The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-22
SENATE DEBATE SPIRITLESS.
vR JONES OPENS THE DAY WITH A
PROTEST..

10 Takes the Ground That the Con-
ference Committee Exceeded Its
authority in It's Action on
the Paragraph Relating to Print
inr Paper-AbandOnmen of the
stamD Tax on Bonds and Stocks
c,uses Much Adverse Criticism.
Washington, July 21.-The Senate con-
ended the formal reading of the tariff
conference report to-day. The debate was
spiritless in the main.
Early in the day, Mr.. Jones of Arkansas
made protest against the conference
committee on the ground that it had ex
oaeded its authority in so amending the
paragraph relating to printing paper as
- mace a retaliatory duty against the
Countries paying an export bounty on
wood pulp. His point of order was de-
bated at much length and finally over
ruled by the vice president. This removed
the only obstacle thus far encountered by
the reciprocity amendment
The abandonment of the stamp tax on
honds and stocks developed much criti-
cism.
When the amendment relative to hides
was reached. Mr.. Allen asked why the
eonferees had provided drawback of
duty on leather exported, made from inn
ported hides.
Mr. Aldrich explained that the House
had insisted on the proviso, and he felt
that the drawback was payable under the
law without reference to this provision.
To 00O Of
enue would be obtained from the duty on
hides and probably half of this would be
paid in drawbacks.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska spoke against the
bill as a whole, and incidentally referred
to the present coal strike, contrasting 1t
with the promise of prosperity. The
strike would be arbitrated, he said, and
arbitrated in but one way, namely, in ia
vor of the coal baron and against the min
er. and if the miner protested he would be
met with the baton of the police and bayo-
net of the tin soldier
MIR. Teller and Mr.. Vest criticised the
hide amendment They were replied TO py
Mr.. Aldrich.
The conference amendment, emitting
from the free list scientific books and pc
riodcals, brought out a sarcastic speech
from MIR. Vest. The democratic party had
in the Wilson bill placed paintings, stat
usry and scientific books on the free list
thus comforting a benefit on all our peo-
pie by inviting to this country the best
productions of art and science. Now 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
lengthy debate; Mr. Teller inquired why
ha had -aefrf lot 10 fxar1
years in making reciprocity treaties.
Mr.. Allison explained that it was desired
to nave our commercial relations definitely
established within reasonable time. 1t
is believed this could be accomplished
within two years
Mr.. Teller said his first thought was
that the committee were 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 provision would arouse criticism on
the mental ability Of the congress enact
ing it.
MIR. Allison explained that congress had
no means of negotiating with foreign gov
ernments so that a treaty was essential
before any reciprocal plan of tariff re-
duction could be executed.
Inc conference amendment striking out
The Senate provision for a stamp tax on
bonds and Stocks led to discussion also.
In answer to inquiries Mr. Allison said
the point had been raised that an excise
tax must be levied on a class of articles
as whole, while the Senate amendment
expressly excepted bonds of building as
Soclauons and other classes of bonds. This
objection was felt to be well taken and
the bond provision was abandoned.
MT. Allen declared that xroc n bar
Submission to the money power.
Nr' Morgan asserted that there were
many reasons beyond the one assigned for
lhe abandonment of the bond tax. The
.ldh influence was the favoritsm shown
10 capital. 1t was this favoritsm which
was making converts to the populist
another influence was the sugar trust,
MHCh had been instrumental in having
we pond tax abandoned, as 1t would ef-
tt tC' lne tremendous stock transfers Of
me formal reading Of the conference
sport was completed at 5:25 o'clock and
e senate at once went into executive
s'ss'oh and adjourned soon afterward