The Washington times., 1894-04-29
Interesting Running Debate on the
Alleged Compromise Agreement.
JOHN SHERMAN TAKES A HAND
Chandler Admits That Most Senators Do Not
Know as Much About Tariff Progress a.
The Newspaper Man-Stewsrt Comes Out
Agains: Protection.


exhibited in the debates except on the floor.
The isct that many amendments were to b,
proposed to the tariff bill. making a com
promise bill, was again the prominent feature
of the early hours of the session and wa:
brought out by Mr.. Hale, of Maine.
He began by speaking briefly of the pend
ing amendment, the change Of date for the
taking effect of the bill, and said that the
Senator from Tennessee, who had charge OF
this bill affecting the industries of the whole
country, proposed now to decide that on the
Goth of June, only sixtv-fve days ahead, II
should take effect and that every reduction oi
duty every change affecting industries. should
then become law.
Now" he went on, II appeal to the Senator
from Tennessee 10 let this part of the bill-the
date when it shall take effect-remain unacted
on until we have more daylight, until can
see through and know what is likely to be done.
Why, SIR. President do not believe that the
Senator from Tennessee has the slightest con-
ccption Of what this bill is likely TO be when IL
passes
al do not believe the Senator from Tennessee
knows what is going on in corners and holes in
the wall TO fix up bill which will be acceptable
10 :he majority. There is some plan, some
scheme anoat 10 secure the votes Of a majority
of Democrats Six weeks ago the Senator from
Ohio, Mr. B-ico, threw some light on what was
going on"
Mr. Hale had read the interview with Mr.
Brice. 10 which he had referred, and in which
Mr. Brice was reported to have said that a
compromise measure had been agreed upon.
No man who was engaged in making up this
new proposition had seen fit TO deny IL, and, as
the Senetor from Rhode Island had said yester-
day, no matter how many denials were made,
;hirty days, perhaps less time than that, would
disclose TO the country the secret proceedings
ahich were going on.
DID any one doubt, he asked, that tho sugar
schedule would be liked up 10 suit the refners
and that the sugar producers of Louisiana and
Nebraska would be ground between the upper
and neither millstonesa Did not the Senator
LON Tennessee know that the stock Of the sugar
trust had risen from IS TO l03 a result of the
proposed compromise?
Did the Senator doubt that the whole metal
s-hedule WIS to be torn and dismembered and
distorted until he with his clear eye would never
recognize ii as the child of his paternity
lie could say, in spite OF whatever denial
had been made that the whole bill was to
be reconstructed, and that Senators who had
not been in friendly mood toward ii and who
had early and late made known their antip-
athy to it were to be propitiated in order to
gain their votes. This meant that Senators,
like the Senator from Tennessee. who were
honest in their convictions, were to be made
to vote against their firm beliefs in order to
get votes to pass some kind of tariff bill.
He would like to see Jackson or Jefferson or
even Jefferson Davis attempting to make up
tariff bill in holes and corners of the Capt.
tol.
He referred to another newspaper article.
which had just come TO his notice, which
stated that owing to recent development
Mills was kicking like steer"
Well" said he, II don't wonder that the Sem
ator from Texas, who has given SO much time
house drew up tariff bill don't wonder that he
is kicking like a steer. ! don't wonder that he
is kicking when three or four men who have
never been in sympathy with his views (for he
was straightforward and honest mani were al
lowed TO frame bill which was not in sympathy
with his views. doubt whether the kicking
will avail him anything. When they report this
bill, when the party lash is applied then we
will behold tine spectacle of men who have held
one view all their lives voting for a bill which
will murder and slaughter all their beliefs"
Mr.. Harris, replying to the remarks OF Mr.
Hale, which were mainly directed at him,
said:
1.-The Senator from Maine has complimented
me in a manner which shows no disposition on
his part 10 spare my modest bushes, but think
II may be necessary that l should very briefly
define my position in regard TO the pending bill,
and promise to be as brief as l usually am.
ITO begin with, undertake to assert with
absolute confidence that there never was in the
history OF this government tariff bill framed
by either party, there never will be tariff bill
framed by either party, which has not been and
will not be the result of compromising between
conflicting parties My opinions are, perhaps, q
little more extreme than those of nine-tenths of
Senators on this side of the chamber, but have
never yet been sufficiently arrogant or sufi-
ciently confident of my own superior wisdom on
this or any other question as to hold myself
aloof from the opinions of other gentlemen
equally well informed, equally honest, and
equally interested in this government, and
should despise myself If did not bear with my
brother Senators on this side or the other on
questions on which We differ. The man who is
arrogant enough TO say that he will turn from
all suggestions from friend or foe which chance
to conflict with his own opinions, would have no
confidence in and / should condemn and despise
Il do not choose at this time TO go into the
cetails of this bill. i have been ready from the
EesinninG and am now ready, to compromise
conflicting opinions with my brother Democrats
j would even be willing TO compromise with my
friend from Maine IL he showed any disposition
to come to some terms for the abrogation Of a
tariff law which is odious. As to his reference
bill, at the uttermost the only protection given
10 this trust is one-eighth of ! cent, while the
bill gave protection Of one-haf of a
cent"
Mr.. Hale said that the Senator from Ten
nessee had misunderstood him. He had not
said that sugar stock had risen on account
OF the Senate bill, but that it had gone up
since the project for new bill had been agi-
tated.
u do not know what amendments will be
offered to this bill from this side or the other"
Mr.. Harris continued, "but am frank TO tell the
Senator that If there are malcontents here for
my single self, member of the finance COM
mittee and member of the Senate, 1 shall not
made reduction from m the the Rckinley law. SaI how.
ever Objectionable ii might be to my own views |
would seize on it The crucial question is shall
we continue the infamy of the Mckinley law or |
adopt new bill which is not entirely agreeable |
TO me or to other Senators |
Mr.. Hale. promising his question with the |
statement that the sugar schedule of the |
Senate bill had had the close scrutiny of the |
Denate and presumably had the support Of |
MIR. Harris, asked him what his position |
mont which was not offered in the interest Of |
The consumer but in the interest of the |
refiner
al say to tho Senator from Maine," replied Mr.. |
Harris, that am as little in favor of aiding the
reilners of the sugar trust as he or any other
'ome concessions was necessary to pass bill
which will reduce taxation and repeal the odious
Mckinley bill will glory in voting for it. They
IRE GO much less Objectionable than the policy
If the Senator from Maine and of the Mckinley
bill that cannot hesitate If have to choose be-
ween continuing the Mckinley law in force or
adopting measure which is better but not so
inch better as would like. hope the Senator
rom Maine understands my position" he said
iefsntly.
Mr.. Hale replied that he did, and thanked
be Senator from Tennessee for SO forcibIy
md unequivocally stating that he would vote
or anything and everything to protect the
rusts at the expense of the people, in order
o get votes enough to pass the bill, no mat
er what these amendments might involve.
Mr.. Sherman then argued against the pend
ng amendment to change the date when the
ill shall take effect. He urged that plenty
II time should be taken to consider the bill
arefully. for il had never been considered by
he i nance Committee. 1t was bill de novo
II every part OF 1t. 1t was, therefore, neces-
ary to consider it in detail before deciding
rhen it should take effect, II ii ever did take
Iect.
Mr.. Vest replied to the criticism OF the
ction OF the Finance Committee, claiming
hat it had been considered. He also took
ccasion to severely arraiRp the growing Gus