Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11
FIGHTING FOR TIME
MIR. Hills Tariff Resolution On
posed by Executive Session.
THE PARLIAMENTARY qlNGLE
Some Lively Remarks Made by
Several Senators.
Il III Il VOTE w AS A TIE
I II e VOTE WAS a TIE

II II " II w a = ~ Il f.
The Ser ate chamber was the storm center
or the tariff conflict today. Early in the
day eager crowds thronged the lobbies
leading to the Senate galleries and strug-
gled tor points of vantage for the expected
debate on Senator Hills resolution diroct-
ing the Senate tariff conferees to report on
me situation. Ali the public galleries were
hlled and the crowds overfiowed into the
corridors outside. The private galleries
were also taxed to their full capacity with
the exception Of those reserved for the ex-
ecutive household and the diplomats. which
stood out cOnspicuously for their emptiness
IN the fringe Of faces which filled the cham
Der. Upon the floor of the Senate the same
calm as of ordinary day prevailed. SEN
ator Hill was one of the earliest to take
his seat, In the rear Of the chamber. Sen
ator Vest of Missouri. who was scheduled
for a sensational disclosure of tariff con-
ference affairs, Serenely read a newspaper
ard then as the routine proceedings were
disposed of leaned back and awaited the
approaching conflict There was the usual
prelude Of formal business, which received
Ecant attention.
Waiting With Impatience.
The spectators as well as the Senators
waited with evident imratience while the
clerk read a long veto message from the
President on a bill retiring a naval officer.
As IL proceeded the floor of the chamber
raSidIy hlled with members of the House
OF Representatives. Mr.. Burrows (MichJ
took seat near Senator Aldrlch. and
Messrs. Bynum. Tarsney and other cemo-
cratic members of the ways and means
committee were on the democratic side. 1t
was noticeable. however. that none OF the
House tariff conferees was on the floor or
in the galleries.
Hill Gives Way to Chandler.
At 12;30 Senator Hill arose and asked that
his resolution introduced yesterday be con-
sidered. He gave way. however, to Senator
Chandler, who asked that the resolution
for an investigation of the alleged irregu-
larities in the recent Alabama election go
over until next Monday.
Mr.. Chandler spoke sarcastically of Ala
bama election methods and drew forth
brief response from Senator PJgh (Ala.)
on the futility of the nvestigation. as the
Teturns were wholly within the Jurisdiction
Sf the state authorities. Senator Gray (DeI.)
objected to letting the resolution go over
Sn the ground that it would Indirectly give
sountenance to the subject matter OF the
Investigation.
Mr.. Chandler thereupon asked leave TO
withdraw the resolution, and Immediately
reOffsred II, which carries it over The
decks were now cleared for the tariff con-
fict.
Senator Hill Amends His Resolution.
Senator Hill was his feet and there
was a hush through the chamber. The
clerk read the Hill resolution. Then the
Senator in a calm and quiet manner said
that the parliamentary situation was such
that he would present the following amend
ment to his original resolution, instructing
the Senate conferees to return the tariff bill
to the custody of the secretary Of the Sen
ate.
Resolved. That the conferees on the part
of the Senate. who are now considering the
differences between the two houses or
House bill 1854. being an act entitled An
act to reduce taxation, to provide revenue
for the government and for other PURPOSES
be directed to report to the Senate If they
are likely to come to an agreement and II
not to report the principal items Of disagree
ment, delivering said bill to the secretary
OF the Senate for the further action of the
Senate thereon"
The principal change IN the resolution is
the provision that the copfereeS shall de-
liver the bill TO the secretary of the SenIte
ION that 1 call for the yeas and nays"
said Mr.. Hill. as the clerk concluded read
ing the amendment.
II would suggest" interjected Mr.. Gray
that an amendment Of such Importance
should be explained by the Senator from
New York
He Enlightens Mr.. Gray.
II will be glad to enhghten the Senator
on that point" said Mr. HILL who went on
to say that there was doubt among parlia-
mentarians as to the status of the tariff
bill. He would not go into the claims made
as to where the bill is at but he deemed
1t wise that it's exact locality be fixed by
delivering the bill to the secretary of the
Senate He did not know what the con-
ferees felt on this subject. whether they
believed the bill would naturally remain in
the Senate, in case a disagreement was re-
ported But in any event it was of vital
Importance to fix the status of the bill, in
the event of a disagreement on the bill
Senator Gray said he doubted the proprie-
ty of the amendment. To quote a favorite
phrase Of the New York Senator 1t was not
necessary to cross a bridge until it was
rea ched. There was No need of anticipating
a disagreement
1t will be time enough to consider this"
sai1 he when the cOnferees report their
inability to agree They have not done so
yet"
Mr. Gray Gives His Views.
Mr.. Gray said he doubted the contention
that the physical possession of the bill re-
mained in the Senate. 1t was with the
Joint conferees-not with the Senate alone
He believed that it was still competent for
the House TO deal with the bill The right
of one branch of Congress to deal with the
great question of tariff could not depend on
mere manual possession. 1t could not be
ttat the security of a Yale lock was all
that protected the House CT the Senate in
its right TO proceed with legislation.
Senator Hill arose to say that the Senate
asked for the second conference. and, there
fore. under parliamentary usage, the bill
remained in the physical possession Of the
Senate.
Mr.. Gray continued. saying he thought it
unfortunate that question of this moment
should hinge on whether this house or that
first asked for the conference.
Mr. Gray said the Senate merely appointed
its conferees in advance, but this was IN
allowance until the House, at subsequent
time requested the conference The House
was. therefore. the moving body, although
the Senate conferees had previously been
named
Senator Frye (1Ge) referred to precedents
on the location Of a bill pending con-
ference Mr. Cray also discussed prece-
dents, and the expectant galleries chafed at
the dry preface to the stirring chapter just
ahead.
Where Are the Papersf
eff / can be assured" said Mr.. Hill, that
the bill will remain in the Senate then the
amendment Will be unnecessary. and 1 will
withdraw it,
e. c1ff sold Afr