The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-08-02

| hous Oiiiy BChOlhi
principles on which the amendments
were made. With regard to these
two amendments upon which the
specifications of Mr.. Gorman's charge
had been founded the testimony of
Mr.. Jones was clear that the presi-
dent, whenever coal and iron ore
were mentioned, expressed the hope
that they would go on the free
list. Was there any one desirous
of doing open and free justice to
the president who, after reading
Mr.. Jones' own statement, would
not say that Mr.. Cleveland had
never faltered in his urgent demand
for free coal and iron ore? The
president knew, too, each house
would have voice, and therefore
not with duplicity, but with the
openness and boldness that always
characterized him, Mr.. Cleveland
had expressed to the chairman of
the ways and means committee
the hope that the result he desired
should be accomplished in confer
ence.
He had a right to say it after the
conversation as detailed by Senator
Jones; he had right to insist and
urge it by any proper means. But it
was said that the presidents letter
constituted an encroachment upon
the prerogatives of the senate. His
right to send it was denied.
Mr.. Villas then quoted and ranged
alongside of Mr.. Cleveland's utter
ance the statement of Mr.. German
that the senate bill could not pass if
it did not have the hearty support of
Mr.. Cleveland. At the very time
when the president was writing his
letter to Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Villas went
on, dramatically, the senator from
Maryland and his coadjutors were
appealing to Mr.. Cleveland to induce
him to support them in an effort to
qualify the enactment of democratic
principles instead of crystallizing
them into law.
The charge was made that the
senate had been traduced. Extracts
from the letter to Mr.. Wilson were
read to show that the presidents
purpose was not to traduce the
senate, but to plainly state his
aspirations toward reform. The
president had stated that the aban-
donment of that great party principle
would be perfidy and dishonor.
Mr.. Villas said the views of the
senator from Maryland (Gorman)
could mean only one thing. 1t was
an effort to array democrats together
in n spirit of resentment, and thus
carry out the compromise of tariff
reform. The Wilson bill had passed
amid public acclamation. The people
accepted it as the honest execution
of party and public pledge.
But when this revenue reform
measure reached the senate coal and
iron were placed on the du.iable list.
Moreover, it was debated week in
and week out. The public was
wearied at that debate, and yet the
senate could reach no result. 1t was
at this juncture that the senator from
Arkansas (Jones) had brought for
ward over 400 amendments. These
were to bring the debate to a close.
Still the discussion proceeded fifty
seven days. Mr.. Villas said he had
recognized the necessity of yielding
to these amendments. 1t was es-
sential to have a revision of the
existing tariff law quickly. 1t was
essential, too, to re enforce a de-
pleted treasury.
The president could not know all
the details of the bill. He conld only
deal with it in general respects as to
its principle, and therefore he wrote
not to disparage the senate, not to
excused, but justified, and his coun
trymen will justify him and applaud,
as they have already done, his
unflinching fidelity to his views.
Senator Villas then withdrew his
amendment reducing tax on sugar.
Mr.. Stewart (pop., of Nebraska)
began a speech on the respective
prerogatives of congress and the
executive. He declared that the
conditions were such that member
of congress must obey the president
or leave congress. The power and
influence OF the executive were such
that they could control the election
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with a great question, he asserted,
for the president to reopen it after
a compromise had been reached for
the purpose of taking 40 cents ton
off coal and iron.
When Mr.. Stewart concluded, the
president pro tenn, announced the
question to be on Mr.. Hill's resolu-
ton that the senate recede from its
amendments making coal and iron
dutiable at 40 cents per ton.
Mr.. Hill demanded division OF
the question, 80 that the vote was
first taken on iron ore. The repub-
licans, except Mr.. Hansbrough
voted with the democrats, and the