Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-24
FIGHTING MAD.
Democratic Senators Pitch Into
President Right and Left.
German Denounces Growers Letter
and Recent Tariff Attitude.
Accuses Grover Of Treachery and Other sena.
tors cofroboraie His Statements.

WASHINGTON, July 23-The excitement
in and around the Senate chamber, today,
was much greater than it was even on Fri
day last, when action was expected TO be
taken on the dissgreeing conference report
on the tariff bill. In the absence of the
Vice President, the chair was occupied bv
Harris of Tennessee, President pro TEN.
A silence came over the gossipipg crowds
in the galleries and the more noisy senators
and representatives on the floor when Sen
ator voorhees,, at u 22, called up the cen
ference report on the tariff bill and Senator
German began speaking on the subject. In
an impressive manner the Maryland sena-
tor told of closed factories and suffering
mechanics and said further suspense would
be destructive. Ii would also be destruc-
tive to the Democratic party, which nov
controlled every branch of the government,
and he hoped the situation would be met as
became American senators and as became
patriotic citizens.
German sail the Democrats had only A
votes for the bill, and excepting the distin-
guished senator from New York, Hill, who
had openly and manfully opposed tht
measure, there were only 43 Democratic
votes to be depended on. Senators had to
vote for the bill at the sacrifice of state in
terests and almost of principle. Never be-
fore had there been such condition Of
sacrifice.
When the radically destructive bill came
from the House, it had been asserted that
it could not be passed by the Senate with
the odious income tex attached. When the
bill went into conference, although ma jor-
ity of the Democratic conferees had been
Southern men, justice had been done by
them to every section. To refute the calum-
nies that had been heaped on the conferees
he would give plain, unvarnished state
menl, puttirg the responsibility where it
belonged. He would say now, as he would
tell every Democratic senator privately,
that no matter at what sacrifice to state in
terests, the paramount duty of every Demo
crat was to keep the party in power.
German made reference to President
Cleveland's letter to Chairman Wilson as
the most unusual, the most unwise letter
ever penned by Pre- sident of the United
States. On account of this letter he was
forced to talk of private party matters in
public. The honor of his fellows also
make.
Telling of the tariff bill conference, Cor
man said every Democratic senator had
been consulted with a view to reconciling
their views. Two of the Democratic lead
ers have conferred with the President, know
ing that the bill would not pass without the
hearty cooperation Of the executive branch
of the government. What the President
had said gave him the right to mske the
statement as he did at the time-that the
Senate bill would receive the endorsement
of Democratic House and Democratic
President.
The great secretary of the treasury,
himself tariff reformer, who had sean
every amendment that was proposed, or
was to be proposed, knowing the condition
that had confronted his party, and want
ing to let the country know how matters
stood, published a prepared statement on
April 80, 1894. This statement was an in
terview with Mr.. Carlisle about the tariff
bill, in which he said the bill would be
passed without difficulty.
"That statement" said German, chad
probably wonderful effect-but it did not
stop there. The President was not ignor-
ant of what the Senate proposed to do.
Forty-three Democratic senators under
stood and believed this. The daily papers
stated that the President concurred with
his secretary of the treasury. 1t was
known that he was not salts fed with the
measure. The same could be said of
every Democratic senator, for COM
promise measure would not be satisfactory
in every particular to everybody. 1t was
believed that every cabinet officer, every
Democratic senator and the President him.
self were satisfied with the compromise bill
as the best that could be had"
German called on Vest to verify this
broad statement Amid an intense silence
Vest somewhat hesitatingly arose and told
what he knew of the matter. Vest said
Secretary Carlisle had told him the greatest
Calamity that could happen to the Demo
cratic party and to the country would be
the failure to pass tariff bill. Senator
Jones had seen the President and Secre-
tary Carlisle, and both bad told him the bill
as propose d to be amended by the addition
of the 400 Jones amendments would be
perfectly satisfactory to them, the Presi
dent concluding wilh these words ~ am
willing to do or say anything to pass this
bill through Congress.
II told Senator Jones" said Vest, ''that
if we 20 into the fight we must have the
President behind u.s." Jones assured him
that this was fact, and he, Vest, gave up
bis personal opinions and, for the first time,
when he heard of the Presidents letter to
Chairman Wilson, he learned that the Pres
ident was sgainst him. Laughter and ap
plause, which the President, pro tenn, Har
ris, checked.
Jones of Arkansas, explained that he un-
lerstood that the President and Secretary
Carlisle were satisfied with the amended
bill, until he heard the Wilson letter read
He understood the President to express
himself positively in this connection and
Secretary Carlisle also.
Villas of Wisconsin, asked if in every
the senator from Arkansas
had with the President, tie latter had ap
proved of duty on coal and iron ore.
Goal and iron ore were mentioned in
every single one," said Mr.. Jones, amid
zreat laughter and applause.
In answer to another question from
Villas. Jones said the President showed
himself in favor of the free coal and free
ron, but he was willing to accept the coal
md iron schedules as amended. Applause
which the presiding officer vainly tried to