The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-08-03
THE TARIFF DEBATE.
Senators Who Led the Opposing
Forces in the Contest.
Why voorhees, Placed the Democratic
Forces Under the Command Of Harris,
Jones and Vest-Leaders on
the Protection Side.
Especial Washington Letter.

Especial Washington letter.
Although the subject of the tariff
has been uppermost in the minds OF
the statesmen of this country during
the past fourteen years; although it is
to-day the leading topic of discussion
by the politicians in the various states;
and although it is the subject concern
ing which there is most discussion by
the plain people of the republic in
every neighborhood; it is yet but little
understood by the country for the rea-
4son that it is matter requiring study,
research, scholarship and ripe Judg-
mcnt.
A tariff bill named after the chair
man of the committee on ways and
means Of the house of representatives,
and therefore known throughout the
country as the Wilson bill. was passed
last January by the house of represen-
tatives and Immediately transmitted to
the senate. The bill was considered
by the senate committee on finance for
xix weeks and was then laid before the
Benate for discussion and consideration.
The chairman of the senate commit
tee on finance, Senator Voorhees,, of In
diana, has been one Of the most poten-
tial political leaders in this republic
for more than generation. 1t was
due to his aggressive leadership that
the Sherman silver law was repealed
during the extraordinary session Of
congress in 1893. 1t was expected that
when the tariff bill was laid before the
senate this year it would be passed in
. similarly masterful and determined
manner by Senator Voorhees,: Dut, to
the disappointment of his party friends,
Senator Voorhees, stepped aside from
the forensic arena and gave the man.
agement of the bill into other hands
than his own. This course on the part
Of Senator Voorhees, was necessitated
by the fact that he is in the sere and
yellow leaf of life, approaching his
three score years and ten, and unable
TO expend in parliamentary contest his
remaining vital forces.
You have undoubtedly read a great
deal about the progressive and deter
mined manner of Senator Harris, of
Tennessee, into whose charge Senator
Voorhees, committed the parliamentary
management of the tariff bill upon the
floor of the senate. It would seem
strange indeed to the average citizen
# he were to see the stalwart Voorhees,
and realize that on account of advanc-
ing years he had laid aside the burden
and brunt of battle: but it would be a
greater surprise to sec the man to
whom the sword and shield of leader
ship We're given. Senator Harris is
nearly bald, save for thin fringe of
gray hair around his neck. His face is
smooth shaven. barring bristling
mustache, which is gray. He looks
much older than Senator Voorhees,.
and it is generally believed that he has
more than passed his eightieth year.
The congressional directory does not
give his age; but states that he com
menced to practice law in ISL" Sem
;ator Harris must have been at least
twenty-one years of age at that time,
and, according to reasonable calcula-
ton, is therefore now not less than
aeventy-four years old. He is never
theless strong, sturdy man of power
full personality, who underworld upon
every occasion to hasten action upon
tho bill
Although Senator Harris had charge
OF the revenue bill in parliamentary
sense, the work Of debating and ex-
planning It was relegated by Senator
Voorhees, to very distinguished and
able colleague of the finance commit
tee, in the person of Senator Jones, Of
Arkansas. As Senator Jones was called
upon to undertake the direction of the
preparation of a compromise bill. the
passage Of which might be procured in
the senate, that distinguished lawyer
entered upon the task with q degree of
surprising to his most intimate friends.
Senator Jones had never been known
"a particular student of the subject
o9 political economy, and, although it
was known that he was a superior
lawyer. it was not presumed that he
had mastered in detail the subject Of
the revenues and expenditures of the
government. Therefore, when he
stepped into the arena to assume the
direction of the bill in debate. his mas
terrui manner and determined spirit
almost dazcd the aggressive republican
leaders. who had anticipated an easy
parliamentary repulsion Of the senator
from Arkansas During the latter part
Of the debate, however, it was custom
sry for the leaders of the minority to
eau upon Senator Jones and discuns