Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-08-11
FIFTY-THIRp CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Aug. l
SENATE.


SENATE.
The observer in the gallery OF the
Senate today could not have failed ID
being impressed with the importance OF
the occasion which brought him there.
He had ouly to cast his eyes about him
10 understand that something OF vital
Interest WAS promised in the actions OF
the men who sat beneath him on the
floor OF the Senate. Then, too, the hum
of conversation before the chamber was
called 10 order was unusually loud,
enough so 10 cause comment by those
familiar with the studied quiet OF the
historic hall. These things were mere
~ contributory 10 the impreSsiveneSS OF
the knowlege in the mind ofevery man
and woman present that crisis IN the
ati:,irs OF the country had arrived, and
that the day might witness the pre-
liminary steps to the defeat or triumph
OF the measure which proposed TO
change the prevailing tariff system.
The crowded galleries were filled
with an attentive audience. Strange to
say, women appeared to be in greater
numbers than men. They occupied q
majority of the seats in the women ;
public gallery and had good represent
alton in those reserved for the families
and friends Of the members of the Sen
ate. There was one vacant bench Ia
the private gallery. This was the
space reserved for the President and
his cabinet, their wives and families,
and covert glances went up from the
floor 10 see fit were occupied: The
gallery reserved for the diplomatic
corps formed another exception to the
rule for its only occupants were three
ladies.
Naturally, the Senator most observed
was Alr. Hill. 1t was he who had
brought about the crisis by his resolu-
ton directing the Senate conterrees 10
report an agreement or disagreement,
and he was looked 10 as the star OF the
performance which all present had
come TO witness. He was dressed as
usual in a suit OF light cloth, the coat a
short frock. a low collar and black
bow tie together with the low-cut vest.
gave him an old-fashioned appearance
quite a. varience with the fn de 3tecte
ideas to which he has given vent. a
few stray scraps Of paper on his desk
were all that indicated that Mr.. Hill was
ready to deliver speech.
a rap of the Vice Presidents gavel
stopped the buzz of the gossiping gal
leries. Nearly every Senator was IN
his seat at that time and all listened
with heads, rcverent:ally bowed, to the
prayer Of the chaplain that the minds
Of the Senator'S might be so tempered a.
TO do right and justice.
4 lot of routine business came before
the senate for the first half hour much
10 tue disappointment of the galleries.
At 1890 clock Mr.. Hill made an at
tempt TO call up his resolution. Rising
from MS seat in the rear row or the
democratic side he said Mr.. Pres-
dent, desire to call up -" but just
here the Vice President broke in By
LAYING before the Senate the resolution
of Mr.. Chandler providing for an
investigation by the Senate com
mittee on privileges aud elections
OF the charges of corruption made ia
connection with the election in Ala
bIIna Of a legislature which would have
the election Of United States Senator.
This caused suspicion that there was
scheme to side-track Mr.. Hills reso-
luton, but Mr. Chandler cleared the
way by allowing his matter TO 90 over
until Monday when Senator Morgan,
who will be the democratic candidate
for reelection by the Alabama legisla-
ture, will be present. There was dis
IL 4 c;Ie 10 do
bate the resolution even after Mr.
Chandler had agreed to let it 90 over
until Monday, but Mr.. Chandler, vino
was more anxious to have the Hill
matter discussed prevented this by
Withdrawing his motion. Then he Of
fered it Immediately after and under
the rule it went over until Monday.
This matter disposed of, the Vice Pres
ident laid the Hill resolution before
the Senate. Mr.. Hill was on his feet
in minute with some remarks about
the criticisms made of its language.
so obviate these he said she offered
the resolution in a modified form so as
TO provide that the Senate conferree5
shall report 10 the Senate if they are
likely to come to an agreement, and Ii
not what are the principal items OF dis
agreement. And on that" said Mr..
Hill, Il call for the ayes and noes. "
But Mr.. Gray, of Delaware, an ardent
supporter of President Cleveland,
thought Mr.. Hill should tell the Sen
ate something about his reasons
for Offering resolution which dealt
with matter not in the custody of the
Senate alone hut of the House as well
and Mr.. Hill willingly complied, II
was perfectly proper, he commended, to
instruct the Senate conferrees what to
do. 1t was necessary that the Senate
should know the status of affairs in or
der that it might do something towards
adjusting the difficulties that caused
the prolonged delay in reporting the
bill. 1t was necessary that the people
of the country should know where
this bill is att (Laughter.)
Mr.. Hill asked Mr.. Gray to tell his
objections to the resolution and this
Mr.. GRAY proceeded to do in a tecnni-
cal argument that the bill was in the
possession of both the House and the
Senate. 1t could not be lost, he said,
and it was not necessary that it should
be returned to be placed under lock
and key. 1t did not require a Yale
lock to preserve the bill.
Mr.. Frye, of Maine, contradicted Mr.:
Gray on one of his technical points and
with this slight interruption the Della
ware Senator continued technical ar
gument of great interest to parliamen-
20 ,;opo hnt not IN tho ayritement- lnyinp