Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-11
ISSUE UNCERTAIN
In the Senate as to the Fate Of
the Tariff Bill.
SUBSTITUTE NOT LIKELY TO PASS,

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But the Original Measure Not at All Sure
OF Enough Votes II Not Displaced-vest
Finds Defender OF the Secretary Of the
bassadorship, "Hands Down"-Total Pro-
ceeds Of the New Loan-National Notes.
WASHINGTON, Feb H.-When Senator
quay left the Capitol after the adjourn
ment of tho senate yesterday he had al
most decided to withdraw his motion to
recommit the tariff bill, or at least not to
press il. This was the result of the i'm.
portunity Of several Republican senators
who after canvassing the situation among
the Democratic senators, had ascertained
to their satisfaction that while there
would be solid vote on the part of both
Democrats and Populists against recom-
initial there would be no.difficulty in get
ting a comparatively large vote on the
Democratic side Of the chamber against
the free coinage substitute for the bill
This turn in the situation has led to an
active canvass of the probable vote on the
the substitute is voted down.
Substitute May BE Defeated.
This survey has necessarily been in.
complete, but the result is such as 20
cause the opponents of the substitute to
believe that it can be defeated. They
count upon the entire anti-silver Republi-
can vote on the Republican side, besides
. h., .f 81 ILL, ID
cans, who will not agree to displace the
tariff bill with silver, and also upon get
ting n large majority il not all Of the
anti-silvcr Democrats against the sub
stitutc. With the substitute defeated the
vote would recur OH the tariff bill proper.
The friends of this measure are not so
sure Of the SUCCESS as the antagonists OK
the defeat of that measure.
Tariff Bill Case Seems Doubtful.
They are led to believe that there will
be a solid Democratic and Populist vote
against the tariff bill, and they also re-
call that Baker of Kansas declared in eau.
Gus his intention of opposing the tariff
bill in the senate. IN event Of Baker ad-
herring TO this determination 10 would be
to secure two votes from either
or Populistic sources to secure
the passage of the measure. There are
some who believe these can be secured.
The vote will in any event be very close,
and it is so doubtful at this time as to rem
der a prediction a mere guess.
Vest Returns to His Morton.
Vest had another round with Secretary
Morton in the senate yesterday, only one
Of the antagonists being in the ring, how
ever, personally: The senator called at
tention to published interview with the
secretary of agriculture inviting impeach-
ment, and implying that the president
would veto the resolution IL congress
passed it. In view of these statements,
Vest said, the president should have full
on the subject, and he pro-
cccdcd to show from agricultural depart
ment reports that the secretary had him
self, though opposing this seed law, fused
the appropriation for his own purposes"
by making excessive seed distribution in
his own state of Ncbrask. ''lt is enough"
declared the senator, ito make the star
eyed goddess hang her head and blush for
shame"
Bate Defends the Secretary.
But though Secretary Morton was
not present lin the ring" he had n couple
Of champions. Bate said it was not fair
Or just that the SECRETARY of agriculture
should be accused in this manner without
his view of the subject being understood.
The senate speeches were '.infiammatory
and dcclamatory" dealing with abuse and
-arcasm. The senator said he had looked
into the charge of the senator from Mis-
siouri (Ncst) that orchids, lilies of the
valley and palms were sent to the recep-
lions Of the president and cabinet officers,
and had found that not sprig OF green
Or n rose had ever been sent by the sccre-
Iary of agriculture to the White House
or To the home of any cabinet officer.
Missouri Mans Charges "Merc Poetry"
Vest explained that he had intended to
show that the secretary, in starting out as
II rcformer, had failed TO reform this proni-
gaze expenditures. but it was not intended
to say the secretary had direct control Of
the subject.
so" declared Bate, '"the sarcasm and
invective rs to orchids and lilies of the
valley ard dog fcnncl ard the light or the
on the red wine was mere
poetry and vanishcs into the air." Gray
stated that the secretary Of agriculture
had acted in accordance with the attorney
generals Interpretation of the law, which
wa; correct. The fault. therefore, was not
with the secretary OF agriculturc, but with
congress.
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