The record-union., 1894-07-24
to the REcoRD-UN1ox.


WASHINGTON, July %. Perhaps no
more remarkable scene was ever wit
messed in the United States Senate than
that which occupied to-day, when for
two and half hours Senator German,
the Democratic political leader on the
floor, delivered his speech against the
President in defense of the Senate tarlfl
bill.
The galleries were packed to the doors,
and so great was the interest in German
speech that the members Of the House
nocked to the Senate end of the CapltoI,
and the House being unable to hold a
quorum, adjourned.
Mr.. German, with a frankness that
amazed those present, discussed party
secrets, opened the door to party eau
cuses, and flashed his searchlight into the
dark corners of party history. The Pres
ident was assailed with keenness by the
leader of his party on the floor OF the SEN
ate He defended the Senate tariff bill
and lis prepar alton and charged, IN
terms that both Mr.. Carlisle ana MI.
Cleveland were not only aware OF Inc
concessions made in that bill 10 procure
lis passage through the Senate. but that
MIR. Carlisle had been consulted at every
step. and that Mr.. Cleveland had sane
toned all that was done.
Mr.. German is cool, easy talker, but
gives tone and gesture with dramatic
effect that thrills the audience. Today
ne was at his best. One by one he called
Senators Jones, Vest and Harris as to the
truth of his statements. Then, having
freed himself from all restraint, he told
the inside history OF the conference over
the tariff bill. He even went back and
told the secrets OF the Mills bill and the
ST. Louis and Chicago platforms, and the
demands made upon the National Demo-
cratic Committee by the sugar Senators
IN 1892
His personal attack upon the President
was tulI OF sensational characterlZatlons.
lie told how he had dared, when other
men faltered, 10 walk with Cleveland
through the filth and slime OF the CAM
Dai0n of 1881: Eow ne and his colleagues
had fought for tariff reform, "when cow
ards in high places would not show their
heads''; "how Mr.. Cleveland had tried to
'gibbet' the Senate before the eyes OF the
country" and said his action must be at
tributed 10 consuming vanity''-an
action that was reeehoed by those who
''chirped when they talked"
His references to the President created
so much commotion in the galleries,
sometimes OF applause and sometimes of
disapproval, that the presiding officer
was obliged to repeatedly caution them
TO preserve better order. lie was listened
10 with attention throughout his speech,
a deep feeling OF excitement being
printed on every face.
Harris, President pro tenn, was in the
chair.
After the expiration of the preliminary
routine business, at 1:22 Voorhees, called
tor the conference report OF the tariff Dill,
and then the storm broke.
German, who had a short conference
with the President this morning, adj
dressed the Senate, speaking from care
fully prepared notes. He hoped he ap-
Dreciated the gravity of the situation.
Ordinarily the situation would be easy OF
solution. There would ordinarily be no
differences Of opinion about sending the
bill to Congress where the differences be-
tween the two houses could be adjusted.
He drew graphic picture of the anxiety
with which the country awaited the fate
of the bill, the idle factories, the closed
workshops and the unemployed. Further
suspense was neither for the best inter-
ssts of the country nor of the Democratic
party. He hoped the Senators would
meet the situation as became patriotic
men and duty-bound Democrats. 1t was
idle for him to add anything 10 what had
been said last Friday by the Senator from
New Jersey (Smith). In the House there
was an overwhelming Democratic major
ity. Here in the Senate the Democrats
were at the outset confronted with the
fact that there were forty-tour Democrats.
A bill must be framed which will secure
the support of all these Senators, all of
whose votes, save one, were necessary to
mass it. That one vote was lost. The
Senator from New York Child had from
the beginning opposed the bill openly
and mantully. The Democrats had gone
1nanfulIy to work TO harmonic the differ
ences. and had accomplished IL by many
sacrifices, almost at the sacrifice oi
principles No legislative body in this
country had ever been confronted with
such a condition. The Representatives
of the State of New York, New Jersey,
VIRGINIA. Ohio and Maryland at the out
set announced that the House bill was
also radical, so destructive of the interests
of the people that they would not sup
port it.
He paid high tribute to Senators Vest.
Jones. VOORHEES, and Harris, those brave
men whose laborious work had at last ac-
complished the feat of adjusting these
differences, and had made the passage o.
lhe bill possible. Then, in dramatic
tone. he delivered his defiance.
The infamous calumnles heaped upon
the head of the Senate. forced from his
lips. he said, plain, unvarnlshed state
menJ. He would make it, he said, with
malice toward none, but he would look
his colleagues and the American people
IN the eve and tell the truth.
In patriotism the Democratic Senate
had gone to work TO save the country aDc
continue the party in power, when sud-
denly in the midst of the struggle there
came the Presidents letter.
sit was the most uncalled for, most ex-
traordinary and most unwise communlca-
tion," said German, in bitter tones, "thai
ever came from President of the United
states. 1t placed this body in position
where its members must see TO it that the
dignity and honor of this chamber shall
be preserved. 1t places me in a position
where l must tell the story as it oe-
Cured"
German then resumed. "Now. Mr..
President, my distinguished friend, the
Chairman of this committee, the distin-
onished Senator from Indiana. has had
Intimate connection, of course, with this
measure throughout. / happen to know
that he is feeling very well to-day, and
expects himself TO make his own state
ment before the close OF the discussion,
therefore shall not ask him to-day To
give you the benefit OF his statement, Sc
That ali the truth in connection with this
matter may go to the people. As | have
said. sir. this is a most extraordinary
HIGHEST place in the Government, in the
Joint commune, to traduce the Senate O.
The United States, TO blacken the char
acters of Senators who are as honorable
Is they dare to be, who are as patriotic as