The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-07-26
A BREEZY DISCUSSION.


WASHINGTON, July 20.-Today was
one of dramatic interest in the senate
for the fate of the tariff bill of 1894 de-
pended upon the course pursued In
the upper branch of congress. The
friends of the tariff bill wore anxious
faces and more than once during the
day felt that the very danger point
had been reached. The enemies OF
the bill at times believed that they
would be able to defeat it. When ad-
iournment came the situation was
still perplexing. The senate proceed
ings proper were of peculiar nature
in that the debate was carried on en-
tirely by the Democrats save O brief
speech by Senator Sherman and a
question by Senator Aldrich. The
principal speeches of the day were
those of Senators Hill and Vest,
though others contributed to the in.
terest of the occasion. Senator HIPS
position endorsing the president in
emphatic tones was one of the most
conspicuous incidents of the day.
Senator Vest took occasion to make in
plain terms defense OF the
right OF the senate and
house to manage its conference with
out executive interferences. His
criticism of the presidents course
and che action of Mr.. Wilson and more
severe than was expected He spoke
for the finance committee and the pO-
sitiOn of the senate COnferees. The
action of Mr.. Villas in preceding his
speech with o motion to strike out the
l-Sc differential on sugar was an ad-
ditional sensation of sensational
day, from the fact that it was prob
able that the motion would carry. 1t
caused CONSERVATION until it was
found that the motion may be declar.
ed out of order. The statements of
Messrs. Smith and Blanchard were
important as indicating that change
in the sugar schedule might mean the
loss of their votes while Mr.. Blanch-
ard stated decidedly that he would
not vote for the bill if this change was
made. Mr., Gray's vigorous speech was
enlivened by briet collCquy with
Mr.. Hill. The exciting days proceed
ings closed with an affirmative vote
on the motion to adjourn over until
Monday.
THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, July 20.-Crowds
such as had not tbroDged the senate
in months, packed the galleries today.
The house and the president had yes
terday thrown down the gauntlet to
the senate on the tariff question and
pitched battle was expected. An ON
lnOus hush was upon the chamber
when the president pro tenn, Mr..
Harris of Tennessee, raped the senate
to order. Senator Black burn of Ken
lucky, In a pink negligee shirt,
stood watch In hand while the chap.
lain delivered his invocation, looking
like a judge at Kentucky derby.
The "conseI vativen Democrats, Mr..
Brice in an immaculate suit of white
flannel, Mr.. G lrman in a sedate suit of
blue, and MIR. Smith i'll long black
frocK coat, sat grouped together on
the Democratic side. Mr.. Hill, sit.
ting far back, chatted merrily with
Sen. Dan. w. Sickles, the one legged
veteran of Gettysburg. Senators
Sherman, Aldrich and Hale, the
leaders on the Republican side.
appeared amused at the storm which
threatened across the political aisle
The preliminary routine business
was transacted in a pertupctory way,
Senator Voorhees,, the tall sycas
more of the Wahs ~ chairman of
the finance committee. arose and
called up the conference report on the
tariff bill. Without a word OF explain
alton he yielded the floor 70 senator
Smith of New Jersey, who arose and
read a carefully prepared speech. He
had hoped, he saij, when the bill
passed the senate two weeks ago that
it haG been perfected, but the events
of the last "a hours had confronted
the Democratic party with the posi-.
hility of the failure Of all tariff legi5.
lation at this Session. Ii go, the
responsibility must Oa placed where
ft belonged. He criticised the presi-
dent for "violating" the principles of
his party ia attempting o. interfere
with the prsr1gatives OF the legisla-
live branch of he government, but