The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-24


from the truth. and it is due to the Senate.
it is due to themselves, 1t is due to me, it is
due to the country, that the truth shall be
known. Let the people have the truth.
Il pause for reply for my friend from
Missouri"
Vest arose. He began by saying that be
had not himself seen the President since
the repeal of the Sherman law, but with
the Secretary of the Treasury be had fire.
quently conversed. Mr.. Carlisle had re-
peatedly and distinctly stated to him that
the greatest possible calamity that could
happen would be the failure of any bill.
He had distinctly stated to him that no dill
ference in rates should be allowed to stand
In the way of the contamination OF some
change IN the direction of tariff reform.
His colleague, Mr.. Jones, had seen both
Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Cleveland. They
both declared that the bill was acceptable
to them. The bill did not suit him ives },
but he knew il must have the support OF
the administration to pass. and he asked
Mr.. Jones if the President would throw
the weight of his influence for it. Mr.. Jones
replied that the President had said to him,
Il am willing to do anything TO pass the
bill through Congress-"
IF we go into this e mt the President
must be behind u.s." Vest had said.
Mr.. Jones replied that he was.
"TheTeupon," said Vest, Il gave up
my personal opinions and resolved to SUP
port 1t. The Presidents letter was the
first intimation to NE that he was against
il"
When Vest sat down. Jones, who was
in charge of the bill in the Senate, took
the floor. He was as pale as death. He
realized he said, when the bill came 20 the
Senate that it could not be passed in its
form then, aud he had gone to work with
infinite labor and pains TO interview every
Democratic Senator. He ascertained every
objection and had carefully noted them.
He had talked with Carlisle about his
plan and the President Endorsed it. Then
he Jones) proposed the amendments in
consultation with Carlisle. The Secretary
was thoroughly Informed as to the situa-
ton. and he (JOnes) had said to them:
Il will not go one step further il the
administration is not behind me-"
II requested him to explain everything
to the President" said Jones. 81 saw the
President. He told me Carlisle had ex-
planned all. He (Cleveand) said he thought
we were doing what was the wise and
proper thing. Among the amendments
thus prepared were those placing coal and
iron on the dutiabls list. Until l read
CIsyeland's letter 10 Wilson," said Jones
emphatically, Il believed he cordially
approved your action. l had expressed to
him the opinion that 1t must be either this
modified bill or none at ali, and he replied
that in the alternative he favored the
modified measure"
AS Jones sat down, German arose to re-
sumo, but Villas interposed with series
of questions to Jones.
In your interview with the President"
ASKED Villas. "were the subjects Of"
Yes" replied Jones, with explosive
vehemence. "At every conversation be-
tween the President and myself coal and
iron were specially mentioned"
There was burst of applause from the
gallery which the presiding officer had
difficulty in checking.
And" continued Jones. with measured
emphasis on each word, "tbe President
never uttered one solitary word about
going ahead with coal and iron in the bill
as hen in the Senate"
Zone more question:" said Villas. Did
not the President express the hope at all
times that iron and coal should be on the
free list?"
''At all times; but it was the expression
Of a hope that the circumstances would
permit its realization"
Senator GoTmau next summoned Senator
Harris, who left the presiding officers
chair, for the purpose Of speaking as a
witness. Senator Harris stated that in
conversation with MIR. Cleveland be
Harris) had been led to conclude that the
President favored the passage of the COM
promise Senate bill, not because he APP
proved it. but because it was tho best that
could be secured.
Mr.. German then resumed: Now, Mr..
President. My distinguished friend, the
chairman of this committee, the distn-
guished Senator from Indiana, has had in
timale connection Of course with this
measure throughout / happen to know
that he 10 not feeling very well to-day.
and expects himself to make his own
statement before the close of the discus
sion, therefore | shall not ask him to give
the country the benefit of his statement 80
matter may 90 to the people.
"As l have said. sir, this is a most ex-
traordinary proceeding for a Democrat,
elected to the highest place in the Govern
ment, TO traduce the Senate of the United
States, to blacken the characters of Sena-
tors who are as honorable as they dare to
be, who are as patriotic as they can ever
be, who have done as much to serve their
party as the men who are now the bsne-
ticisries of your labor and mine, to taunt
and jeer US before the country as the ad-
vOcates of trusts, as being guilty of dis
honor and perfdy. 1t is TINA to speak.
The limit of endurance has been reached.
The Senate owes it to itself. Every Sena-
tor here who is part Of this Democratic
majority owes it to himself. There is no
power, no matter how great, In this coun-
try, not even the President with his
patronage, that would keep me silent
longer under the charges, under the
imputation so foully made from
such distinguished quarters. / hurl
it back to him and say this
tratment of his fellows is Infamous. 1t Is
destructive TO the Government that men
in high positions should attempt to lower
this body. body conservative, consisting
of eighty-eight representatives of great
States. No man can reach here by devious
ways and remain long. 1t is composed of
men who represent the best thought of
the country, men who have stood and bat
tied for tariff reform when the towards in
higher places dared not show their heads.