Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-16
T A RIFF F 7 AL K
The Senate Drifts Into a Discussion
Of the Subject.
CONFERENCE SECRETS ARE DISCLOSED
Mr.. Vest Tells About the Sugar
Schedule.
M TIERS IN THE HOT S

Senator Cockrell stated, when the Senate
assembled today, that he hoped to secure a
vote today on MIR. Hills income tax amend
ment to the deficiency bill, which has given
rise to such a wide range Of discussion.
1t was anticipated. however, that the In
teresting features of the debate were not
yet closed, as Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Lodge were
expected to speak during the day. Senator
Pettigrew OF South Dakota was on the
floor for the first time since he was re-
elected for six years. and received the con-
gratulat1Ons OF his fellow Senators.
Mr.. Butler favorably reported from the
committee on naval affairs the bill for
comprehensive revision Of the personnel of
the navy.
Bills Passed.
Bills were passed to provide for coinage
at the branch mint at Denver, Col; author
izing certain naval officers to administer
oaths; to exempt from duty foreign ex-
hibits at the cotton states exposition at
Atlanta; granting the ella Valley, Globe
and Northern railway right of way
through the San Carlos military reservation
in Arizona.
Mr.. Cameron gave notice that on the
26th instant, at o'clock, he would call up
the resolution of respect to the memory
Of the late Representative O'Neill Of Penn
sylvania.
With routine business disposed of the
pending deficiency bill was taken up and
Mr.. Hill addressed the Senate on his ap-
peal from the ruling Of the chair, that his
amendment to the income tax appropria-
ton was out of order.
Mr.. Hill confined himself to technical
discussion of the parliamentary status.
The Senators busted themselves at their
desks and there was rot the usual interest
which attaches to Mr.. Hills remarks.
Mr.. Vest ON the Conference.
Mr.. Vest renewed interest in the general
subject by referring to the continued at
lacks Of the Senator from New York on
the income tax. Il am tired Of hearing
this ceaseless abuse of the tariff BILL said
he, "by men who know the circumstances
and difficulties which confronted u.s.
Mr.. Vest proceeded to show the trials OF
the conference committee on the tariff.
They had worked day and night for the
two weeks until the gentleman from New
York (HilD precipitated crisis by Offer
ing resolution to the Senate to discharge
the conference committee.
Mr.. Hill rose to ask If the Senator was at
liberty to disclose secrets of the conference
committee. 1t would he q chapter Of in
teresting disclosures to the country. Mr.
Hill said he would be glad to be informed
IL the conference committee were consid-
ering the income tax at the time the Senate
acted.
Mr. Vest said he felt in justice to himself
be a statement of it's transactions. The
income tax had been referred by that COM
mittee to Mr.. McMillin, representing the
House, and himself Vest the Senate. They
worked night and day and reported to the
full committee, and at that time the reso-
luton Of Mr.. Hill precipitated crisis
In the Senate.
Mr.. Vest directed his attention to the
statements of the Senator from Maryland
(Gorman). that the Senate passed more
bills than the House. Mr.. Vest declared
| that of course a small body could act on
routine bills more expeditiously than
larger body. Yet" continued he, every
one knows we stand here like lot of
muscovite brakes, bowling and STOPPING
solemnly and then go stupidity to the con-
sideration of routine.
Proddcd by Republicans.
Mr.. Allison uowa) INTERCEPTED the ques-
ton: Did you not pass the tariff bill?"
Yes" responded Mr.. Vest; I'VE passed
it after the country was tired and dis
gusted With the subject.
Mr.. Hawiey suggested that the Senator
should not complain of the delay on the
tariff bill, when it resulted in adding the
tUO Senate amendments to the Wilson bill.
The Senator certainly approved such a
good thing, said Mr.. Hawley.
Il am not SO sure they were good
thing" said MIR. Vest, amid laughter.
II had forgotten that an election had
INTERVIEWED suggested Mr.. Hawley.
Il am not troubled by elections" con-
tinued Mr.. Vest. The popular pendulum
swings back and forth. These changes are
as inevitable as atmospheric changes All
that is but leather and prunella."
The Senator said he did not shut his eyes
to the disastrous and overwhelming defeat
of the democratic party. He was now wait
ing for the promised restoration of public
serenity as a result OF the republican sue
cess.
An Extra Session Wanted.
IT have no authority to speak for the
President" said Mr.. Vest, with much earn
estness, but most earnestly hope that If
some definite action is not taken by this
Congress the President will call an extra
session. as soon as the gavel falls at the
close of this session.
Mr.. Hawley and Mr.. Aldrich sarcastically
suggested that the President would be as
sembling a republican Congress. Mr.. Aid
rich added that it was his understanding
that the Senator thought the present Sen
ate was republican.
II will discuss that in a democratic eau
Gus and not here responded Mr.. Vest
Continuing, Mr.. Vest took up the ques
ton of raising more revenue. Many of
the sources of income under the new tariff
law had not begun to yield yet. The
Senator referred in detail to the status of
the sugar duty and tax spirits. The
one-tenth differential on sugars had arous-
ed a contention by Germany, Austria and
other countries.
Mr. Vest examined the contention of
each foreign country on the sugar queS-
ton. He thought there was a good deal of
pretense in Germany's claims against
American cattle.
But these contentious with foreign
countries" said Mr.. Vest 'fndicatesSthat
we are entering upon a great commercial
war, the extent of which it is difficult to
foresee" The Senator gave the totals Of
our trade with European countries: He
urged that it was essential that the one
tenth differential should be taken off in
order to avert this tariff war and its dis
astrous consequences on our revenue.
The Sugar Schedule.
AS Mr. Vest proceeded several interesting
chapters on the enactment of the sugar
schedule were disclosed. Mr.. Allen (Neb.)
asked what the conferees had intended to
do on the Hawaiian treaty affecting sugar.
Mr. Vest answered that the conferees de-
sired to do away with that treaty. But
they were told by certain Senators. whose
votes were essential to the passage of the
bill, that this could not be done. 1t was
imperative that the votes of forty-three
Senators be secured. And so. against the
Judgment of the Senator and the commit
tee the desired action on the Hawaiian
treaty had to be abandoned.
Mr. Vest proceeded to state the substance
of an agreement that had been made as to
l., l.;