Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-16
LIVELY WASHINGTON NEWS
Senator Teller on the Soft Soap
Scheme to Place a Tariff on
the White Metal.
A VERY RIDICULOUS PROPOSITION
Progress on Appropriation Bills-Vest
Scores Sound Point-National
Copital Record.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Teller
said to-day, of the proposition which it
has been stated would be incorporated in
the new tariff bill for duty on silver:
'It is very foolish idea. II they think
they can catch the silver men by any
such soap, they are mistaken. 1t would
only emphasize the claim of the gold
men that silver is mere commodity. If
a duty of so cents an ounce was placed
on silver it would not raise the price l
cent. The price of silver is fixed abroad
where it is used"
WHAT DID LEE REPORT!
The senate committee on foreign rela-
tions held a meeting to-day for the con-
sideration of the Cuban resolution. No
action was taken. The committee ad-
journed to Friday for the purpose of se-
curing further information from the
state department. There is desire to
ascertain exactly what is reported by
Consul General Lee.
THE PENSION BILL PASSED.
The pension appropriation bill passed
the senate to-day without division as it
passed the house. It carries $14l, $685.
$50.
To.DAY's SENATE.
Mr.. Vest, of Missouri, called up the
Dingley bill for the purpose of making
remarks. He said that he appreciated
that he was talking of dead issue and
would not allude to it if many we'll mean
ing people were not urging congress to
act upon this measure. He regarded the
Dingley bill as one of the most remark
able pieces of legislation ever presented.
Senator Vest spoke vehemently against
the protective theory and declared that
Major McKinley's election had not
brought about prosperity. He asserted
that the election was parody on free in
stitutions. He hoped to see an investi-
CATION, for he shared in the belief ex-
pressed by Senator Chandler that the
circumstances leading up to theSt. Louis
convention was honeycombed with fraud.
He declared that prosperity never could
come with additional tariff taxes. A
greater volume of money was the only
relief. Senator Vest paid strong tribute
to Wm.J j. Bryan and pointed out that
100000 votes were cast for him. At the
close of his speech sharp tariff debate
occurred between Senators Vest, Mills,
Frye and Aldrich.
BLAMEs IT ON THE PRESS.
The secretary of the navy to-day made
public the findings of the court of IN
ouiry upon the battleship Texas, which
recently sank while being dry docked at
New York. The secretary says in sub
stance that the Texas is all right and suf-
fered no more accidents than any other
boat of her class in the navy. She has
been subject, he says, to malicious and
surreptitious attacks from naval officers,
and he issues general order against Off
GERS of the department talking for pub
lication on such ubjects. He quotes a
letter from Charles Cramp, the ship-bulld-
er, which says the American shipping in
terests have been injured abroad by the
reflection cast on the Texas by the press.
THE HOUSE TO-DAY.
Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, created ripple
of excitement in the house to-day by ask
ing for the immediate consideration OF
the resolution to investigate the construc-
tion of the battleship Texas.
Mr.. Dingley, of Maine, thought that the
resolution ought to be considered by the
acted upon. He therefore objected and
the resolution was referred.
The members of the house ways and
means committee say that the report out
lining the elaborate scheme for tariff
on silver in the new bill is merely fic.
tion. II is generally understood that
there will be duty on oil ores of which
silver is the bi-product.
A member Of the committee said
to-day: "The duty on silver would be as
useless as duty on rainwater for the
reason that no silver is imported into
this country. The only thing we can dc
for silver miners will be to put duty on
Mexican lead ore. By doing this We give
protection to the lead interests and inci
dentally to the silver miners"
ABANDONMENT OF ARKANSAS HOT sPRINGt
HOSPITAL.
The house, on motion of Mr.. Hull
chairman of the committee on military
affairs, went into committee of the whole
for the consideration Of the army appro
priation bill. Mr.. H1al explained tha
the provisions of the bill, which carriet
$23,126,344, was $775,978 less than th'
estimates, and $155,558 less than the cur
rent law. The only new provision wa
for the abandonment of tae army ant
navy hospital at Hot Springs, Ark, ant
the surrender and transfer of the reserva
tlon to the interior department.
THE oRUsIER NEWARK.
The cruiser Newark returned to Ke.
West this forenoon. She reported to th'
navy department that she was unable t.
overhaul the flibuster Three Friends.