The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-20
"yERY EXTRAORDINARY,
Sentiment Of Senators Regarding the
Presidents Letter.

TO the Senate. Mr.. Wilson had kept his
secret OF the possession Of the letter well
guarded, and 1t proved a decided sensation.
Information as TO the contents Of the docu-
ment was urgently sought alike on both
sides Of the chamber copy was fur
nished by the Associated Press, and was in
great demand. 1t was taken to the Dem
ocratic cloak room and read in turn by
groups of Senator'S of four or five, one of
them generally reading ii aloud to the
others, and in other instances, two of
them looking over the shoulders and read
ing with the Senator holding the copy.
After Senator's became familiar with its
contents they again gathered I'm groups to
discuss the document, both with reference
TO the points made by the President and
the policy OF the President in writing it.
So intense and general was the interest
that for two or three hours very little
attention was paid to routine proceedings
on the floor of the Senate. While no Sem
ator hesitated TO express his views privately
the Democratic Senators were loath to
submit TO interviews for publication. They
said that the circumstances were unusual
and that their action as body being in
opposition to the position taken by the
President, they could not give publicity to
their opinions, whatever they might be.
Republican Senators were at first In
clined TO express themselves very freely on
the policy of the letter, but when they dis
covered, as they soon did, that their Dem
ocratic colleagues were generally inclined
to remain silent, they changed their policy
as If by common consent and announced,
when spoken to upon the subject, that
they preferred that the Democrats should
do the talking, declaring that ii was a
time for Republicans 10 be silent. The
Senators was that the writing of such a
letter was very extraordinary" and In
many instances where the speaker was
sure of not being quoted stronger words
were used. These expressions were heard
With slight variations on both the Demo
cratic and republican sides of the chamber.
INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSIONS.
Some OF the opinions of those Senators
who would say anything as follows:
Senator Hill: II prefer TO say nothing
at this time as to the propriety or wisdom
of the. letter. 1t comes rather late and may
all tariff legislation whatever. If the Pres
ident, instead of writing a letter had ex-
ercised his influence TO assist me in get
ting votes for free raw materials when |
was making the fight therefor in the Sen
ate the present unfortunate communication
might have been avoided trust that
there will be more votes now for free raw
materials when | bring forward the propo-
sition again in the Senate, which L expect
10 do. The skies are Frightening"
Senator Brice: Il think it is remarkable
that the chairman of the House committee
on ways and means should have had such
a letter read. Ii is, of course. unparlia-
mentary here for to discuss proceed
ing I'm the other house, but some wicked
Al
force us to do so. So far the sugar
schedule is concerned, it Is the administra-
ton schedule: and If the adminlstrntlon ration
bill on the sugar question: 1t Is the fabric
of the bill as whole that we are con-
cerned with"
senator Murphy: 81 do not care to crit
icise the President. We will answer the
President with our votes"
Senator Villas said that the position was
in line with his policy for tariff reform.
why should he not" asked the Wisconsin
Senator, express his views He was elect
ed on the issue and his administration is
committed to it,"
senator Mills said: 'T indorse the .senti-
inents expressed in the Presidents letter,
especially what he says concerning lead
and iron ores If 1 had my way all ores
would be on the free Est. IL the bill must
be defeated, let those who advance the eX-
treme ideas expressed in the Senate bear
the responsibility.
Republicans were far more willing than
Democratic Senator's to express opinions
on the subject. Their estimate OF the let
ter, with exceptions. was fairly summarized
In the he 3 greaest missaEe evep
made by President of the United States,
and ought to be resented"
whether the tariff situation had been sim
plited or further complicated by the Pres
idents letter was the subject OF mucn
OF the day. Members on both sides OF the
chamber agreed that it would have pro-
found impression on the situation, but there
was a disposition TO wait until the effects
on the Senate had been seen before proph-
esying the results il might accomplish. The
letter together with MIR. Wilson's speech,
constituted a declaration of policy which
was very satisfactory to the revenue re-
form element in the House. II was con-
never yield its principle or free raw ma
terials. and in this it had the strong sup
port and influence OF the President. As
TO the effect of the letter on the sugar
conflict there was wide divergence of opin-
ion. The Louisiana members pro1essed TO
IL, xth no
ter and said that 1t clearly recognized
and approved the policy OF raising revenue
from sugar. on the otner haliq, .9, ,,'se tnose
free sugar expressed apprehension over the
letter They said it seemed to make
deadlock certain.
eral view was expressed by Representa-
tive Hopkins of Illinois. a Republican
member of the ways and means commit
tee: "President Clevelands letter is with
out precedent in the history OF the coun-
try" aid he 1.-The Queen of England
even the Georges in their most arbitrary
day-wOuld not have dared to have eX-
pressed such views 20 legislative branch
of government 1t absolutely precludes the
possibility of the passage or tarin bill
The Senate cannot yield after such a let
ter without humliation and disgrace. and
the House cannot Weld without disregard
ing the views Of the President. and If in
any event the House should yield TO the
Senate bill. the plain meaning of the let
ter is that the President would veto the
bill The President has. therefore, made a
tariff settlement impossible"
No further programme for the confer
ence will be made until the Senate con-
siders the disagreement and reappoints
conferees. Representative Speery, OF Con-
necticut one of the Democrats who voted
against the Wilson bill after making a
hard campaign for protection for the to-
bacco interests OF HIS State. is inclined TO
think that Congress is involved in dead
lock He said that he did not see how
either the Senate or the House could
Weld particularly as the Senate conferees
did not have the necessary votes 10 mass
auv other than the Senate bill "The Pres
Ident's letter" said he. cuts both ways"
Victims Of Molten Metal