The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-21

CuFlngparty Legislation was hardly greater
IMAM that afforded by the adoption of rules
Which enabled the majority to close de-
pate arbitrarily and prevent obstruction
or delay of any kind Under these cir
cumsIances no difficulty was experienced
Ia passing tariff bill, despite the fact
that ITS provisions were so offensive to
some that the party line was broken, and
no less than seventeen democrats voted
against the bill. Still the majority was so
large and the rules so we'll adapted to
action that their detection was hardly
notlced. 1 submit, therefore, Mr. Presi-
uent, that whatever may have been the
quallty OF the craftsmanship and manage
ment which characterized the conduct of
tne original bill in the House. surely the
highest order of ability was not abso-
lutely essential to that free and untram-
meIed action on the part of the House
conterees to which they seem to attach so
much Importance.
How different was the situation in the
senate. Here the democratic majority
was three. A detection of only two
would turn the democratic majority into
democratic minority. Practically every
vote was needed to enact party legisla-
tlon. Indeed, as matter of fact, there
mas never been time when forty three
senators would bind themselves to abide
Dy the decree of q democratic caucus
l apprehend, Mr.. President, without de-
signing the slightest reflection upon his
capacity as party leader, that the chair
man of the ways and means committee
would have found this situation far more
trying than that which enabled him to
dispense with seventeen democratic
votes and still retain a clear majority of
nearly sixty in the House.
THE SPLIT AMONG THE DEMOCRATS.
I'm any event, many times, too, demo-
cratic senators could not see their way
clear, in justice to the interests of either
their constituents or the whole country,
to vote for the Wilson bill just how
many held this position, ] cannot say. |
know that | was one. l made no conceal
ment of the fact, and l make none now.
1T has been charged that a small
minority OF northern senators insisted
upon consideration for the welfare of
their constituents and that, in conse-
quence of their demands, a majority of
the democratic senators were constrained
to make concessions That is fact. But,
sir it must not be forgotten that the
minority were not only speaking for
vast majority of the people numerically,
but caring for and protecting ninety-nine
one-hundredths of the industries which
have made this nation what it is to-day.
They had a right to speak and they were
heard"
HIS POSITION FINAL.
In conclusion, Mr. Smith said: $50 far
as L am concerned-and l think l speak
also for several of my colleagues-there
has not been and will not be, the slightest
change in my position. | accepted the
income tax in its modified form from a
sense Of duty to my party, but | do so
with the greatest reluctance and with
the distinct declaration regarding other
portions of the measure, that would not
vote for any bill or amendment that
would MAKE it impossible for single in
dustry to continue or resume operations.
| believe, sir, that the committee on
finance will bear me out in the
assertion that have done everything in
my power to aid them in their work 1t
is true that | have urged the necessity of
care and meditation in revising these
schedules which directly concern the in
dustries of my state, but l believe they
will concede a disposition on my part to
be fair and reasonable, and l know that l
have demanded far greater concessions
from my constituents than L have sought
from the finance committee.
A CHARGE OF INsINoERITY.
"Mr. President, it has been charged
that we are not sincere in our advocacy of
the Senate bill; that we have made it for
trading purposes, and that those of us
who oppose the Wilson bill would rush
into line at the first crack of the
whip. | did not suppose, sir, that any
person familiar with the character of
this body would be misled by a notion so
puerile But it is evident from the atti-
tude of our colleagues in the House that
either they do not believe we meant what
we said or they are willing to invite de-
feat of tariff legislation. If the former,
have only to say that they have mistaken
their men. If the latter, they must an
swer to the people for the defeat of a bill
which should, and l believe would satisfy
all reasonable expectations"
He was followed by Mr.. Hill, who pre-
faced a long speech with a motion that
the Senate recede from its amendments
placing coal and iron ore on the dutiable
list He gave a partial approval of the
Presidents letter, and declared that the
democratic senators would have to rally
around the President, or else they would
90 to the wall, while the President would
come to the front; and he added that this
was the time to yield, before further hu-
initiation, further embarrassment and
further discord.
HILL RAISES LAUGH.
Mr. Hills opening sentence was: ga
theory as well as condition now con-
fronts US"
He paused and laugh ran around the
galleries When it had been stilled by the
gavel, Mr. Hill proceeded The theory
Of the Democratic party is that in the en-
actment of tariff legislation free raw
materials should always be an essential
and conspicuous element.
'It is our creed that those things on
which the industrial prosperity and prog
ress of our country so much depend-the
materials which enter into our manu-
factures, should be freed from the burden
of tariff taxation The best interests of |
the manufacturers, as well as the con- !
sumers of the land, demand the recogni |
tion OF this wise discrimination.
eve are committed to this side of the |
question, and we cannot retreat and we |
cannot retract. We are honorably bound !
to redeem our professions and our prom
ises. Justice, good faith and a decent re- |
gard for public sentiment all require this |
course.
COMMITTED TO FREE RAW MATERIALS.
Until recently had supposed there |
was no dispute on this question OF |
principle. but that every demo- !
crat worthy of the name was will |
ing to concede that If there |
was one thing more than another |
To which the Democratic party was COM |
mitted. il was in favor Of the doctrine of |
free raw materials; not simply freer raw /
materials. as some now ingeniously con- !
tend. but absolutely free raw materials. |
/ raneat that we cannot escape our re-
.t.f. IL ]