The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-06


All That is Left to be Considered.
Washington, July 1.-The finance
committee suffered several unexpected
reverses during the progress Of the
tariff bill today, being defeated on three
important votes. Cotton bagging was
placed on the free list-30 to 25-and
cotton ties also by a vote of % to %.
The duty on white pine lumber was
reduced from 81 to 81 per 1000 by 90 to
81. The amendment on pine OCCASION
ed the greatest surprise and led to a
general breaking up Of party lines on
both sides Of the chamber. During the
early stages Of the debate the duty on
lumber, including pine, was placed at
81, after a p~rotracted contest. Today
Senator Teller returned to the con-
test and moved to place white pine
lumber on the free list. The amend
ment was defeated by the close vote
Of 50 to SO, four republicans Baker,
Carter, Hansbrough and Quay joining
with the democrats, pOpulists and sill
yer republicans in the affirmative,
while three democrats Bacon, Mem
cry and MARTINI voted with the repub-
IiCanS in the negative. Following up
this close vote, Senator L%Iantle, silver
republican. moved to reduce the rate
on white pine from 81 to 81, and this
carried by a majority Of one. Two re-
publicans (Baker and Carter voted
with the democrats in the affirmative,
and three democrats Bacon, McEnery
and Martin) with the republicans in
the negative.
The bill is now completed, with the
exception of the reciprocity section and
some comparatively minor paragraphs.
Much progress was made today in
clearing up detached paragraphs here
tofOre passed over. Only threes OF these
(coal tar, potash and tea) remain, so
that these items, the reciprocity sec
ton and the brief internal revenue and
administrative provisions are all that
is left of the bill to be disposed OF be-
fore the inal vote is taken.
The tariff bill was taken up prompt
Iy. Senator Allison reported back the
amendment to the paragraph offered by
Senator White yesterday, allowing a
drawback of duty on coal used in
American vessels engaged in foreign
trade and in the trade betWeen At
lantic and Pacific portions of the United
States. The original amendment was
modified by the committee to omit the
cOastWise trade.
Senator Allen, of Nebraska. proposed
a further amendment allowing the
drawback on coal not only to vessels,
but to inhabitants of the United States.
Does that mean free coal?" asked
Senator Clark, of Wyoming.
Yes. free coal" answered Senator
Allen, who argued that the people were
as much entitled to the benefits of free
coal as were the owners of vessels.
After further debate, Senator Aliens
a-+1 ODD Tho nny1
mittee amendment allowing drawbacks
to American vessels was agreed to
without division.
The proposed amendment placing cot
ton hagging on the free list was then
considered at length. Senator Pettus,
of Alabama, had previously given no.
tice of the amendment, as follows:
"Bagging for cotton. gunny cloth and
all similar material suitable for cover
ing cotton. composed wholly or in part
of hemp. flax, jute or jute butts
Senator Pettus spoke in support of
the amendment, saying he desired to
avoid a party contest and expected to
secure republican votes.
Senator White moved to extend the
amendment to burlaps and grain bags,
made of burlap.
As finally amended the proposed par
agraph is as follows: "Bagging for cot
ton. composed of single yarns, made of
jute. jute butts or hemp; plain. woven
fabrics. bags and sacks of single jute
or hemp yarns, by whatever name
known. and burlap and bags for grain
made of burlaps."
In this form the amendment was
agreed to-3O to %. The affirmative
vote was democratic. Senators Allen,
Cannon. Heitfield, Kyle, Mantle and
Teller also voted. The negative vote
was republican throughout, with the
exception of senator Jones, of Nevada.
Senator Bacon's amendment placing
cotton ties on the free list was then
considered. After a brief explanation
by Senate Bacon, the vote was taken
and the amendment agreed to. The
vote in detail was substantially the
same as the previous vote.
An amendment placing floor mating,
including Chinese mating, on the free
list, was agreed to without division,
these mattings having been taken from
the dutiable list by a close vote some
weeks ago.
The house paragraph placing on the
free lisc hides and skins not specifical-
Iy provided for, was restored.
The paragraph relating to the per-
SOnal effects of persons arriving IN the
United States was modified so that the
effects taken abroad may be brought
back without limit, while effects &C
ullC bloou anu AN "AN
TO be limited to 500.
Senator Teller moved an
including in the free list rough lum-
Der manufactured of white pine" The
senator criticised the course of the
committee in placing white pine on the
dutiable list. thus encouraging the de-
struction of pine when it was known
the supply wOul not last eight years.
; Senator Teller said he was for pro-
( lection, but he would not carry it to
extremes, compelling every man build
ing a nome or using a stick of pine to
pay tribute to the few owners of pine.
He declared that the duty on pine was
one of the many absolutely indefensi-
BILE features of this bill.
The amendment was rejected.
Senator Mantle moved to reduce the
duty on white pine from 81 to 81 per
1000 feet, and the amendment was car
ried by the close vote of 80 to 81. after
another break in party lines on both
sides of the chamber.