Rock Island Argus., 1896-12-10

Carried by q Vote of 35 to el-MornIsg
Hour Expires and Leaves the Question
Gin the Air"-Some Radical Resolutions
on the Cuban Case Onered-Mills Wants
to "Grab" the Island.
Washington, Dec. 10.-The senate yes
terday by the decisive vote Of 35 to 21
adopted a motion to take up the Ding
ley tariff-silver bill. Unexpected and
surprising as the action was IT did not
have the significance which the vote
itself appears to convey. Immediately
following it Aldrich Of Rhode Island,
one of the Republican members of the
finance committee. moved to recommit
the bill to that committee and this mo-
tion was pending when at o'clock the
morning hour expired and the entire
matter lapsed, as though no vote had
been taken. Neither the bill nor the
Aidrich motion to recommit enjoys any
privilege or precedence as a result OF
the action yesterday. 1t served, how
ever, for lively parliamentary fencing
between Allen (Pop) of Nebraska, the
author of the motion, and Chandler,
Hale and Aldrich, as well as for an ex-
position of the uncertain and shifty
elements within the senate when a vote
is precipitated on an important public
question.
Allen Taunts the Republicans.
the debate at times was sharp and
personal. Allen is very blunt in his
expressions, and he taunted the Repub-
lican senators fer shrinking from the
Dingley bill after cor .ucting a tariff
campaign. 1T has gore cut from the
powers that be in the Republican par
ty." said Allen at one point. that with
the incoming administration we are to
have an extraordiary session of con-
Eress for the purpose of revising the
tariff laws" Thus Allen ran along,
touching on many points that have
hitherto been reserved for caucus con-
sfderation. Chandler reminded Allen
that not only had tariff won, but free
silver by the United States alone was
lost in the recent election and he urged
Allen to aid in a genuine effort to exc
cute the will of the people.
Republican Expectations in March.
Hale took occasion to state with
frankness that the Republican senators
expected an actual majority in the next
senate which would make tariff leg
islation more easy of Accomplishment
than it is now. Aldrich's first move was
to have the bill referred back to the
finance committee with instructions to
strike off the-si4~er- amendment, but
later he accepted the suggestion of Har-
ris to omit the instructions. 1t was in
this form that the question of recon-
initial was pending when o'clock ar
rived and cut off the debate.
Wanted to "Feel the Enemy
When asked to explain the motive OF
his motion in the senate yesterday to
take up the Dingley tariff bill Senator
Allen replied: Il had no motive ex-
cept, as we used to say in the army. to
feel the enemy. / wanted to satisfy
myself and the country as to the atti-
tude of the Republicans towards this
measure which they have professed to
be anxious to have become a law, and
I think 1 have at least succeeded in
demonstrating that they have no in
tention of trying to do anything" The
senator declined to say whether he
would in any way revive the question,
but he intimated that he probably
would.
Wants Uncle Sam To He q ssGrabber."
The feelings of some Of the senators
whose sentiments have been well
known for long time-on the Cuban
issue were crystallized in three reso-
lutlons which were laid on the table and
are likely to evoke much eloquence in
the future. Cameron's came first. 1t
acknowledges the independence of the
Cuban republic, at the same time Offer
ing Spain our friendly Offices. Mills
had one that simply orders the presi-
dent to take possession of the island
until the people of Cuba can organize
a government of their own." etc. Calls
recognizes the independence of Cuba
simply. Bills covering almost every con-
ceivable subject of national legislation
were introduced in a perfect flood dur
| ing the session.