Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-04-28
SENATORS PLAY BLUFF
Tariff Debate Took an Interest.
 ing and Exciting Turn.
DEMOCRATS CHALLENGED TO VOTE.


 First Lindsay BlufTed and Was Called by AIdrieh, Who Was Called In Turn by Harris-A Short and Hasty Conference on the Floor of the Senate
 WASHINGTON, April 2S.-It was field day in the senate. There were maneuver, ing, marching, clashing and rapid firing The bugle notes of defiance had sounded on both sides. The battle flags waved in the senate over the heads of chieftains oi tariff reform and protection. Possibilities did not actually begin, but it was appar. ent that there was no intenti0a that they ing, retreats and a quick reforming of lines, leaving the contesting armies within the same Notifications and camping on the same grounds as before.
 The news of the lively passage at arms going on spread rapidly, and d number ot representatives from the other end of the capitol hastened over to make eager in. quiries. Related newspaper men came hurrying eXcitedly toward the capitol from up town, and the wires from the senate telegraph office were quickly loaded with widely varying opinions as to whether there was to be vote of the tariff bill i'm mediately or not.
 The discussion was started by the senior senator from Ohio, MT. Sherman. It was not his intention to create disturbance when he injected a remark into the speech of Senator Lindsay of Kentucky.
 The junior senator from Ohio has been enjoying considerable notoriety by his re- cent assertion that "a tariff bill had been agreed upon by the Democratic leaders which would pass the senate. but it was not Senator Sherman's intention to again bring Ohio prominently to the front.
 Aldrich Drops the Glove.
 Sherman's remark was followed by MT. Aldrich, who is the recognized leader ot the Republicans in the tariff fight, and in the colloquy in which he engaged with Mr. Lindsay there developed the most in teresting situation that has yet taken place during the tariff debate in the senate. MT. Aldrich had pointed out the difference of opinion between the Democrats of the sen ate and intimated that they could not agree upon tariff bill to which Mir. Lind say replied that if the Republicans would give them ain opportunity they would soon show that they could agree.
 MT. Aldrich here startled the senate by offering in behalf of the Republicans to vote at o'clock on the bill as it came from the house. Mir. Lindsay skillfully parried the thrust by asking, Why not vote upon the bill as reported by the sen ate finance committees"
 MT. Aldrich here became bold, but at the same time wary, in the use of Ian guage, and he asked MT. Lindsay if the Democrats would vote on the bill as it now stood. The Kentucky senator was willing so far as he was concerned, but could not pledge the vote of his col leagues.
 Mir. Aldrich demanded that Mir Harris of Tennessee speak for the Democratic side and say whether or not the Democrats would vote on the bill as it now stood at o'clock. The interest of senators and spec tators in the gallery became intense.
 All eyes centered upon the sturdy, white haired senator from Tennessee, but he did not reply. There were hurried consulta- tions. and it was soon known that the de fiance of the Republicans would be hurled back, and there was an air of expectancy when Mir. Lindsay neared the end of his speech. When he finished, Mir. Harris was on his feet immediately, and although oth- CTS sought the floor he was recognized. With the official report of the colloquy between Senators Lindsay and Aldrich in his hand he read the proposition, as he said, of the senator from Rhode Island first, to vote on the bill as it came from the house, and then tS vote on the bill as it was reported to the senate by the finance committee at o'clock. Mir Lindsay had disclaimed any authority to speak for his party on these propositions, and Mir. Al drich said he would like to hear from the senator from Tennessee (Harris), who had charge of t&e bill.
 As Mir. Harris read the report of the de bate the interest and anticipation became intense, and visitors in the gallery and senators and members on the floor became wrought up to high pitch of excitement.
 Harris Returns the Defiance.
 Now" said Mir. Harris, while have not the vanity to assert that represent the Democratic party, beg to assure the sena- tor from Rhode Island that so far as am concerned, or so far as can control the ac- tion of the majority of the senate, I will consent that at o'clock we will proceed to vote on the amendments of the finance committee and then on the final passage of the bill. This can be done only by unani- nous consent, and l now go further and ask for unanimous consent"
 The Presiding Officer (Mr. Turpie)-Are there any objections?
 Mir. Cullom-I object. Democratic laugh ter.
 Senators Cullom and Aldrich were try ing to gain recognition, and Mir. Aldrich was heard above the tumult and laughter to say that he wanted to address the sen ate.
 The presiding officer told him somewhat tartly that he would recognize him after he had recognized the senator from Illinois (Mr. Cullom.l
 MT. Cullom yielded to MT. Aldrich, who said: MT. President, in the course of the speech of the senator from Kentucky asked the senate the question as to wheth- CT they would be willing to pSoceed to vote on the bill and pending amendments of the finance committee at o'clock. It had no response on that side of the chamber"
 'I tried to respond to the senator from Rhode Island" said Mir. Lindsay.
 II had no response to that inquiry, which was a direct and easily understood ques- tion," persisted MT. Aldrich. II did offer for this side of the chamber to take a vote on the bill as it came from the house with out amendment. I received no response to that proposition. 1 then asked if the senators on the other side were ready to vote on the bill as it stood. I would sug- gest that I did not ask it of Democratic caucus, and also, what the senator from Ohio (Mr. Brice) may understand better than would the senator from Tennessee that I would not give an option of 30 days to answer. l-aughter.l l have been told since I asked that question, on credible authority, that last night the members of the finance committee representing that side of the chamber agreed to more than 800 amendments to the pending measure" "
 MT. Vest said, Name your authority"
 Mr. Aldrich replied: "I think that the senator from Missouri found out the day before yesterday that he was not we'll ad- vised as to what was going on on the Dem ocratic side of the chamber. He may be as ignorant of what is now going on, and before the hour of o'clock more than 10C more amendments may be made to the bill Now, do not intend to commit my self or any one else to a bill know noth- ing about. If the senator will state prop osition to vote on the house bill at an early hour next week. believe that proposition will be accepted" '"
 Al.