Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-07-02
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, July 2.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, July z.
SENATE.
Senator Wellington rose to ques-
ton of personal privilege soon after
the Opening of the Senate to-day, and
in vehement voice referred to publica.
lions concerning conflict said to have
taken place yesterday before the COM
mittee on commerce, in relation to the
appointment of B. Fl. Warner, jr., as
consul to Leipsic. The Senator de-
clared that the publication was 80 un-
lust that he could not allow it to pass
unchallenged. 1t sought to injure him
with his constituents and to embroil
him in conflict with the President OF
the United States. Mr. Wellington
said he understood committee meetings
relating to nominations were secret and
sacred and he could not believe that
any member of the committee gave the
information. Under such circumstances
who could have inspired this report
but "that creature" present in the
committee room yesterday. Mr. We'll
lington said the Maryland delegation
were not opposed to him as stated, but
that they would stand with him in this
matter. 1t was false, too, he asserted,
that a conflict with the governor of
Maryland was involved.
1t was alleged that he had attacked
President Mckinley but this, too he
declared was false. He was free man
and he reserved it to himself to criti-
else any appointment. He had done
40 yesterday in respectful manner,
and should the occasion arise ne would
do 80 again. The Senator said he was
for the administration and had labored
for its triumph, accomplishing work
in Maryland which he thought desery-
ed some consideration.
He had the right to expect the same
con sideration as that accorded to other
republican Senators. eff the price of
patronage is to be servile obedience
then 1 refuse to give it," exclaimed Mr..
Wellington. He spoke again of the
| creature" responsible for the report
and closed with an emphatic statement
as to his prerogatives. If these pre-.
rogotives were to be interfered with,
then he proposed to make war" He
had a right to be treated as other Sena-
tors, with the same senatorial pre-
negatives. He could not be driven
from the Senate by these attacks.
II will remain right here" exclaimed
Mr.. Wellington, striking his desk re-
sounding blow. "No man ever struck
me blow that I did not return it with
interest and they will find me on deck
if the struggle is to begin.".
After the stir of this incident, the
tariff bill was taken up. Mr.. White
asked Mr.. Allison as to the programme
I on tea, beer, the antitrust amendment
and other important questions.
Mr.. Allison responded that an
amendment relating to the increase of
the revenue to be derived from the bill
would be brought in later in the day.
AS to other questions little more time
was desired.
Mr.. Teller inquired what the com.
mittee or caucus contemplated doing
on the question of decreasing the tax
on distilled spirits.
Mr.. Allison answered that the whole
question of distilled spirits had been
gone over. Personally, he believed
lower tax would be productive of great
or revenue, but he thought it unwise to
60 into the complex question in connec-
tion with this tariff bill.
Mr.. Teller said: before this bill is
disposed of l will discuss what should
be done in decreasing the tax on spirits.
| will show that the committee is giving
away g 900, 900 month, to the detri-
ment of consumers who bear the tax
burdens, and to the detriment OF honest
dealers in distilled spirits"
The consideration of the bill then
proceeded.
The clause providing that whenever
any country pays bounty on any ar
ticle then upon the importation of that
article there shall be levied in addition
to the duties an additional duty equal
to the net amount of such bounty then
came up.
Mr.. Gray spoke against it as opening
the way to disregard of treaty obliga-
tons with Germany and Austria-Hun
gary. The Senator declared that enor-
nous frauds against the government
had occurred in the payment of draw
backs, by reason of false figures. He
severely arraigned the sugar trust, say
ing its lobbyist infested the corridors of
Congress aud the people we're its slaves
Mr. Chandler said he would vote for
the retaliatory clause with extreme re-
uctance. He had been told that Ger.
many would begin course of CONNER
cial warfare against the United States
and lie would make sacrifices to prevent
friction between the empire of Germany
and the United States.
There were circumstances now trans.
piring he said, that would make it I'M
fortunate that commercial conflicts
should arise at this time between the
United States and Germany, France,
England or other countries.
Mr.. Lindsay criticised the amend.
ment, as pure, undisguised protection
without excuse as revenue measure.
The vote was then taken and the
retaliatory clause was agreed to, SO 10.
WARRENToN PosToFFICE.-.The
Warrenton postoffice was turned over to