The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-22
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and ironically read Mr.. Chambers remarks
on the Wilson bill, wherein the New Hamp-
shire senator declared that the bill had been
brought forth in the dark and should be
blasted by legislative lightning.
A lengthy discussion followed on the
powers OF a conference committee MT.
Morgan argued that the committee had eX-
ceeded its powers and that 1t could not ar
rogate to itself the right to originate new
amendments. The senator branched Off to
the partisanShip of the bill. The man who
would lift the tariff out of politics. he said,
would be another Thomas Jefferson as
benefactor to his country. The present bill
was framed on purely partisan lines. de-
give bCIeflts to party favorites. Mr.. Nor
San referred 10 the reports that the Splen-
did and ponderouS speaker of the House
of Representatives had secured House
victory on the sugar schedule The senator
thought there must be some mistake about
the speakers success, for notwithstanding
a thing the higher il rises; Notwithstanding
his sitting down on the sugar schedule
up. go the prices. If he. can't work the
safety valve better than that he had better
retire from politics.
Vice President Hobart then announced
his decision on the point of order holding
that it not well taken. 1t was not,
he said for the chair to determine whether
the matter in a conference report was new,
or was relevant. All such questions We're
for the Senate itself on the question of ac-
cepting or rejecting the report.
When the amendment relating to hides
was reached Mr.. Allen. of Nebraska, asked
why the conferees had provided n drawback
of duty on leather exported, made from
imported hides. Mr.. Aldrich explained that
he felt that the drawback was payable un-
der the law without reference to this pro-
vision. He thought about $4,000 to $4,000
of revenue would be obtained from the duty
on hides and, probably about half of this
would be paid in drawbacks.
INTRODUCING COAL STRIKE.
Mr.. Allen spoke against the bill as a
whole, and incidentally referred to the pres
ent coal strike, contrasting ito with the
promises of prosperity. The strike would
be arbitrated he said, and arbitrated in
but one way, namely in favor of the coal
baron and against the miner, and if the
miner protested he would be met with the
baton of the policeman or the bayonet of
the soldier
Mr. Teller and Mr.. Vest criticised the hide
amendment, the former saying that the
drawback clause was in the interest OF the
Eastern tanners, as the Western who did
not export leather, would get no drawback:
Mr.. Aldrich answered that the East and
West stood on the same basis so far as
this legislation was concerned. 1t was i'm
possible to build a battle ship at Omaha,
but that was due to the geography of the
country and not to any legislative discIlIn-
fnation against Omaha and the West. MT
Aldrlch said that three out oil the nVe sen
ate cOnfereeS were from the West ana he
hOty repudiated the statement that New
England and the East had been unduly IA
vOred by the conferees. The conference
amendment emitting from the free list
scientific books and periodicals brought out
a sarcastic speech from Mr.. Vest. The de-
rided Democracy had in the Wilson bill
placed paintings, statuary and scientific
benefit on all our people by inviting 20 this
country the best productions of art and
science. Now, however, the G. 0. p, the
party Of culture, refinement and progress,
took the backward track and attempted to
exclude these articles
The reciprocity amendment occasioned
Y y w
President had been restricted to two years
in making reciprocity treaties. Mr.. Allison
explained that it was desired to have our
commercial relations definitely established
within a reasonable time. 1t was believed
this could be accomplished within two
years. Mr.. Teller said his first thought was
that the committee was afraid TO trust the
next President.
Mr.. White criticised the provision that
reciprocity treaties shall be approved by
Congress- Congress had the power to raise
or lower duties without waiting to approve
a treaty and he declared that this pro-
vision would arouse criticism on the mental
ability of the Congress enacting It. Mr..
Allison explained that Congress had no
means of negotiating with foreign govern
ments so that a treaty was essential before
any reciprocal plan of tariff reduction could
be executed.
the Senate provision for a stamp tax on
bonds and stocks also led to discussion. In
point had been raised that an excise tax
must be levied on class of articles as az
whole, while the Senate amendment eX-
pressly excepted bonds OF building aSsoCia-
tions and other classes of bonds. This cb
lection was felt to oe well ta'.on ana the
bond provision was abandoned.
Mr.. Allen declared that this was another
humble submission to the money power.
Mr.. Morgan asserted that there were many
reasons beyond the one assigned for the
abandonment of the bond tax. The main
influence was the faVoritism shown TO cap
ital 1t was this favoritism which was
making converts to the Popuist party. An
nfh int was a U
had been instrumental in having the bond
tax abandoned, as it would affect the tre-
mendous stock transfers of the trust.
The formal reading of the conference re-
port was completed at 5:25 clock and the
Senate at once went into executive ses-
sion, adjourning soon after.