The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-03
BANTER TO BRING THE TARIFF
BILL TO A VOTE.
Much Time Wasted in Useless Caviling
About the Proposition-Twenty-o
Pension Bills Passed by the
House-Alabama Cot
ton Claim.
THE SENATE.

luton as unfinished business, but Sen.
ator Harris objected, stating that
there was no such thing as unfinished
business. The chair so ruled, Senator
Harris motion to take up the tarff bill
was agreed to, 80 to IS.
Senator Dolph yielding to Senator
Lindsay his right to the floor, the
Kentucky senator spoke in support of
the tariff bill. In the course of Senator
LindsaY's remarks colloquy occurred
in which Senator Sherman drew
attention to the fact that the
Mckinley bill, instead of rails.
ing the duty on iron, steel and other
metals, except the tin, largely reduced
the duty, and therefore, it was said,
neither right or wrong, that it was
necessary to institute a reduction of
wages which led to the labor troubles
at Homestead.
Senator Lindsay agreed that the
Mckinley bill had reduced the duty on
iron and steel from the former tariff
law, and he was aware that the manu-
facturers had attributed the necessity
for reducing the wages to the reduc-
tion of duties, That was not the real
cause of the reduction of wages,
which was to be found in the natural
desire of manufacturers to reduce
wages without respect to the rates of
duty.
In reply tc a question by Senator
A drich as to whether Senator Lind
say subscribed to the doctrine enun-
ciated by Senator Mills that coffee,
tea and sugar should be taxed and the
duty on iron and ste, reduced, Senator
Lindsay said he did not. Senator
Mills voiced the sentiments of the en-
tire Democratic party.
Il don't believe said Senator AID
rich, "that either the senator from
Texas or the senator from Kentucky
knows what the Democratic party
wants. Laughter.
IF you will agree to take vote on
this bill today you will find out what
the Democratic party wants, retorted
Senator Lindsay.
Il will agree TO take an aye and nay
vote on the bill as it came from the
house at O'clock" said Senator Aid
rich.
Senator Lindsay asked why he did
not include the amendments OF the
finance committee in his proposition.
At 1910 Senator Lindsay concluded
his remarks and Immediately Senators
Dolph, Cullum, Harris and Others were
on their feet asking FIR recognition.
Senator Harris was recognized, and,
standing beside his desk with the Of
fetal report of the colloquy between
Senators Lindsay and Aldrich in his
hand, read the proposition, as he said
of the senator from Rhode Island, first
to vote on the bill as it came from the
house and then to vote on the bill as
it was reported to the senate by the
finance committee at 3 o'clock.
Senator Lindsay had disclaimed any
authority TO speak for his party on
these propositions and Senator Aldrich
said he would like to Aear from the
senator from Tennessee, Senator Har-
ris) who had charge of the bill. AS
Senator Harris read the report OF the
debate, the interest and anticipation
became intense, and visitors in the
galleries, senators and members on the
floor became wrought up to high
pitch of excitement.
Now" said Senajor Harris, while
| have not the vanity to assert that |
represent the Democratic party, | beg
to assure the senator from Rhode
Island that so far as am concerned,
or so far as | can control the action of
the majority of the senate, will con-
sent that at o'clock we will proceed
to vote On the amendments of the
finance committee and then on the
final passage of the bill. This can be
done only by unanimous consent, ard
| now 90 further and ask for unani-
nous consent"
The presiding officer, Senator Tur-
pie, said: Are there any objections"
Senator Collum: IL object" Dem
ocratic laughter.
Senators Cullom and Aldrich were
trying to gain recognition and Senator
Aldrich was heard above the tumult
and went on to say that he wanted to
address the senate. The presiding
officer told him somewhat tartly that
he would recognize him after he had
recognized the gentleman from Ili-
nois, (Cullom.)
Senator Cullom yielded to Senator
Aldrich, who said: "Mr. President, in
the course of the speech OF the sena-
tor from Kentucky, l asked the sena-
tor The question as to whether they
would be willing to vote on the bill
and pending amendments of the
finance committee at o'clock. l
heard no response on that side OF the
chamber"
Il tried to respond to the senator
from Rhode aIsland,n said Senator
Lindsay. l had no response TO that
inquiry, which was a direct and easily
understood question, said Senator
Aldrich. II did offer for this side OF
the chamber to take vote on the
bill as it anne from the house with
amendments. | received no response
to that proposition. then asked il
the senator's on the other side were
ready to vote on the bill az it stood
would suggest that l did not ask it OF
Democratic caucus, and also that the
senator from Ohio Senator Brice) may
understand betteE-than would the
senator from Tennessee, l would give
an option of 30 days TO answer. | have
been told since | asked the question
on reliable authority, that last night
the finance committee, representing
that side of the chamber, agreed ia
add 300 amendments 10 the measure.
Senator Nest-'Nane your author
ity."