Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-17
SENATORS TALKED
Whole Day Used Up in an Orator.
ical Contest,
AND THAT OVER A DEAD ISSUE

Il
Legislative Corpse - House Also Does
Little to Forward National Lesisiation-
No Action On Cuba.
Washington, Dec. IL. - Yesterdays
! session of the senate developed lne most
eventful anc exciting debate that either
branch of congress has heard in q long
time. 1t brought forward the reccg-
nized leaders Of the various parties and
| elements. including SUCH conspicuous
figures as Sherman. Frye, Teller. Cor
man. Vest. Aldrich. Plat. Mitchell of
Oregon, Chandler Hale and Allen in
notable statements on the leading Ques-
tons 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 debate par
took Of all the pent-up feeling result
ing from the recent national contest.
Orten 1t was dramatic in its intensity
and at all times absorbingly interesting
to the crowded galleries and intent
body Of senators. Political differences
came in for a fair share of attention,
and the names of Mckinley and Bryan
often were heard. President Cleveland
also came in for a share of attention,
Allen declaring that the president was
Republican who rejoiced with Repub-
licans over the recent mutual victory.
Vest Lets Loose the Oratory.
The debate came unexpectedly when
Vest called up the Allen resolution for
consideration of the Ding,ey bill in or
der to make some remarks on IL. Vest
was in his usual caustic vein and his
Snqech feeYred with fhnca -,
catchy phrases for which he is noted.
1t severely arraigned the doctrine of
protection and derided the promises
of prosperity held out. he said. by Nc
kinley. which could not be fulfilled by
levying more taxes on the people. There
were frequent sharp and amusing cross
fires between Vest and Aldrich, Chandler
and Frye.
Allen Makes the Situation Acute.
The debate advanced to a more acute
stage when Allen, with his usual blunt
ness began to question Chandler as
to the future of the Dingley bill. He
asserted that the Republicans had no
need to fear opposition from the presi-
dent who had gone over, body and
soul to the Republican party" This
brought forward Sherman and Teller.
The Ohio senator spoke with deep earn
estness declaring that 1t was a crime
for congress not to give the government
ample revenue for needful expenditures
He characterized the silver substitute
to the Dingley bill as a monstrosity
designed to cripple legislation and OBJ
struct the operations of the govern
ment He approved Cleveland's course
in issuing bonds to maintain the gold
reserve.
And the Dingley Bill Il Dead.
Teller followed. pointing out the fu-
tility 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 considered.
German also pointed out the useless
ness Of urging the Dingley bill, con-
ceding. however that after March 4
next the Republican senators would be
in sufficient strength to pass a tariff
bill. As to the course on the Demo-
cratic side he said he ANTICIPATED no
obstruction to such a measure beyond
an fnsistence on reasonable" debate
Throughout the debate the sentiment
had prevailed that the Dingley bill was
dead, and to give this final and appar-
emily official sanction Plat, of the
finance committee. announced that no
enort would be made to urge that bill
to passage. Next Sherman PROMPTLY
arose and said that in view of what
had been said he acquesced in the gen.
eral sentiment that no further effort
should be made on the Dingjey bill.
This was regarded as the final DISPOSE
ton OF the bill
The debate ran on continuously until
4 p m. when the senate went into exc
cutive session and soon thereafter ad-