The Washington times., 1894-05-23
JONES SpRANG A SURPRISE
Senator Quay Snaps Up Mckinley
lied Amendment in Haste.
SHERMAN NOT QUIET ENOUGH
Seven Paragraphs Of the Tariff Bill Dis
posed of Observation-Disclosures Teller Re-
Dukes Hale for Encouraging Republican
Senators in Unnecessary speech-making.

The Senate disposed of seven paragraphs Of
the metal schedule yesterday after eight
hours of debate. The debate was marked by
the Republicans and Democrats.
The sensational feature Of the day was
caused by the unexpected presentation by
Mr.. Jones of an amendment substituting the
Mckinley bill classification and specific rates
'on round iron in coils, blooms, and charcoal
iron. somewhat higher than those already
proposed. The rates fixed yesterday were as
follows:
etc., 81 per ton; round iron in coils, 6-l0
cents per pound; slabs, blooms, less finished
than bars, Is cents per pound; charcoal!
blooms, Sl2 per ton; beams, girders, etc, and
other structural iron or steel, CLIO OF cent
per pound; boiler plate, from 5-10 to 20 per
cent. Rd valorem; forgings or iron or steel,
~ cents; hoop or band iron or steel COTTON
ties), so per cent ad valorem-
After the transaction of half an hours
morning business Senator Plat resumed his
remarks on his amendment to put 60 cent
duty on iron ore. Mr.. Piatt spoke to such
lengths that Senator Perry Of Arkansas, en-
tered a protest against the Republican hii-
buster.
These remarks brought Senator Hoar out
III OuC Vi LIS lGlll-luNIuE. scuooiihooeSi4y
questions as TO what the people did want. He
then called the Arkansas Senator's attention
to the new cotton schedule and asked him II
he knew what it contained.
'I read it this morning." replied Mr.. Berry,
amid laughter. II don't suppose I could
quote it line for line"
.sDoes it reduce or increase the Mckinley
rates?"
at largely reduces them" retorted Mr..
Berry. who manifested disposition to close
the debate, saying that he had contributed to
the delay OF the bill as much as he intended
for that day.
Mr. Platt's amendment was then laid on the
table.
Senator's Allison and Aldrich then dis
cussed the Finance Committee amend
ment placing 40 cents per ton on iron
ore. 1t was passed without division,
when the Jones amendment to the next para
graph, providing rate OF 81 per ton on all
articles it specified in the paragraph. The
House rate of 20 per cent. on pig iron,
spiegeleisen, etc, and 10 per cent. on scrap
iron and steel and ferro-manganese came up.
Mr.. Aldrich read from letters of Tennessee
iron manufacturers, asking for an increase
of duty, and said their confidence in their
Senators apparently had been well justified.
Mr.. Harris asserted that no member OF the
committee would say that he had ever asked
one OF them to vote for this duty. 4
1lI. AluIlCh Etdu sbdttultuls nun
Alabama manufacturers. and Messrs Vest and
German declared that there had been no in
crease OF the iron manufacturing plant in the
north under the Mckinley law, and that the
increase ad been put n in the interest OF the
north. This brought on an animated discus
sion.
At this point the most interesting episode
of the day occurred. Mr. Jones arose and
offered, on behalf of the Democratic side,
substitute for paragraphs Ill. The paragraph
in the Finance Committee bill was rs follows:
Paragraph I'D All iron in slabs, blooms,
sloops, or other forms more advanced than
pig iron, and less finished than iron in bars,
25 per cent. ad valorem. The substitute was
return to the Mckinley specified duties, al
though it reduced rates.
The presentation of the amendment was
received with surprise. Mr.. Sherman de-
manded an explanation. Mr.. Jones replied
rather CURLY that the substitute proposed to
adopt the classification Of the Mckinley. bill
and to fix specific duties at from one and one
tenth in the first clause to eighteenth cents
per pound; from eighteenth to flve-tenths in
the second clause, and from 500 to s12 on
charcoal iron.
Mr.. Sherman complained that Senators on
his side had had no opportunity to examine
the proposed amendment, and he suggested
that it go over until tomorrow.
"If there is objection" said Mr.. Jones
sharply, Il will withdraw Il"
Il trust that the Senator from Arkansas
will not withdraw it." interjected Mr.. Quay,
(Rep, Pa.) jumping to his feet. But Mr..
Jones refused to be moved by the appeal of
the Pennsylvania Senator, whereupon Mr..
Quay, who had copy of the amendment in
his hand. sent it to the clerks desk saying |
that he would reoffer it.
Meantime there was a good deal of confu- |
sion on the Republican side, and Mr.. Sherman
who by this time saw how the land lay with
drew his objection. But Mr.. Hale. (Rep., Me.)
insisted on some further explanation. The
change of front suggested in this substitute
he said, is SO sudden that Senators on this
side will be excused from being mystified.
Mr. Hale's remarks brought Mr.. Jones to
his feet. He said that upon the suggestion Of
a number of Senators the ad valorem rates in
Ill and 112 were inadequate. On
account of the difficulty OF classification the
committee had agreed to substitute the classi-
flcation Of the Mckinley bill, but had reduced
the specific rates.
Mr.. Sherman said he had been somewhat
surprised at the curt manner in which he had
been treated, ard on being assured that no
discourtesy was intended he said that after
with his colleagues he learned
they were satisfied. especially Mr.. Quay and |
he would be glad 20 see the substitute
adopted.
Mr.. Hale at this point again got the floor
and proceeded TO drralSn the democrats Tor |
this evidence of their aband onment of princi- |
pies.
Mr. Teller, (Rep., Col) attacked Mr.. Hales |
position in a bold, plain-spoken speech. He |
declared that Mr.. Hale was wrong in taunt- |
ing the Democratic side continually. He did |
nor want to criticize actions m the floor of |
the Senate, but he would call attention to the |
fact that the Senate had spent two days on a |
single schedule and both sides had then voted |
together. It was tempting, he said, to show |
the inconsistencies Of tine Democratic party. |
But the American people were not concerned |
about inconsistencies; what they wanted to |
know was what kind of a tariff bill was to |
pass. AS Republicans they should devote |
themselves to getting the best bill possible.
The vote on Mr.. Quay's substitute was 55 to |
3, Messrs. Allen, Berry. Blackburn. Jarvis,
Kyle, Lindsay, Mills, Pasco. and PETER voting |
nay.
Mr.. Jones then offered a number Of other |
which were accepted, as noted |
above Then Mr.. Aldrich offered an amen d.
nent. Mr. Mills started to discuss it, when
Mr.. Higgins tried to interrupt. 20, please |
sit down." said the Texan, impatiently,
you've been talking for two weeks"
Mr.. Aldrich's motion was laid on the table,
and the Senate went into executive session |
md later adjourned