Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-08-20
FIFTT-THIRD CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.
SENATE.


present when to-day's session opened.
AIr. Harris, acting chairman Of the
finance committee, reported from that
committee the House free sugar bill.
with substitute putting duty of 40
per cent. ad yalorem on all sugars
cents per gallon on molasses testing
above 40 and not above Sc and cents
per gallon on molasses testing above %
degrees.
NIr. Henderson asked Mr.. Harris for
information as to what had become OF
tho amendments offered to the bill,
particularly as to his own amendment
for a continuance of the sugar bounty.
Mr.. Harris-The committee voted
upon it.
Mr.. Allison, member of the finance
committee, said that he felt, as did the
majority of Senators, he had no doubt
did, that the vote of the Senate last Sat
urday in favor of Mr. Manderson's
amendment was practically an instruc-
ton That the finance committee should
report back that amendment.
Mr.. Chandler inquired of Mr.. Harris
as TO what became of his amendment
10 repeat and cancel the tariff bills as
passed by the House of Representa-
tives.
Mr.. Harris-Perhaps the briefest,
most pertinent and respectful answer
hat | can give to these various in
quiries may be found in the fact that
he committee has reported the bills
back with an amendment; and that is
really all that | need say. But l will
say to the Senator from New Hamp
shire that there was majority of the
finance committee decidedly opposed
to his amendment.
Mr.. CHANDLER ask a parliamentary
question whether the rejected amend
ment should not be reported back from
he committee and 90 on the calendar
A contemptuous laugh from Mr.. Harris
and remark from Mr.. CocKrell,
that is ridiculous. Don't answer it, "
Il do not want the Senator from
Missouri" said Mr.. Chandler tartly,
TO answer questions that l ask the
Senator from Tennessee. am willing
to take the ruling of the chair. should
prefer that always, but the chair does
| not always have an opportunity to an
| swer." Laughter).
The Vice President-The Senator
from Tennessee reports back the bill,
which goes to the calendar.
Mr.. Chandler-Now, as to the status
of my amendment?
The Vice President-The chair has
no information with reference 10
amendments not reported by the com
mittee.
"If the Senator from New Hamp-
shire will allow me" Mr.. Harris be-
gan.
The Senator" Mr.. Chandler broke
in, need not ask my permission to
made statement. | will allow him
to do so, with pleasure; although l
should prefer that he should not make
it." Laughter.)
at isl Mr.. Harris went on, "the
most innocent of all innocent state
ments. Neither the Senator from New
Hampshire nor any other man who
served three hours heard of an amend
ment which had not been favorably
considered, reported back by commit
tee with a bill. | propose to report
some other bills" This was said in a
tone of impatience.)
Il apologize" said Mr.. Chandler,
sarcastically, for my ignorance-hav-
ing served more than three hours, and
| not knowing the rule which the Senator
has laid down. / have not studied par
liamentary law as much as he has, and
regret that l have given him any pain
or agony by my inquiry"
81 want to put on record my certif-
cate said Mr.. Harris severely, that
the Senator from New Hampshire was
not ignorant Other motives controlled
him-not that OF ignorance. laugh
teri
Mr.. Mitchell gave notice that if the
sugar bill as just reported ever came up
for action he would offer an amendment
to add to it a provision re-establishing
the wool duties in the act of 1890
Mr. Quay inquired of Mr.. Harris
what had become of his amendments
to re-enact the Mckinley law.
Mr.. Harris did not pay any attention
to the inquiry, but reported back from
the finance committee the second Of the
House bills-the one to put Oh the free
list bituminous coal, shale, slack and
coke, with an amendment that when it
is imported from any country or de-
pendcncy that imposes duty on BIZ
luminous coal like duty shall be i'm
posed upon it.
The bill was placed on the calendar
Mr.. Harris then reported, without
amendment, the bill to place on the
free list all ores Of iron; and it also was
placed on the calendar.
The last Of the four bills-as to barb
ed wire-was reported back by Mr.
Harris. with a substitute providing that
''all barbed fence wire, and all other
fence wire, in strap round, fiat or twist,
OF iron or steal, when imported for the
manufacturer of such fence wire, shall
be admitted free OF duty under such
rules and regulations as the Secretary
of the Treasury may prescribe"
The bill was placed on the calendar.
Mr., Allison explained that when the
barbed wire bill came from the House
it did not put on the free list the ma
terial of which fence wire is made.
There was no provision in the House
bill whereby fence wire or barbed wire
was made free. On the contrary, the
very reverse was provided for. The
material used was made free, while the
duty remained on barbed wire.
Mr.. Harris-It is true, Mr.. President,
that the construction which the finance
committee puts upon the House bill is
that it makes iron and steel rods free
and does not make barbed wire free,