The herald., 1897-05-26
v ith a Long Explanation of the
Measure
THE HOUSE BILL DIDN'T SUIT
BECAUSE THE SCHEDULES WERE
TOO LOW
The Senate Bill Nicely Calculated to
Foster Every American Indus
try and Is Guaranteed to
Harm Nobody
Associated Press special wire.

marin NoOouy
Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, May 25.-The debate
on the tariff bill began in the senate
today with crowded galleries and a
large attendance of senators and tariff
leaders Of the house.
Minor business claimed attention up
10 2 p. m., when senator Aldrich of
Rhode Island, in charge of the bill, had
the measure laid before the senate and
took the floor for the opening speech.
At that time every available seat in the
galleries was occupied. The Republican
side Of the floof showed an almost solid
or four vacant seats. The Democrats
tered seats OF the Populists were occu-
pied with but one exception.
Mr.. Dingley, chairman of the ways
and means committee and author of
the house bill. took seat Immediately
behind Aldrich, and listened attentive
ly. Other Republican members of the
ways and means committee and Repre-
sentative Simpson of the Populist con-
tingent occupied the rear lounges.
Speaker Reed was not present.
Mr.. Aldrich spoke for almost an hour
and a quarter, adopting an easy, con-
versational style. His speech was the
official utterance of the finance COM
mittee, and, in a sense, Of the Repubil-
can side of the chamber. Without MAX
ing invidious distinctions between the
two bills, Mr.. Aldrich clearly stated it
as the BELIEF of the finance committee
that the house bill Mould not yield rev.
enue adequate for the needs Of the gov
ernment
Vest Of issouri. Democratic member Of
the finance committee. followed with a
statement in opposition to the bill. He
spoke of the futility' of piling up taxes
on an overburdened people, when there
was balance of $129. .00O, 900 in the treas
ury. He criticised the schedules In de-
tail. declaring that some of them were
designed to be prohlbitive. He severely
attacked the increase in the lead duty,
declaring that 1t was for the benefits
of the "cormorants" Of monopoly, and
against he people.
closed the debate for the day by urging
tributed as to aid the farmers.
Early in the day Mr.. Mallory, the
new senator from Florida. was sworn
In and took his seat.
DEBATE BEGINS
WASHINGTON, May 25.-The tariff
bill was taken up by the Senate at 2
o'clock. Senator Vest gave notice that
when the paragraphs were read he
would move to strike out the provisions
relating to beer, manufactured tobacco,
snuff and cigarettes. Aldrich then open
ed the debate for the Republicans.
In his opening speech Senator Aldrich
said: THE business of the entire coun-
try Is in state of suspension awaiting
the action of the Senate upon the bill
under consideration. believe the
anxiety to secure action upon this i'm
portant measure at he,earliest possible
day is shared by every member Of the
Senate. 1t is my purpose to keep the bill
continuously before the Senate to the
exclusion of all other legislative business
until it is finally disposed of, and in this
shall expect the hearty cooperation
ber. In the discussion by members the
majority of the committee will content
themselves with such brief explanations
as may be found necessary to the var
ious paragraphs as they aresreached.'
1t seems desirable that at the begin
ming of this discussion the majority
Of the finance committee should present
to the senate in detail their estimates of
the effect which the bill would. have upon
the revenue. and that they should ex.
plain in general way the character OF
the amendments they have suggested.
The majority of the committee believe
that if thorough revision of our reve-
nue. tariff laws, such as is contemplate te d
by the house bill, is necessary it should
be carried out in conservative spirit,
and that such a moderate and reasonable
measure ehould be adopted as will in
sure much greater degree OF perma
neucy 70 our tariff legislation believing
frequent rev.c.ons OF the tariff are pro.
ductive OF the long periods Of uncertain
ty and arrested development. The radi-
cal change in policy in 1894 proved dis
astrous to the business interests Of the
country.
1t was. believe. thoroughly under
stood throughout the country in the Last
campaign that II the Republican party
should be again entrusted with power
no extreme tariff legislation would fol.
low.
1t was believed that in the changed
conditions of the country. areturn to tn,
duties imposed by the act Of 1890 woult
be necessary, even from q protectiv,
standpoint.
/ 1t was with these facts constant,
in view that the majority of the inanc'
! committee prepared the amendments