The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-30
Congressional Proceedings.

"WEDNESDAY, MAY 23.-The discussion of
the tariff bill dragged along in the senate,
the pending question being the paragraph
relating to the duty on railway bars of iron
and steel. A lively discussion ensued be-
tween Senators Berry and Hoar. Mr.
Hoar said that democratic senators con-
fessed that they had surrendered their own
Judgment to two or three men, and he ex-
claimed passionately: "Stand up, demo-
cratic senators, if you will, and say that you
are personally in favor of this bill-the
whole of you-a majority of you, one-tenth
part of you. You will not do it. You say
and the people say that it is wicked through
and through. But because two or three
gentlemen have got together in committee
room in corner somewhere, like the
witches in Macbeth, and concocted this
hell broth, you have promised them to
swallow it," Senators Hale, Lodge, Plat,
and Chandler made long arguments against
the reduction OF the duty on tin plate.
- The legislative, executive and judi
cial appropriation bill occupied the atten-
the paragraph appropriating $1,000 for trav
cling and other expenses Of the civil SER
vice commission was lost. The salary of
the register of the treasury was raised from
$4,000 to $4,000, and an amendment was
adopted providing for a commission to di-
vide the Cherokee strip into legislative dis
tricts.
the tariff bill was taken up in the senate
Mr.. Hale of Maine commented on the tariff
bill as whole. He spoke Of the concessions
made to the sugar trusts, saying there
would be 100000 OF clear profit put into
the pockets of the trust by single stroke
Of the pen. He declared that the bill had
on it the badge Of traffic. 1t was bargain
and sale in market overt. 1t was finally
agreed to fix the duty on tin plate at one
and one-hfth cents per pound. - In the
house, under the consideration of the legis-
lative, executive and judicial appropriation
bill, the amendment offered to fix the salary
of Postmaster General Bissell at 900
was promptly ruled out. The amendment
providing for deducting the pay of members
for time absent except because of sickness
was killed by vote OF 127 to 104. An I'M
successful attempt was made to increase
the salary of the superintendent Of the
geological survey from 5000 to SO, 900.
FRIDAY.-The metal schedule of the tariff
bill was concluded in the senate. The duty
| on breech-loading guns remains at thirty
| per cent ad-valorem. - Bills on the pri-
vate calendar were taken up in the house.
| The entire day was taken up in discussing
| an "omnibus resolution" punching together
thirty-seven war claims, mostly from South
Carolina, aggregating over 81 900 900, the
| proposition being to refer these cases to the
court Of claims for adjudication. No defin-
lite action had been taken when the house
| adjourned.
SATURDAY.-In the discussion of the lead
ore paragraph of the tariff bill in the senate,
| Mr.. Hill of New York was turned down in
his motion to place lead ore on the free list.
| lie made long and fiery speech in favor OF
| his motion, to which Mr.. Vest of Missouri
replied. The committees amendment, max
ing the duty three-fourths of a cent per
pound, was agreed to. 60 The attention
of the house was directed to the state bank
tax repeal bill. In discussing this question
Mr.. Springer of Illinois said, The people
demand a greater volume of the circulating
medium. They are entitled to every dollar
OF currency that the business of the country
can use; and under any and all circum
stances, whatever is needed congress should
provide. 1t should be sound and uniform
currency, such as jackson and Gallatin ia