Evening star., 1896-12-17
T HE DIN GUEY BILL
No Further Effort to Be Made to Pass
It.
Leaders of the Various Parties Par
Was sharp and Long.

After The Stars report of the proceedings
in the Senate closed yesterday afternoon
a brisk and interested debate was carried
on, all the remarks of the Senators indi-
eating that the Dingley bill is dead, and
that 1t will no longer be a subject for COM
ment as a factor in tariff legislation. These
declarations do not surprise people who
have kept in touch with republican senti-
ment on the tariff. Several months ago
there was very general feeling in favor
of the passage of the Dingley bill. but it
was not shared in by the leaders of the
republicans in the Senate. When 1t began
to be noised about that the passage of the
Dingley bill might defeat, in the next Con-
gress, the adoption of real protective
tariff measure, change of sentiment be-
came widespread.
90 Why Mr.. Allen Brought II I'm.
1t was with knowledge of the republi-
cans fear of the Dingley bill that Mr.. Allen
called that measure up in the Senate few
days ago. But not until late yesterday
afternoon was it fully acknowledged on the
republican side Of the Senate that the tariff
bill passed by the House at the last ses-
sion or Congress was not wanted. While
this acknowledgment was interesting, 1t
was no surprise to any one acquainted with
the views of leading republicans. In the
first place. it was doubtful whether the
Dingley bill could be passed by this Con-
sress, and, should it be put through 1t
might not receive the signature of the
President, but, more important than any
other consideration, 1t would be a bar in
the way of tariff legislation I'm the next
Congress.
Leaders In the Debate.
The debate in the Senate yesterday after
noon brought forward the leaders of the
various parties and elements, including
sucn conspicuous figures as Messrs. Sher-
man, Frye Teller, German, Vest, Aldrch,
Piatt, Mitchell of Oregon, Chandler. Hale
and Allen, in notable statements on the
leading questions 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 partook
of all the pent-up feeling resulting from
the recent national contest. Often it was
dramatic in its intensity, and at all times
absorDingly interesting to the crowded gal
leries and intent body of Senators. Political
differences came in for a fair share of at
tentlon and the names of Mr.. Mckinley and
Mr. Bryan often were heard. President
Cleveland also came in for a share of at
tcEtion, Mr.. Allen declaring that the Pres-
dent was a republican, who rejoiced with
republicans over their recent mutual VIC
tory.
An Acute Stage.
The debate advanced to a more acute
stage when Mr.. Allen, with his usual blunt
ness. began to question Mr.. Chandler as to
the future of the Dingley bill. He asserted
that the republicans had no need to fear
opposition from the President, who had
gone over, body and soul, to the republi-
can party. This brought forward Mr.
Sherman and Mr. Teller The Ohio Senator
spoke with deep earnestness, declaring that
it was crime for Congress not to give the
government ample revenue for needful ex-
penditures. He characterized the silver sub
stitute to the Dingley bill as a monstrosity
designed to cripple legislation and obstruct
the operations OF the government. He ap-
proved Mr.. Cleveland's course in issuing
bonds to maintain the gold reserve
Mr. Teller followed, pointing out the fu-
tiliy of urging the Dingley bill. As to
future tariff legislation, he reserved his
Judgment on it until the measure was pre-
sented and its merits considered. Mr. Cor
man also pointed out the uselessness of
urging the Dingley bill. conceding how
ever, that after March next the republi-
can Senators would be in sufficient strength
to pass d tariff bill. AS to the course on
the democratic side, he said he anticipated
no obstruction to such a measure beyond
an insistence on reasonable debate.
NJ Further Attempt.
Throughout the debate the sentiment had
prevailed that the Dingley bill was dead,
and to give this firal and apparently Off
cial sanction Mr.. Platt of the finance COM
mittee announced that no effort would be
made to urge that bill to passage. There
that i'll view of what had been said, he ac-
quiesced In the general sentiment that no
further effort should be made on the Ding
ley bill. This was regarded as the final