The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-07-24
THE TARIFF I L
HILL DEFENDS CLEVELAND AND
VEST DENOUNCES HIM.

VEST DENOUNCEIS HIM.
The Merry War Between the Presi.
denta and House Against the Senate
is to be Fought to n Finish.
WASHINGTON, July 2O.-Crowds,
such as had not thronged the senate
in months, packed the galleries. Tho
house and the president had thrown
down the gauntlet to the senate on the
tariff question and u pitched battle
was expected. An ominous hush was
upon the chamber when President
Pro. TEN. Harris raped the senate to
order.
At 12:17, Senator Voorhees,, the
chairman OF the finance committee,
arose in his place and called up the
conference report on the tariff bill.
| Without a word of explanation he
yielded the floor to Mr.. Smith of New
Jersey, who arose and read q carefully
prepared speech.
He had hoped, he said, when the
bill passed the senate, two weeks age,
that it had been perfected, but events
of the last "a hours had confronted the
Democratic party with q possibility Of
the failure of all tariff legislation at
this session. II so, the responsibility
must be placed whore it belonged.
In conclusion, Mr.. Smith said if he
were q member of the conference COM
mittee he would say to the house con-
feres
"Gcntlemen, this is our bill. 1t is
the result Of great labor and infinite
pains. 1t has met the approval of this
body-thc free trade and protection
elements of our party. 1t is adopted
to conditions, not theories. 1t is not
perfect, but it is as nearly perfect as
we car hope to make it in this session.
In any event, such as it is, there it
lies.
"You are at liberty to take it or to
leave it,"
Mr.. Hill followed with a motion that
tho senate reccdc from it's amend
ments to the house bill imposing a
duty on bituminous coal and other ore.
Then he began his speech in these
words delivered with dramatic effect
"Mr. President, q theory as we'll as
u condition now c%onfronts u.s." He
paused to allow time for his point to
take effect, and Immediately a burst
Of laughter started in the reporters
gallery was caught up and repeated in
all the other galleries.
Tho presiding officer delivered q
short lecture on this breach of pro-
priety and then Mr.. Hill went on with
his speech.
1t was read from manuscript, but
was delivered with great force and
energy, and was listened to with the
closest attention by both Republican
and Democratic senators alike, and by
many representatives of tho house
standing in rows back of the seats,
n by very large crowds in the gal
leries.
MI. Hill continued:
"The theory of the Democratic
party is that in the enactment of tariff
legislation free raw materials should
always be an essential and conspicuous
element. tits our creed that materials
which enter into manufactures should
be freed from the burden of tariff taxa
ton. The best interests of manu-
facturers, as we'll as consumers of tho
land, demand the recognition of this
wise discrimination.
1--WE are committed to this side Of
the question and we cannot retreat and
we will not retreat. W. are hoporably
bound to redeem our professions and
a decent regard for public sentiment
all require this course.
sit is said by some, in justification
of, or excuse for their present action,
that the presidents letter of accep-
lance in 1892 modified the extreme de-
mand of Il platform. 1t Is true that
some portions of his letter may tend to
bear out that construction.
ut was not that bold, ringing and
explicit declaration in favor Of the
platform which his party had a right
to expect but 1t was regarded by many
as timid, cautious and conservative,
but whether this criticism is or Is not
we'll founded, the fact remains that he
hnl mn Nyu ~, n,flN, 30 ---
or alter one line or sentence or provis-
ion of the national platform which had
been deliberately adopted in the ma
tional convention duly assembled.
N president can be above his party,
no president can dictate to his party,
no president can change his party's
platform. But, no matter what ideal it
may be claimed was intended to be
conveyed In his letter OF acceptance in
mitigation or modification to the plat
form, there can be no doubt as to the
presidents position at this time upon
this essential principle of free raw ma
terials.
"Let me read from that remarkable
letter OF the presidents which wa yes
terday submitted to the house of rnprs-
sentatives. It Expresses better than I
can hope to do, the true, sound and
logical position of the Democratic
party upon this question"
After reading extracts from this let
ter, Mr.. Hill went on as follows.
"Mr. president, / approve of every
word that / have quoted. 1t is an hon
est and manly statement of true attitude
which tho party should assume in this
crisis.
81 am not required to defend the
propriety or wisdom Of the promulga-
ton OF this letter at this peculiar time. |
1t may have been indiscreet, it may
operate as a firebrand to spread the
flames Of discord which are .afready
kindling among party friends: honestly
differing, as / am dispos9B to concede
upon nneations OF publt6k nnntu nnlinu J