The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-17
PARTY LINES LAID DOWN.
NOTABLE EXPRESSIONS ON THE
GREAT QUESTIONS NOW BE-
FORE THE PEOPLEs
DINGLEY BILL OFFICIALLY DEAD.
Vest, Allen and Sherman Parties to
the Most Caustic Exchange of
the Present Congress.

branch of congress has heard in long
time. 1t brought forward the recogniz-
ed leaders of the various parties, and
elements, including such conspicuous
figures as Messrs. Sherman, Frye, Tell
ell, of Oregon, Chandler, Hale and AL
len, in notable statements on the lead
ing questions, which have engaged the
attention of congress and the country
OF late. Not only were the lines laid
down on tariff and finance, but the de-
bate partook Of all the pent-up feeling
resulting from the recent national con-
test. Often it was dramatic in it's in
tensity, and at all times absorbingly
interesting to the crowded galleries and
intent body Of senators. Political diff
ference came in for a fair share of at
tention, and the names of Mr. McKin-
ley and Mr.. Bryan often were heard.
President Cleveland also came in for
share Of attention. Mr. Allen declared
that the president was one who rejoiced
with Republicans over the recent vic
tory
The debate came on unexpectedly
when Mr.. Vest called up the Allen reso-
luton for consideration of the Ding
ley Dill, in order to make some remarks
upon 1t. Mr. Vest was in his usual
caustic vein and his speech teemed WI
those graceful and catchy phrases for
which he is noted. 1t severely ar
raigned the doctrine of protection and
derided the promises of prosperity held
out he said, Mr. Mckinley, which
h
taxes on the people. There were fire.
quent sharp and amusing crossfires be-
tween Mr.. Vest and Messrs. Aldrich.
Chandler and Frye.
The debate advanced to a more acute
stage when Mr.. Allen. with his usual
bluntness, began TO question Mr..
Chandler as to the future of the Ding
ley bill. He asserted that the Repup-
ncans had no need to fear opposition
from the president who had gone
over, body and soul to the Republican
party" This brought forward Mr..
Sherman and Mr.. Teller. The Ohio
senator spoke with deep earnestness.
declaring that it was crime for con-
gress not to give the government ample
revenue for needful expenditures. He
characterized the silver substitute to
the Dingley bill as a monstrosity de-
Struct the operations of the govern
ment. He approved Mr. CIeveland's )
course in issuing bonds to maintain
the gold reserve.
Mr.. Teller followed, pointing out the
futility of urging the Dingley bill. AS
to future tariff legislation, he reserved
his judgment on it until the measure
was presented and it's merits consider
ed. Mr.. German also pointed out the
uselessness of urging the DingIey bill,
conceding, however that after March
4, next, the Republican senators would
be in sufficient strength to pass tariff
bill AS to the course on the Demo-
cratic side he said he anticipated no
obstruction to such a measure beyond
an insistence on reasonabl debate.
Throughout the debate, the senti-.
ment prevailed that the Dingley bill
was dead and to give this final and
apparently official sanction, Mr.. Platt.
of the finance committee, announced
that no effort would be made to urge
that bill to passage. Mr.. Sherman,
| promptly arose and said that in view of
what had been said, he acquiesced in
| the general sentiment that no further
effort should be made on the Dingley
bill. This was regarded as the final
disposition of the bill
BITTER DEBATE.
| came Oh III all apparently innocent way WneD
| Mr.. West Dem, MOI called up the Dingley
| bill upon which to submit a few remarks.
| There no warning of the storm to come
| especially when he stated his appreciation of
| the fact that he was about to speak on a dead
| issue The bill he regarded as a remarkable
| piece of legislation, born of a presidential
warning to congress that the country's
! finances were in such dangerous condition
| that tie usual holiday recess might well be
| abandoned
The senator asserted that the opium habit
lal l1xvh h1l1 -l,4I, ~.
| this advocacy of protection. He analyzed the
results of the wool schedule of the present
| law, showing that many factories had been
| established during the year. return to the
old system as proposed by the Dingley bill
! meant disaster TO these manufacturers OF
| woolens. why is it,, asked the senator,
that with the balance of trade in our favor
| and with the gold standard in force, the
| country is in a state Of distress?"
We were told said he, that with the
! election of Mckinley, prosperity would food
/ the land like sunshine. Mckinley was elected
! but has the prosperity come? Will the in
/ creased prosperity come with your tariff bill
adding more taxes to the burdens of the
people and heaping up more money in the
treasury? VIII that give the people the re-
sources to buy either foreign or domestic
goods?
while 1 may be subjected to the charge OF
being a lunatic, an anarchist and repudi-
ator, | assert that the only relief for the peo-
! pie is to give them more money If we are
! lunatics and anarchists because we ask for tbs
| silver, over 5000, 600 American free men who
| voted for William J. Bryan are lunatics anC
! may God help the republic. But it is a vile
slander. The men who supported that great
leader, William ]. Bryan are loyal and as in
telligent body cf men as any in this coun.
| try. The gold standard at the root of this
evil is the vilest monopoly ever conceived
! in the mind OF mortal man."
/ The senator spoke of the recent election as
| a parody on free institutions. He was anxious
to see what became of the investigation pro-
! posed by the senator from Nebraska (Alen)
He was inclined to believe that the senator
| from New Hampshire (Chandler) was right
! when he declared that the st. Louis conyen-
! ton was honey-combed with fraud, and thai
| the delegates there had been bargained fol
and bought.
To a question by Mr. Aldrich, as to why
it was that the woolen industry and all Other
industries were asking for more protection
| Mr. Vest answered that, of course, they want.
ed more protection. Like ''Iot of coyotes >
greedy and famished, they awaited more boun
ty. They would come with the plea: '1
! subscribed; I voted for Mckinley; | wan
more protection"
| Mr. Frye in reply, said that if the Dingley
bill was not passed he predicted an enormous
| increase of imports within the next foul
months, in anticipation of the greater duties
| thereafter. The discussion drifted into tech
nical lines concerning the wool schedule and
prices at various times. There was a burs
of laughter at one point when Mr.. Aldricf
| referred to the position OF Mr.. Vest and hi.
great leader, Mr.. Cleveland
My former leader interposed MIR. Vest
| with much vigor on the former" that made
senator's and spectators roar.
Mr.. Mitchell Hep., Oregon) also came. int
the debate. 1t was a constant cross-hre O.
| Questions, assertions and contradictions. Mr.
Vest remarked that he was greatly surprised