The record-union., 1897-03-31
Political Speeches Wedged In at Every
Opportunity.
The Opposition Direct Their Efforts
Toward Stirring Up DissensiOn on
the Republican Side, But Succeed
in Exposing Only Single Instance
of Revolt, That on the Subject of
Free Hides.

WASHINGTON, March 30.-Party
feeling ran high during the last day of
The tariff debate in the House. Polit-
ical speeches were wedged in at every
opportunity, and there was constant
maneuvering for political advantage.
The opposition directed their efforts
toward stirring up dissension in the
Republican side, but they succeeded
only in exposing a single instance Of
revolt to-day. That was on the sub
ject of free hides.
The Democrats pressed the question
of duty on hides for the benefit of the
farmer with such vigor that Hepburn
was drawn into the debate, and made a
strong plea for dutiable hides. He
demanded that the House be given an
opportunity to vote on this question,
and declared that every Western Re-
publican was in favor of it.
Cannon of Illinois also gave quail
fed Endorsement to this demand.
The Republican leaders defended
their bill to-day with vigor The
Ways and Means Committee held the
floor with their amendments from 10
in the morning until t o'clock in the
afternoon. About thirty five were Of
fered and adopted. Among them was
one admitting free of duty books,
scientific apparatus, charts maps, ETC.,
for scientific and educational purposes.
After that five more pages of the bill
We're read, making twenty pages in all
of the 1G2 pages Of the bill.
Tomorrow the bill will be open for
amendment until l o'clock, an attempt
to extend the debate having failed, af-
ter which an hour on a side will be al
lowed to close. The voting will begin at
3 O'Clock.
The Democrats displayed a good
deal of anxiety to-day to get in an
amendment to strike out the differen-
tial on sugar, but they probably will
be frustrated in this. The only mo-
ton they may be able to secure vote
on is one to recomnlit w4t.~instructions.
This motion has been prepared in the
shape of a resolution, and is the Dock
cry amendment to suspend the duty
on articles whose prices are controlled
by trusts or combinations. Even this
motion may be held to be out of order
under the special order
There is some talk of a number of
Republican votes being cast against
the BILL but nothing definite is heard.
Cannon R) of Illinois prefaced his
remarks with the declaration that he
was for the pending bill. He was not
pleased with all its features He new
er had been pleased with any revenue
bill. He appreciated that there must
be a. spirit of give and take, and he was
frank to say he thought there could
we'll be a duty on hides, as the i'm
preston was deeply grounded in the
West that a duty on hides would raise
the price of cattle 81 head.
Slayden CD of Texas expressed graf
ification that the dormant Republican
conscience had been awakened in spots.
He proceeded to argue that duty on
hides would be of practical beneht to
the cattle raisers Of the plains of Tex
as. Kansas and the Dakotas.
Bell (Pop) of Colorado warned the
Republicans that if they passed this
bill. containing high duties, without
imposing at least revenue duty on
hides. distinctly a product of the farm,
they would regret it. why should
the wool men of a few States be so gem
erousIy dealt with and the cattle rails
ers denied anything" he said.
Dingley defended the action of the
committee saying that when the Act
of 1890 was being prepared the pres
eut occupant of the White House made
a very exhaustive investigation OF the
subject. and found first, that the great
bodv of hides produced in this coun-
try were a bi-product from the siaugh-
ter of cattle, and that their price was
made here: second, that goat and other
skins tanned in this country were not
produced here. and, third, that the
hides imported, except in a few IN
stances. were dry hides, used in max
ing sole leather, a large proportion OF
which was exported We could tan
hides with our cheap material for the
foreign market, weighing the balance
of advantages. The committee decld-
ed against a duty on hides. our tan
ming industry, he said, was adjusted
TO free hides. and it was decided that
a duty on hides would not be OF ad-
vantage to the farmer, and would be
distinct disadvantage to our export
trade.
uenburn (R.) of Iowa then came for
ward with a. vehement speech in favor
of a duty on hides. Hepburn declared
that the wool interests dwarfed in con-
trast with the vast cattle interests OF
the country Iowa was more interested
in hides than wool. She marketed an
nually Sc 0O0. 600 worth of hides, and
not 10 Der cent. of that amount or WOOL
He demanded that the Ways and
Means Committee allow the sense OF
the House to be taken on this question:
and affirmed with great positiveness
that every Republican from the West
favored a duty on hides.
I'VE insist" he shouted, that the
tanning aud leather industries of New
York, Pennsylvania and New England
should not be allowed to stifle the de-
mands of the West" Democratic ap-
plause.)
Norton CD of Ohio made vicious
assault on the majority. Instead of de-
nouncing Mr.. Cleveland on every occa-
sion, he said the other side ought to be
down on their knees at the feet of his
''perspiring obesity and ponderous pom
derosity." thanking him for the oppor-
tunity he had given them to again rob
the people
An amendment putting bolting cloths
for milling purposes at % per cent.