The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-28
A PROPOSITION BY ALDRICH.
He Wanted an Immediate Vote
on the Tariff Bill
AS 1T CAME FROM THE HOUSE,
But Harris Accepted the Offer and
Wanted to Include the Amend
ments Already Made.

until II minutes past IL o'clock to-day that
enough Senators were in their seats to
make up quorum. Allen endeavored to
call up his Coxey resolution as unfinished
business, but Harris objected, stating
there was no such thing as unfinished
business. The chair so ruled. Harris
motion to take up the tariff bill was agreed
to-25 to 16. Dolph yielded to Lindsay his
right to the floor, and the Kentucky Sena-
tor then spoke in support of the tariff bill
He said the country expected opposition
to Democratic revision of the tariff from
Republicans, but could not have antici-
pated that members of the party that won
the last Presidential election on their
pledge of reducing the tariff 10 the needs
of revenue only would oppose Ii. The
justice Of the extraordinary and unfounded
claim that the industrial panic was caused
by the fear on the part OF the people that
their expressed will would be carried out
had received implied recognition In Demo-
cratic quarters.
The Wilson bill is not what such
measure should be, but it is Infinitely bet
ter than the existing law. Tariff reform,
which should be affected at once, would
hasten the return of better times upon an
enduring and constitutional basis. Sena-
tor Lindsay would have preferred tariff
bill pure and simple, unvexed and unem-
barrassed by questions concerning inter-
nal revenue. but the bill is here. and if en-
acted it will be great step in the di-
rection Of reform.
In the course of Lindsay's speech a
colloquy occurred in which Sherman drew
attention to the fact that the Mckinley
law, instead of raising the duty on iron,
steel and other metals, except tin plate,
had reduced the duty. and therefore it was
said. whether right or wrong. that 1t was
necessary to institute a reduction in wages,
which led to the troubles at Homestead.
Mr.. Lindsay agreed that the Mckinley
bill had reduced the duty on iron and steel
from the former tariff law. and he was
aware the manufacturers had attributed
the necessity for reduction of wages % the
reduction OF duties. This was not the
real cause of the reduction OF the wages.
which was to be found in the natural de-
sire of manufacturers to reduce wages
without respect to the rates of duty. In
reply to a question by Aldrich as to
whether Senator Lindsay subscribed to the
doctrine enunciated by Mills, that coffee,
tea and sugar should be taxed and the
duty on steel and iron reduced, Lindsay
said he did not think Mills voiced the SEN
timent of the entire Democratic party.
II do not believe" said Aldrich, "that
either the Senator from Texas ar the Sem
ator from Kentucky knows what the
Democratic party wants." [Laughter.l
"If you will agree to take vote on this
bill to-day you will find out what the DEM
cratic party wants." retorted Lindsay.
81 will agree to take yea and nay vote
on the bill as it came from the House at
O'CLOCK" said Aldrich.
Lindsay said he did not include the pro-
posed amendments of the Finance Com
mittee in his proposition.
At 1:24 Lindsay concluded bis speech,
and Immediately Senators Dolph. Cullom.
Harris and others were on their feet
camoring for recognition.
Harris was recognized, and standing be-
side his desk with the official report of the
coloquy between Senators Aldrich and
Lindsay in his hand 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 to vote on it as
reported to the Senate by the Finance
Committee at 3 o'clock.
Lindsay had disclaimed any authority
to speak for his party on this proposition,
and Aldrich said he would like to hear
from the Senator from Tennessee Harris),
who had charge of the BILL
As Harris read the report of the debate
the interest and anticipation became in
tense. and the visitors In the gallery and
Senators and members on the floor be-
came wrought up to high pitch of ex-
citement.
Now" said Harris. 'while have not
the vanity to assert represent tho Demo-
cratic party, l beg to assure the Senator
from Rhode Island that so far as am
concerned. or so far as l can control the
action of the majority of the Senate, will
consent at o'clock to vote on amend
ments Of the Finance Committee, and then
the final passage of this bill. This can be
done only by unanimous consent. and now
go further and ask for unanimous con.
sent"
"Are there any objections" asked tho
presiding officer, Turpe.
II object" said Culom, and the objec-
ton was followed by laughter from the
Democrats.
Cullom and Aldrich were trying to get
recognition, and Aldrich was heard above
the tumult and laughter to say he wanted
to address the Senate The presiding off,
Ger told him somewhat tartly he would rec
ognize him after he had recognized the
Senator from Illinois. Cullom yielded to
Aldricb. who said:
"Mr. President, In the course of the
speech of the Senator from Kentucky 1
asked the Senate the question as to
whether they would be willing to proceed
to vote on the bill and pending amend
msnt of the Finance Committee at
O'Clock. 1t had no response on that side
OF the chamber"
II tried to respond to the Senator from
Rhode Island" said Lindsay.
II heard no response to that inquiry.
which was direct and easily understood
questions" persisted Aldrich. Il did offer
to this side of the chamber to take vote
on the bill as it came from the House
with amendments. received no res ponso
to that proposition. l then asked If the
Senators on the other side were ready 10
vote on the bill as it stood. would sug.