The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-12-23
TARIFF AND FINANCE.
AN EVENTFUL AND EXCITING DE-
BATE IN The SENATE.

Leading Questions OF the Day Discussed
by Leaders OF the Various Parties and
Factions-sharp Political and Personal
Hits.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 The session
of the Senate developed the most
eventful and exciting debate that eth
er branch of Congress has heard in q
long time. 1t brought for ward the re.
cognized leaders of the various parties
and elements, including such copspic'
uous figures as Messrs. Sherman, Frye 9,
Teller, German, Vest, Aldrich, Platt,
Mitchell of Oregon, Chandler, Hale
and Allen, in notable statements on
the leading questions which have en-.
gagged 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 psnt-up feeling result
ing from the recent national contest.
Often it was dramatic in its intensity,
and at all times absorbingly interest
ing, to he crowded galleries and in
tent body of Senators. Political diff
ferences came in for fair share OF at
tention, and the names of Mr.. McKin.
ley and Mr.. Bryan often were men
toned.
The debate came Unexpectedly, when
Mr.. Vest called up the Allen resolu'
ton for consideration of the Dingley
bill, in order,to make some remarks on
| it, MIR. Vest was in his usual causslc
vein and his speech teemed with those
graceful and catchy phrases for which
he is noted. In the beginning, he said
he appreciated he was talking of a
dead issue, and he would not allude to
it if many we'll meaning people were
not urging on Congress to act upon
this measure. He regarded the Ding.
ley bill as one OF the most remarkable
pieces of legislation ever presented. 1t
! was the result of the presidents warn
| ing to Congress a year ago that the
condition of the finances was so dam
gerous that the usual holiday recess
might we'll be abandoned. The recess
was given up and the Dingley bill re-
suited, Notwithstanding the emphatic
declarations of the Executive that no
more revenue was wanted.
The Senator discussed the tin and
wood schedules quite elaborately. as:
serting that the price of raw wool had
gone up since the passage of the Viii.
son law. 1--WE were told" said he,
"that with the election of Mckinley
prosperity would food the land like
sunshine. Mckinley was;elected; but
has the prosperity Gomez Will the
increased prosperity come with your
tariff bill, adding more taxes to the
burden of the people and heaping up
more money in the Treasur5S Will
that give the people the resources to
buy either foreign or domestic goods2
Mr.. Vest denounced that moss
grown lie" which told of the large per
capita circulation now enjoyed by the
people. What was wanted was great
er circulation, rather than greater
taxes, to bring the promised prosperl'
ty.
while may be subjected to the
charge of being lunatic, an anarchist
and repudiator," declared Mr.. Vest,
81 assert that the only relief for the
people is to give them more money.
If we are lunatics and anarchists be-
cause we ask for The opening of the
mints to the free coinage of silver,
then over six million American free
men who voted for VIM. j. Bryan are
lunatics, and may God help the Re-
publicl But it is a vile slander. The
men who supported that great leader.
VIM. J. Bryan, are as loyal and as in
telligent body of men as any in this
country. The gold standard, at the
root of this evil. is the vilest monopoly
ever conceived in the mind OF mortal
man."
The Senator spoke OF the recent cleo
ton as a parody on free institutions:
He was anxious to see what became of
the investigation proposed by the
Senator from Nebraska (Allen). He
was inclined to believe that:the Sena-
tor from New Hampshire (Chandler)
was right when he declared that the
| st. Louis convention was honeycomb,
ed with fraud and that the delegates
there had been bargained for and
bought. These assertions had been
repeated by the Now Hampshire Sena-
tor in letter to Mr.. Lodge of Massa'
chusetts. There was more in such
cases, Mr.. Vest believed, than a mere
activity in behalf of Mr.. Reeds can
didacy.
The discussion then drifted into the
technical lines, concerning wool sched.
ule prices at various times, etc. There
was burst of laughter at one point
when Mr.. Aldrich referred to the posi-
ton OF Mr.. Vest and his great leader,
Mr.. Cleveland.
my former leader" interposed Mr..
Vest, with such vigor on the word
''former" as to make Senators and the
galleries roar:
Mr.. Mitchell (Rep. of Ore.) also
came into the debate. 1t was a con-
stant crossfire on questions and asser.
tions as to wool prices and contradic-
tons. Mr.. Vest remar ked that he was
greatly surprised to hear Senators on
the other side talk of mills being
closed now. How could this be, since
Mckinley was elected2 l..
1--WE are living under Democr tic
laws" interjected Mr.. Frye. i:
"Yes, but everybody assume that
the election of Mr.. Mckinley means
the return to Mckinley tariff rates.
The Dingley bill is dead; it reposes in
the tomb of the Capulets, and in it's
place bill reiviving all the old rates
is being matured."