Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-27
SENATE REFUSES
To Place Coal and Iron Ore on
the Free List.
Hills Iron Motion Lost, 6 to 65-.
Coal Defeated, 8 to g..
Villas Defends President and Pitches Into
Gosman Right and eft.

very noticeable absence of furry and ex-
citement in and about the Senate chamber,
this morning, as compared with the scenes
of the last three days, and there was a cor
responding falling off in the number of
spectators 10 the galleries. This was due,
doubtless, to the general understanding that
the days proceedings were not likely 10 be
of very exciting character, that the pro-
gramme of the Democratic caucus would be
carried ont without any hitch and that the
request of the House for further conference
on the tariff bill would be complied with un-
conditionally.
The tariff bill was not taken up till
o'clock, the Democrats having agreed that
the usual morning hour should be used in
taking up the business on the calendar and
sneh other mstters as should come before
the Senate. This is due to request made
ny the Republican leaders in arranging
their plan of campaign. The Republican
steering committee was called together un-
expectedly about III o'clock, but no conclu-
sion was reached as to what should be done.
1t is known that the Republicans will
test the motion to strike out the differential
one-eighth of cent on sugar, and if Mr..
Villas under the duress of caucus action
withdraws the motion he has pending, Mr..
Quay will push his, and the Republicans
xpect to see it put in parliamentary posi-
uon where it cannot be ruled out of order.
The chances appear to be against the sue
'ess of the motion.
Republican senators were not idle during
he two hours devoted to morning business
in the Senate. They carefully canvsssed
he situation and found that they needed
one more vote. so it is said, to carry the
proposition to strike out the dfferential
duty on refined sugar.
Mr.. Stewart was the Populist and former
Republican, being the man who was said to
re holding out against voting that way. If
this vote can be secured the Republicans
think they can yet report the bill.
Just at 2 o'clock, according to arrange
ment, the conference report on the tariff
bill was called up and, much to everybody IS
surprise, Senator Quay withdrew the amend
ments he offered day before yesterday, in
structing the conferees with reference to
the sugar schedule. Then Mr.. Gray sug-
gested the absence of quorum and roll
call was ordered. When the quorum sp-
peared Mr.. Villas was recognized but Mr..
Villas cheerfully consented to the interpo-
sition of a conference report and other
routine business. Then the rumor began
to be whispered about that there was hitch
about the arrangement to vote on the pro-
position TO send the bill back to conference.
When Villas did begin to speak he secured
the immediate attention of bis audience, for
his first words promised sensational utter
ances. Slowly. deliberately, Villas said
that an extraordinary scene took place in
the Senate on Monday last. A senator of
he United States, of the same political
party as the President, had seen fit to attack
MIN.
Villas said he would attempt to speak
with temperance and moderation. What
we're the points of accusation in the remark
able assault to which he had alluded, he
asked, and looking toward Germans desk,
'aid he regretted that the senator from
Maryland was not in his sest. The first
vas that the President was open to the
charge of duplicity. That accusation rested
On the expressed urgency of the President
in his letters that iron and coal should go
untaxed in the tariff bill. The next accu-
sation was that the President was guilty of
encroachment on the powers of the legisla-
tive body, and the third and last accusation
vas that the President had traduced the
Senate of the United States.
What was there to show the truth Of the
accusation of the senator from Maryland? !?
There had been no direct testimony, he
said. by Mr.. German or his witnesses, that
the President had acted with duplicity. The
senator from Arkansas (Jones), one Of Mr..
Gorman's witnesses, had said that he had
laid the 400 amendments to the tariff bill
before the President, and now the Presi-
dent was accused of having agreed to allow
them. How could the President agree to
all of those detailed amendments? How
many senators could give detailed account
of these amendments and their effect or
the business of the country?
The President had merely considered
these generally, devoting his attention and
his remarks to the great principle involved
in free coal ard free iron. He Villas had
asked the senator from Arkansas if the
Presi lent had not expressed to him the
hope that free coal and free iron would be
the outcome of this great question and the
sena.or from Arkansas answ cred truly that
on every occasion such was the fact.
Who could say there had been lack of
openness on the Presidents part, or that he
did not believe this bill before its perfec-
ton would carry free coal and free iron
ore?
On this single statement of the senator
from Arkansas he would be content to let
rest this charge of duplicity on the part of
that great officer of the government"
The President had not eDdeavored to in
fringe upon the prerogatives of The
Senate and bad not acted with du-
plicity but with the came open mar
ner that had always characterized him.
He had said to the chairman of the ways
and means committee that he hoped the re-
suit might be accomplished in a conference
with reference to free coal and iron, as he
had perfect right to do. Who would gain
say that the President had not as much
right to give his views on this question ss
freely as after his conversation with the
Sc ator from Arkansas, as lie bad before?
Villas maintained that the Presidents let
ter was not an executive document. 1t was
4 personal letter and tbs measure of
is personality might be guaged
BY consideration of its contents.
During tbese remarks Villas became W. hs-