New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-07
THE DOMINION COAL co.'s PULL
NO ACTION YET TAKEN ny THE SENATE
IN THE WAY OF INVESTIGATION.
LIVELY AND INTERESTING DEPA1E-cNcf'ooS
OPPOSE MR.. CHANDELIERS RESOLUTION
or INoUIRY-AN AMENDMENT
ry MIR. MILLS.

OPPOSE MP. CHANDELIERS RESOl'Ol !ON
OF MOUNTAIN AMENDMENT
rY MIR. MILLS.
yos,,rcton Aug Ga Joint resolution was
Offered In the Senate to-day by Mr. Palmer Dcrn.
I'D and laid on the table. appropriating sloo Tor
marble bust of the late General Joseph Holt with
suitable pedestal bracket. to be placed III inc
CAPITOL or in the War Department Building
MI Mills Dem. Tex offered resolution de-
carng that in the revision of the National taxation
these three principles should be observed; iha' al
taxes are burdens and can only be rigntluNy ''n-
posed 10 raise revenue for the support OF the Gov
eminent; that when taxes are imposed on imported
goods the rates should be so low as not materially
to restrict the importation OF the article; and that IN
selecting the articles TO be taxed only those reauS
for consumption should be chosen. ana that All
others imported for manufacture or reranulactufe
should be exempt from duty. The resolution. at
Mr. Ms's request. laid on the table tempo
rarily. Mr. Mills saying that he would call 1t up in
q few days and make some remarks upon ~
i conference was ordered on the Deficiency APP
preparation nil.
MIR. Chambers resolution for inquiry into til"
facts connected with the organization and history
of the Dominion Coal Company. of Nova Scotia
was taken up. and Mr.. Mills moved an amendment
to it instructng the special committee 10 inquire
also whether or not any officer OF the government
or any member of Congress ia. or was. interested
in any corporation or company engaged in mining
coal In any Of the States or Territories OF the
limited States or in any railroad company engaged
In transporting COAL that would come INTO coiiPe'
tition with Nova Scotia or Dominion coal IN any
markets of the United States, and whether IN
huences have been used to maintain tariff tax
on coal for their benefit: also as to whether the
removal of duty on coal would reduce It's price to
the consumer of coal in any parts OF the United
States and if so. what parts of the United States
would be benefited.
The amendment of Mr.. Mills appended 10 Mr.
ol,.tiou aud a a
stitute for IT. suggestion was made as to having
the inquiry made by a new select committee OF
five instead Of by the Gray select committee ana
after an interchange of some remarks between
Senators Chandler and Mills the resolution WAS
modified in that sense.
AS Mr.. Hill had suggested that the matter 20
over for the present Mr. MIS- now asked MN
whether such was his desire but Mr.. Hill re-
piled that the subject might We. be disposed 81
now.
Mr. NILS said that he did not care to discuss the
question further. and that he was wllhs 10 ao'e
the decision OF the Senate
Mr.. White dem. Ca!) said that ne was oppoSei
both to the original resolution and to the substitute
He thought that the proposed investigation would
be useless of time and money. There was no
charge contained in the resolution or SUBSTITUTE
nothing that was susceptible Of investigation by
any respectable body on the face Of TIE earth
There was nothing that gave the Senate any justin
cation in the premises and witnesses. or supposed
witnesses might treat with con;emp; the fat OF an
investigating committee.
But he supposed that the resolution had been
offered by the Senator from New-Hampshire for
the purpose of getting an opportunity TO make an
amusing speech. No seriously imagined mat
that Senator had any idea that the proposed IN
vestigation would result in bringing any matefla!
proposition TO attention Of the American peop.e
and for that he would vote against the SUD-
sti;ute and the original resolution.
rkpd
California had been in a chronic state OF being
amused all the session. That Senator had been
amused at the condition in which his party found
Itself on the tariff question; and now that there
was a proposition to investigate the Dominion coa
Company for the purpose of removing scandal
which had been circulating for the last SIX months.
he found nothing in 1t except amusement.
But there was serious thing in the remarks
of the Senator from California. He had taken oc-
castor to advertise TO the world that witness
summoned before the committee could be compelled
to testify He had undertaken TO tell II. F. Dimock'
OF Boston, a director Of the Dominion Coal Com
pany who in Washington to-day with MS
pockets filed with certificates Of watered stock,
that he was not Obliged TO say single word to
the committee. l, had got to be very much the
fashion In the Senate, whenever investigation
was proposed for some Senator TO get up ana say
that there in making the investigation
because no witness was obliged TO testify. lie
thought that when an organization was ioTnen
with Si3500,CO OF Watered STOCK, anu "heh tH't'
was so much scandal IN connection with il. the
Senate could afford to find out what IS being done
with these certificates Of stock. and whether the
Senator from New-York (Mr HE'D or the Senator
from California (Mr White) might not be in danger
OF being approached Oaugher): whether these Sen
ators should he allowed TO rely on their own virtue
alone TO resist temptation; or whether the senate
should not surround them with its protection by an
investigation Of the facts 50 that their youthful
innocence might be guarded 1t seemed to nm
that this not a matter OF amusement Simply;
and he hoped TO convince the Senator from CALI
fornia THAI he CMr. Chandler) was IN earnest
about H.
Mr. Gray Dem, DELI asked Mr.. Chandler
whether there any difference in point OF
morality, between company oTganiZed on the
hone condition or expectation that tarif duty
should be put in. and one organized on The nope,
condition or expectation 'ha' t'''" "-'' '
be removed.
"None whatever" Mr.. Chandler said; and then
Mr.. Gray asked him whether he had not heaFd
of companies being organized on the expected pro-
visions OF the Mckinley act-as foT instance inc
tin-plate company
81 know Of no difference whatever" Mr.. Chonder
repeated. and IL any company was organizer
whose Fundamental, conditions were tha' 'herc
should be $l3 1000 OF watered stock ana thl' d
certain duty should he taken OFF. would nave
that company investigated and ina OUT no" IL F'o-
posed to influence legislation
Mr. Dolph (Rep, Ore) characterized every IN
yestisation ar farce when witnesses were allowed
TO refuse TO answer pertinent questions. The facts
could no. be got at except through testimony and
testimony could not be got unless witnesses were
compelled to testify
Mr. Faulkner Dem, ". Va) said that he felt
under obligation to vote for the SUBSTITUTE De-
cause It referred some improper influence sup
posed 10 be exercised by Senators who were In
favor of duty on coal. and because he (Mf.
Fauikner) had personally advocated. on the floor
Of the Senate and at all times reasonable revenue
duty on coal Fortunately or unfortunately-hc ga
not know whioh-he ala not own pounsI OF co aI
ala he own q cents worth OF stock In transporta-
ton company; and, therefore, nc could look al