o'clock the senate adjourned.
Washington, May 21.-AImost i'm
nediately upon assembling today the
house went into committee of the
Whole on the legislative appropriation
Dill. Mr.. Hayes offered an amendment
which declared the section which al
owed the docking Of members sal
lries had been heretofore repealed.
Mr.. Dearmond made a point Of order
lgainst the amendment The chair
nan (Mr. richardson sustained the
'oint. Mr.. Hayes appealed and the
hartman declared the nays had it.
)nly bare quorum voted. The roll !
all was demanded and the decision (