The morning call., 1894-08-16
VEST AND MILLS.
The Two Extremes in the Senate on
the Tariff Question.

Then Harris had letter read, just re-
ceived from Secretary Carlisle. concerning
the effect of the proposed bills upon the
revenues.
Berry called up the free sugar bill.
Harris. while favOring free sugar. thought
this and the other bills should be referred
to the Finance Committee. Berry said the
Senate has been charged with being the
friend Of the sugar trust. He wanted thu
bill to pass exactly as it came from the
House. Harris said an early report should
be made by the committee.
At this point Cockrell presented the
conference report on the general def
cheney bill. The only dispute was on ST.
100000 for Southern war claims. to whc b
the House would not agree. He moved
that the Senate insist on this point. Sher-
man moved that the Senate recede from
its amendment. but his motion was lost
and COckreil's was carried.
Cockrelr presented the conference re-
port on the sundry civil bill 1t was
agreed 10.
Vest spoke on Harris motion to refer
the free sugar and other bills TO the FL
nance Committee. He said it meant death
TO the bills, as the committee was politi-
cally tie, with the prospect of the dIsap-
pearance of quorum within few days.
He declared that the position of the SEN
ate on the tariff had been indicated by the
letter of Secretary Carlisle who proved
conclusvely that if the House bill had
been enacted it would have caused de-
fciency of $50. 100000. He stated that the
power acquired by the sugar trust was the
result of its fostering by the provisions OF
the Mckinley bill.
Vest then proceeded wi his description
Of the difficulties in connection with the
adjustment of a sugar schedule. Under
the Wilson bill, as reported to the House
from the committee, is considered a duty
and bounty. When it was in the House
free sugar was inserted. The Finance
Committee prepared bill which gave no
dfferential benefit to the trust.
And yet" said Vest, with bitterness,
'sthey call US the creatures of the sugar
trust" The Sen ator paused for moment
and then with increased earnestness added ::
''SlandeIous liesI"
Vest said he would not enter into the
charges that the Senate was party to the
fight between the President and the Sen
ator from Maryland (Gorman). He (Ves0
2 had his strong differences with the Sen
atOr on the tariff. and had written a letter
long ago to the GTeyStone Club stating his
objections to the policy of German and
supporting Cleveland for his position on
revenue reform.
But" continued Vest, Il belong to no
man. belong to no faction, and l am
neither Montague nor Capulet. York nor
Lancaster. l can never follow one who
does violence to the principles of the DEM
ocratic party"
"Rscurring to an unpleasant subject,
hope for the last time, l wish 20 say l
have DO quarrel with the President of the
United States. If it were necessary to-
DAY, in order to remain in public life, that
L should retract one word of what said
in the Senate, I should not utter it. No
man. no matter how high his position, has
right to perpetrate an injustice on an
other. AS 1 had told my colleagues-for l
had not been to the White House-that,
although be preferred free coal and free
iron, still the bill as we were preparing it
would receive his support, and as we had
given our labor, our energy, almost our
lives, in the preparation of this bill, for
the President then TO come before the
American people and denounce a measure
which he failed to deDounce before, al
though he knew its provisions, was an act
suffered far more than he.
The result has been and will be, under
existing circumstances. the best campaign
document furnished the Republican party,
Of which we will not hear the last until
the approaching canvass is ended.
'Mr. President, it is not pleasant to In
dulge in personalities, but my attention
has been called recently TO an infamous
statement, coming from a generally repu-
table source. made in the public press, to
the effect that MY action in regard to the
letter of the President to Wilson, in regard
to the bill, had been dictated by q feeling
of revenge against the President. because
he had ignored me in regard to the patron
age of my State.
''Mr. President. l have no private grief
but l wish TO acknowledge in the most
public manner my gratitude to the Presi-
dent for having relieved me from all re-
sponsiblity in regard TO the appointments
in Missouri. Sir, il there is anything in
my public life which has afforded me any
pleasure, real and substantial it has been
the fact that the President IN the exercise
OF his constitutional right. Of which | DO
not complain, Informed me that he no
no longer desired my advice regarding
Missouri patronage.
Il have nothing to complain of on the
part of the President. am ready to fol-
low him now as the old Scotch followed
she banner of Bruce when he fought for
his country and home. / fight for no man.
l fight for principle. my party and my
country.
Men pass away like clouds from the
evening sky, but principle must live for
ever.
''Sir, when any man living accuses me
of personal motives in what / have done
in connection with this bill, though nv
connection with it is now ended, l simply
answer him as Marmion to Douglas :
Lord Angus. thou hast lied"
at the conclusion of Senator Vests
speech Senator Jones offered an amend
rnent to the sugar bill which was read for
Information. Its object was to levy duty
of 80 per cent on sugar, with no protection
to the trust. The amendment was not in
order as the bill was OF before the Senate
Senator Mills then delivered the speech