The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-16
MOURNING LOST
OPPORTUNITIES
Democratic Senators Indulge in Vain Regrets
Over Tariff FizZle
A Measure Which NOBODY owns
Mr.. Vest Turns the Calcium Light
Upon Tariff History and Advances
Opinion That the Senate Can Never
Be Democratic Mr.. Villas and Mr..
Mills Moralze on What Might Have
Been-A Bill That Satisfies No One.
WASHINGTON. Aug. Is.

the free list was taken up in the
senate early in today's proceed
ings and occupied attention up
to the time Of adjournment. In con-
nection with it a communication was
read to the senate from Secretary Car
lislo to Senator Hurris (Dsm, Tenn. },
acting chairman of the finance commit,
Tee, giving figures to show that with
sugar on the free list there would b.
treasury deficit Of from SOS, 600 900 to
$50 0O0. 600. Despite that conmuni-
cation motion was made by Mr..
Berry, Dom, Ark y that the senate
proceed to the consideration of the
bill; and that motion was antagonized
by one offered by Mr. Harris that the
bill be referred to the committee on
finance. Mr. Harris made an argument
In support of his motion. Speeches
against q reference and in favor of the
passage of the house bill were made by
Senators Berry. Vest, Dem., Mo-
Mills, Dem. TeX)
Mr.. VHst's speech was made in the
execution of bis promise to turn the
calcium light on the history of the bill
Mr. Vest declared that the president
had said, before his letter to Mr.. Will
son was sent, that he would support
the bill that passed. AS it was now,
his letter to Mr.. Wilson was a good
campaign document for the RepuOli.
cans.
SENATE ON THE TARIFF.
Mr. Vest said the senate conferrees
had said that they might have either
free coal or free iron ore. But the dif-
ficulty was that the house couterrees
could not be made to understand that
the senate conferrees knew more about
the condition OF affairs in the senate
than they did. He declared with much
emphasis that the senate was not u
Democratic senate on the question of
tariff reform; never was and never
would be, as at present constituted
He was tired OF evasion, suspicion
and lying and be wanted the truth to
be known. He spoke of the newspaper
suggestions that he was actuated BY n
feeling Of revenge against the president
because he had ignored him in regard to
patronage in Missouri. He had no
private grief against the president, but
he wished TO acknowledge his gratitude
TO him for having relieved him from
all appointments. He was ready to
follow the president as the old Scott
followed the banner of the Bruce.
Villas PoURs OIL ON THE WATERS.
Mr. Villas Dem., Wis., replied to
MIR. Vests statement as to the action
OF the Democratic caucus when the
senate bill was first reported to it on
the Goth Of Marcn. That bill, Mr..
Villas declared, was a justfiable bill in
its general features. But the caucus
then voted for free iron and the finance
committee has not carried out that
vote. 1t had acted on the general be.
hest to prepare bill that could com.
mand majority of the votes in the
senate and had reported duty on iron
ore as we'll as on coal
Mr.. Villas left that point and applied
himself to defense of the president
against the animadversions of Mr.. Vest.
He assured that senator that the presi-
dent alluson TO party perfidy had had
no reference to him. and he expressed
his regret that that senator should
think that he could be accused of party
perhdy or party dishonor-he who had
been so honestly and zealously laboring
to bring about the result of the passage
Of tariff bill.
Mr.. Villas said that the Democratic
party had lost such an opportunity as
was rarely, in the providence of God.
offered to political parties. And while
he lamented it, aud would not attempt
to conceal his regret that it had not
done more, he by no means undertook
to say that it had not done much.
NoBoDY's TARIFF BILL
Mr.. Mills Dam., Tex characterized
the tariff bill as now passed, as re-
markable measure. one which did not
reflect the sentiment Of thousand per-
sons in the United States. He was not
amiss in saying that not Republican
favored it; that not a Populist favored
1t; and he would not be far from the
truth in saying that the great mass of
the Democratic party condemned 1t. It
was the product of five or six senator's.
But they had been between the devil
and the deep sea and they had gone to
the sea rather than 20 to the devil
Laughter,
He had no apologies to make for it,
because 1t was better than the McKin-
ley law and was the best that thew
could do under the circumstances. He
did not accept 1t, however, as a final
settlement Of the question Of tariff re-
form. But it was step, a substantial
step, in the policy of putting on the
free list articles that enter into manu-.
features. He now favored the house
bill to put sugar on the free list and he
would have it considered aud passed
now, and not have it referred to the e