Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-01

START AN INQUIRY.

washington, dec. DIV men tne sem
ate met today Mr.. Perkins QRep.. Colo)
asked unanimous consent for the con-
sideration of resolution directing the
committee on finance to report an
amendment to the house taritf bill lay
ing an import duty on raw sugar equal
to the other increases of the bill.
Mr.. Berry Dem. Ark objected.
II was agreed to adjourn over until
Friday. Mr.. Morrill, Rep., vi explain-
ing that the finance committee desired
to consider the bond and tariff bills on
Thursday.
Mr. Chambers resolution offered yes
terday, directing the committee ON ma
val anairs to investigate the prices paid
by the government Tor urmor plate and
as to whether any officials OF the gov
eminent were Interested In patent proc
essvs. was called up.
At the suggestion of MIR. German
Dem, Md the words directing an in
quiry into the facts as to whether the
prices paid by the United States were
as "low as paid by foreign govern
ments" were stricken out. Mr.. Mills
Dem, TeX) could not see the reason
for the amendment. Mr.. German eN-
planned that IL was well known that an
armor plate company had been formed
in New England for furnishing nruor
plate for a Russian vessel The prices
asked were lower than received from
the United States. The contract he
! thought, had been made at loss.
1 There had been no concealment about
| 1t.
As TO the remainder of the resolu-
i tion Mr.. German said 1t contained an
intimaton that there had not been
careful business conduct OF the office
/ of the navy department and further
| that officers of the government were in
! teftsted In armor plate patents. II
the information OF the senator from
New Hampshire warrants these intima-
lions he had no objection to the resolu-
ton, but he regretted that anybody
| should deem 1t necessary to make such
! an inquiry. He spoke Of the fact that
both political parties had united In the
last twelve years In the rejuvenation OF
| our navy, Great discretion had been
| given to the secretaries OF the navy
| and the result had been marvellous to
| the world. The honesty, Integrity and
Intelligence of the heads of the navy
department had not been questioned.
Mr.. Hale also spoke of the achieve
! ments of the navy department and ex-
pressed the hope that nothing would be
/ found amiss.
Mr.. Chandler said he shared the gen.
eral regret. but he was ready to assume
the responsibility for the resolution.
Facts had come to his knowledge. he
| said, that required Investigation and
| publicity in order that future contracts
| for armor in the equipment of vessels
| now being and to be built should be
above suspicion and reproach.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Sherman then introduced the fol-
| lowing resolution which was listened to
with keen interest In view of the sem
/ ator's utterances In reference to the re-
| tirement of greenbacks. He gave no.
tlce that on Friday he would submit
some remarks on 1t. The resolution
was as follows;
Resolved, that by injurious iegisla-
ton by the Fifty-third congress the
| revenues OF the government were re-
| duced below its necessary expenditure
| and the funds created by law for the
| redemption of United States notes had
| been Invaded to supply such deficiency;
! that such a misapplication OF the re-
sumption funds is OF doubtful legality
| and generally Injurious to the public
| credit, and should be prevented by re-
| storing said fund to the sum OF not
less than 500 900. 900 In gold coin or bull
| lion to be paid out only In the redemp-
| ton of United States notes and treas
| ury notes, and such notes when re-
| deemed were to be re-issued only In ex-
| change for gold coin or bullion"
| Mr.. Mitchell (Rep., Ore) then took
the floor and spoke In favor OF his reso-
| luton instructing the nnance commit
/ tee to restore the Mckinley duties on
/ wool in any revenue bill reported to the
| senate Senator Mitchell declared that
/ no industry has received such stag
/ gerlng and deadly Legislative blow as
that Inflicted upon the wool Industry
1 by the Wilson tarlff act. II had drain
ed from the United States within the
last year ss5. 100000 In gold to pay for
foreign wool and had occisioned loss
to the wool growers OF this country Of
more than sl0000O.000. Unless this leg
I islation was changed the sheep indus
= try OF the Pacific coast would be an
initiated. Senator Mitchell referred to
the condition OF the treasury and the
! Presidents appeal and added;
while providing at the earliest pos
sible moment legislation which viii pro-
| duce sufficient revenue to relieve the
administration OF Its present embar-
| rassment other simple questions should
not be lost sight OF In the performance
! OF our patriotic response to the presl-
| dent and we should leglslate so as to re-
lieve from danger OF destruction some
| o. the great industries stricken down
by the Wilson tariff act"
| Mr.. Mitchell said the tariff bill pass
| ed by the house viii probably increaxe
the revenue sf0.000.000 year. Amend
ed as IL should he by affording wool.
lumber. barley. hops and other agricul-
turnl products adequate protettion. IL
VIII give an additional revenue OF $780,
10000 ana place block on the SO
called -endiess chain" By which gold