The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-04-15

WASHINGTON. d. c.. April IA
The first skirmISh on the tarIfr Ques-
tiOn occurred In the senate to-day. 1t
was followed by a vote which served to
test the strength OF the various ele-
ments OF the senate. The vote occurred
on u motion by Mr. Morrill, (Rep., VIZ
chairman Of the committee on finance,
to refer resolution by Mr.. Vest, one
Of the Democratic members OF that
committee. This made the issue be-
tween representatives Of the two Lead
ing elements in the senate. Aside from
this, the resolution was in the nature
OF criticism Of Secretary Gage ana
declared illegal his recent order relH.
tive TO goods imported after April l.
when according 10 the retroactive
clause OF the pending DIngley bill, the
the new tariff rates are 10 apply. Mr..
Murrtll'S motion prevailed by the close
vote OF "a to %.
Senator Kyle. whose position IL
question OF interest and Senator Allen
CPOpO were absent.
The affirmative vote was given by Re-
publlcana, including one silver Republi-
can, Mr.. Mantle Of Montana. The neg.
atiVe vote was made up Of Democrats,
PopuiIsts and two silver Republicans,
Pettigrew, OF South Dakota, and Can
non. OF Utah. Prior to the vote q
breezy discussion occurred on several
phases Of the tariff.
Tho subject came up first when Mr..
Mantle presented Il memorial from wool
growers urging ample protection to
their industry. He referred in this
connection to reports that Secretary
North, OF the Wool Manufacturers As
ISOLATION, was acting "a secretary OF
the finance committee. Mr.. Morrill, de-
MED the statement, saying this BentIe-
man had been summoned as an expert
TO give information on the wool quess
ton.
Mr.. Hoar responded to some Of the
criticisms OF Mr.. Mantle. He said no
hoped 10 see the wool schedule arrang-
ed to the satisfaction OF the wool grow
ers. This would be done without ar
raging the wool growers against the
wool manufacturers Their interests
were Identical Certainly no wool grow
er would desire to have "A duty on manu-
featured wool which did not AFFORD ad-
eQuate protection. This whole question
must be settled by the sound and sober
Judgment OF both interests. Mr.. HoAr
referred to the fact that the wool grow
eTS were not without their wRtchfui
representatives when the tariff bill was
before Congress and he thought the
argus eye OF Judge Lawrence would
see that this interest did not suffer.
Mr.. Gray (Dem., Del.) said he desired
to call public attention to the remarka-
Bile proposition coming from the other
side OF the chamber. Senators had
made clear that there was compact,
Well managed organization for the pur-
pose OF raising the taxes to the highest
point on their respective lines OF goods.
Both of these industries were represent
ed. according 10 the statements made,
but the great body OF American peo-
Pile who We're consumers OF these taxed
goods were not represented here.
Mr. Morrill, succeeded In cutting of
the debate by calling for the regular or
der. but II soon broke out again on Mr..
Vests resolution. directed against the
secretary OF the treasury.
Mr.. Vest declared that the retroactive
clause of the pending bill was Illegal
and beyond the power OF Congress. He
characterized SeCetary Cages recent
order as "a notification OF existing law
and n move TO intlmidNte the importers
OF foreign goods.
The Indian appropriation bill was
then taken up. II afforded Mr.. German
Dem. Md an opportunity TO speak OF
the disorganIzed condition OF the sen.
ate, which he did. critIcising the delay
in organizing committees.