The herald., 1896-12-17
PROCEEDINGS IN
| SENATE AND HOUSE.
Party Leaders Warm to
Their Work
Rs NATIONAL POLICY IS DISCUSSED
The Intense Debate Not Free
From Rancor
THE DINGLEY BILL IS DEAD
And the Scheme for Reviving Old Rates
Maturing
THE DINGLEY BILL IS DEAD
And the Scheme for Reviving Old Rates
Maturing
Sherman's Announcement to That Effect
Closes the Debate
The Pension Appropriation Bill Passed
and Now Goes to the President-The
House Adjourns Without Doing
Any Business
Associated Press Special Wire

| WASHINGTON, Dec. 16-The session
of the senate developed the most event.
full and exciting debate that either
branch Of congress has heard in a long
time. 1t brought forward the recog-
nized leaders of the various parties and
elements. including such conspicuous
figures as Messrs. Sherman, Frye, Teller.
German, Vest, Aldrfch, Platt, Mitchell
of Oregon, Chandler, Hale and Allen in
notable statements on the leading oues-
tons which have engaged the attention
OF congress and the country of late.
Not only was the line Laid down on traifr
and finance, but the debate partook Of
all the pent-up feeling resultant from
| the national contest. It was dramatic
in its intensity, and at al ltimes absorb
ingly interesting; to the crowded CALLER
les and intent body of senators. Polit-
ical differences came in for a fair share
of attention and the names of Mckinley
and Bryan were often heard. President
Cleveland also came in for share of at
tention.
Mr.. Allen declared that the president
was a Republican, who rejoiced with
Republicans over the recent mutual vic
| tory The debate came unexpectedly
when Mr.. Vest called up the Allen reso.
luton for consideration of the Dingley
bill, in order to make some remarks on
it. Mr.. Vest was in his usual caustic
vein and his speech teemed with those
graceful and catchy phrases for which
he is noted. 1t severely arraigned the
| doctrine of protection and derided the
promises of prosperity held out, he said,
| py Mr. Mckinley which could not be
fulfilled by levying more taxes on the
people. There were frequent sharp and
| amusing crossfires between Vest and
Messrs. Aldrich. Chandler and Frye. The
uepate advanced to more acute stage
| when Mr.. Allen, With his usual blunt
ness, began to question Mr.. Chandler
as to the future of the Dingley bill. He
asserted that the Republicans had no
need TO fear opposition from the presi-
cent, VINO had gone over" body and soul
to the Republican party. This brought
forward Mr.. sherman and Mr. Teller
Inc ONO senator spoke with deem ear
nestness, declaring that it was a crime
Tor congress not TO give the government
ample revenue for needful expenditures.
lie characterized the silver substitute
~ the Dlhsiey Dill as monstrosity, de-
signed to cripple legislation. Mr.. Cleye-
iands course in issuing bonds to main
tam the gold reserve, he approved,
Mr.. Teller pointed out the futilftv NJ
urging the Dingley bill As to futura
tarliI legislation, he reserved his iudr-
IIent on IL until the measure was pre-
Sented and its merits considered Ny
Gorman also pointed out the uselessness
Oh urging the Dingley bill, concedjng.
however. that March 4. next the Re.
publican senators would be in sufficient
strength TO pass tariff bill AS to the
course on the Democratic side, he said he
anticipated no obstruction to such a
measure, beyond insistence on raasona~
Die debate. Throughout the debate the
sentiment had prevailed that the Ding
ley bill was dead, and to give this fnar
and apparently official sanction. Mr..
Platt of the finance committee, an
nounced that no effort would he mada
10 urge that bill to passage. Mr.. Sher-
man promptly rose and said 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 DISPOSE
tion' of the bill
The bitter debate came on in an an
parently innocent way, when Mr.. Vest.
Missouri, Democrat, called up the Ding
ley bill upon which to submit few're
marks. There was no warning of the
storm to come, and especially when he
stated his appreciation Of the fact that
he was about to speak on dead issue
The bill he regarded as remarkable
piece of legislation, born of the presiden-
tial warning to congress that the coun-
try's finances We're in such dangerous
condition that the usual holiday recess
might well be abandoned. The bill had
not come from the wool growers, or the
iron interests.
The production of tin plates, said Mr..
Vest. had increased notwiths standing the
decrease of / cent per pound on tin Sc
cured by the present law. And yet that
reduction had been secured only at the
point of the legislative bayonet.
This brought on spirited passage be-
tween Mr.. Aldrich and Mr.. Vest. The
former declared that it was well known
that the iron schedule of the Wilson bill
was protective in character. and that IL
iron and tin, had been treated as other
articles had been they, tco, would have
been struck down. This production was
due, first, to the original protective du-
ties on tin and to that partial remnant
of duty retained in the present law.
.sThs senator from Rhode Isand>does
not seem to agree with the president
elect, Mr. Mckinley. on this tin ques-
ton" responded Mr.. Vest. The senator
said he read a recent interview with
Mr.. Mckinley at Canton. in which he
said that the increased production of tin
was due to the use of the natural oils
of Indiana in the manufacture Of tin
plates. But Mr.. Mckinley must be mis-