The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-25
THE SESSION IN DETAIL.
Remarkable Speeches and n Dny of
Genuine sensations.

Genuine sensations
Crowds as had not thronged the senate
IN months packed the galleries today.
The house and the president had thrown
down the gauntlet 20 the senate on tho
tariff question. and a pitched battle was
expected. An ominous hush was upon the
chamber when the president pro tenn.
tMr. Harris OF Tennesaecl raped the sem
ate TO order. Senator Blackburn OF Ken
lucky In a pink ncgligee shirt, stood,
watch In hand. while the chaplain deliv-
cred his Invocation. looking like a judge
at Kentucky derby.
The conservative" dem0crats-Mr
Bricc I'm an immaculate suit OF white
flannel. Mr.. German In sedatc suit Of
blue and Mr.. Smith In long black
frOck coat-were grouped together on the
democratic side. Mr. lin, sitting FAR
back, chhttcd taerrily with Dan Sickles.
the Ouc-lccged veteran Of Geltysburg
Senators Sherman. Aldrich, Allison. Hale
ana Chandler. the leaders on the re-
publican side. appeared amused az the
storm which threatened across the po-
lltical aisle.
The preliminary routine business was
transacted In perfunctory way. SEN
ator Voorhees,. chairman Of the finance
committee, arose and called up the con-
ference report Of the tariff bill. Without
a word Of explanation he yielded the
floor TO Senator Smith Of New Jersey
who arose and read carefully prepared
speech He had hoped he said when the
bill passed the senate two weeks ago
that &c had been perfected. But the
events or the last tWenty-four hours had
confronted the democratic party with
the possibility OF the failure OF all tariff
legislation at this session. If so the re-
spOuslbilty must be placed where II be-
iOngcd He criticised the president for
violating" the principles OF his party in
attempting o. interfere with the pre-
negatives of the legislative branch OF the
government. but declared that ne should
never be inundated by threats from the
president nor by the uttcrances Of his
party associates at the other end Of the
capitol. which had been so uproariously
applauded.
fe called attention to the difference
between the situation In the house and
senate. He reviewed the events in the
house which eliminated In the passage
Of the bill, with the loss OF seventeen
democratic votes IN that body. In the
senate all was changed. Every demo-
crat vote was needed TO pass a bill. II IL
was 10 be passed as party measure.
and the members Of the finance commit
tee went heroicaliy 10 work 10 harmonic
THE differences existing in the demo-
cratic side. They had accomplished that
purpose 20 their everlasting credit, be IL
said lie had been one OF those who had
stood out for concessions in the interests
of his constituents; he made no conceal
ment OF his position then; he made none
now.
He then proceeded TO deliver a glowing
eulogy OF the tariff bill as It passed the
senate, which, unlike that OF the house,
he declared, contained no menace TO the
Industries OF the country. and had not
been framed by men from sparsely set
tied districts, who knew nothing Of the
great commercial interests of the United
States. He asserted that the trainers OF
the house bill and q large proportion OF
ba 10 rid
formers: they were free traders.
Il have tried Mr.. President to define
the position Of my colleagues and myself
with the candor and moderation betting
a member Of this body. I have tried To
speak dispassionately and in a spirit OF
triendlness rather than of hostility |
have tried TO be frank and have scriipu-
ously avoided covert threats by infer
snce or inunendo. i have not supposed
Eases Of whose existence know nothing
have not said that II this be true, such
and such must be done But I'm the cir
cumstances and in view OF what has been
said, / should certainly fail In my duty
II failed 70 speak with the utmost plain
ness. And so. sir l say in conclusion, in
all friendliness toward those who have
aspersed our motives. that so far as l
am concerned, they need expect no fur
Their concessions. / have labored earn
estly and honestly 10 bring about a sat
isfactOry settlement OF the question But
sir, / have reached the limit | have
done. 1t would be unbecoming in me.
Mr.. President, 10 suggest 10 our con-
ferees what they should do. They are
older and wiser and know what is best.
But II is certainly fitting that they should
understand the wishes Of their colleagues.
And so / say, for myself / know. and
for many others, / believe. tina. II ! were
a member of that committee / should
say TO the conferees from the house I'm
answer TO the defiance which has been
flung In our faces: Gentlemen. there is
our bill Ii is the result Of great labor
and infinite pains. IL has met the APP
prevail both Of the free trade and pro-
lection elements Of our party. 1t Is
adapted 10 conditions, not theories. 1t Is
not perfect. but il is as nearly perfect
as we can hope 10 make Il at this session.
In any event, such il is. there IL lies.
You are at liberty to take II or leave it
That, sir would be my position. / would
not recede from II SO much as a hairs
breadth"