The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-23
WEDNESDAY Arc IL

In the Senate, sensation was sprung in the
shape of Secretary Carlisle's letter. Senator
Harris prefaced this action by having the -four
free material bills read and secured time. Then
the letter was sent to the Clerks desk and
read. When the passages were read which
declared that without the duty on sugar in the
Senate bill there would be deficiency in the
Treasury the Republicans smiled broadly.
At its conclusion Senator Harris arose and
moved 10 refer the bills to the Finance Com
mittee. He could not permit the Senate to
adjourn without providing sufficient sources
of revenue to meet any deficiency.
Senator Berry asked for immediate action on
the bills.
Senator Harris declared that the bills would
not be buried in committee. Rather than
have that happen he would ask to have the
vacancy on the committee filled. But he
thought in view Of the danger of a deficiency,
the Finance Committee would consider the
bills.
Senator Vest began his remarks by saying
that the reference of the bills to the committee
meant their death. Then he pointed out grave
inconsistency between the Presidents letter to
Mr.. Wilson and Secretary Carisle's letter, just
read.
II am ready" he declared with vehe-
mence, Ito fight under the banner of the
President for tariff reform to the death. But
the criticism that has been heaped upon me,
and the position in which / have been placed
during the past five months is uncomfortable"
From this he turned TO the criticism of the
Senate. No wonder" said he, with uplifted
hand, that the public declares the Senate
Tags superEuOus on the stage when we sit here
day after, while almanacs statistics even
novels, are read 10 us under the rules and we
are powerless to help ourselves
The Finance Committee prepared a bill
which gave no diferential benefit to the trust !;
and yet" said Fir. Vest. with bitterness "tbe
newspaper correspondents call US the creatures
of the sugar trust. belong to no man. / be-
long to no faction. ] am neither Montague nor
Capuiet, York nor Lancaster. ] can never
follow one who does violence the principles of
the Democratic party"
Alter declaring how Senator Jones and him.
self had fought the sugar trust in the CON-
nittee came a severe criticism of the House
eonlerees for their vacillating course.
Then he closed with an appeal to settle the
sugar question now. "Who does not know all
about the duty?
refined, and strike out the diferential in favor
OF the trust? Why not take the responsibility
and strike out that protective duty?
Recurring again 10 an unpleasant subject"
he continued % hope for the last time, / wish
10 say have no quarrel with the President of
the United States. / made no attack upon the
President Of the United States
e simply defended the motives of myself
and my colleagues upon the Finance Com
mittee. No man, no matter how high his posi-
ton. has a right TO perpetrate an injustice
upon another"
Senator Mills then delivered bitter speech
against the Senate bill, declaring his belief
mat the sugar tax was unnecessary for revenue.
Mr. Harris said that at this time he would
prefer to take Secretary CarIisle's judgment to
that of Mr. Mills, and would insist on his mo-
ton.