The record-union., 1897-06-24
The Paragraph Relating to Raw Materials
In the Wool Schedule Completed
After a Contest Lasting Throughout
the Days Session.
Allen of Nebraska Makes Sweeping
Denial of the Charges That William
j. Bryan Contributed Funds to the
PopuIists in Order to Effect Fusion.

contest IaSllHS lHIOuShOue ~ Ne~'' -
Senate completed the paragraphs Oh the
wool schedule relating to raw wool, ana
advanced into the features relating to
manufactured woolen goods The day
was devoted largely TO a discussion of
the effect of tariff rates on the price
of wool and the speeches We're on tech
nical lines in the main. At one point
Hoar diverted the discussion by a ref
erence to William j. Bryan's opposl-
ton to the tariff. This brought Senators
Mantle and Allen and Stewart to the
defense of Mr.. Bryan.
Teller was drawn into the controver-
sy, and in a few remarks warned his
former Republican associates that their
hopes of prosperity from this bill would
be blasted
Quay made a strong effort to have the
House ad valorem rates on third-class
wool adopted, but he was defeated-19
to IL
The committee rates We're then agreed
to, viz: Four cents per pound on third
class wool valued at 10 cents or less per
pound and I cents per pound on third
class wool valued above 10 cents per
pound.
The schedule was completed up to
paragraph 364, relating to cloths, knit
fabrics, etc.
Early in the day Allen of Nebraska,
rising to question of personal privi-
lege, made a sweeping denial of public
charges that William ]. Bryan had
contributed 81 800 to the Populist cause
in order to effect fusion.
When the tariff bill was taken up in
the Senate Quay moved to lay on the
table the amendments of the Finance
Committee TO paragraph 3o1 (wooD,
the effect being to restore the House
rates, and the motion was lost-19 to
Al
Teller made a vigorous speech, in
which he asserted that he wanted the
tariff bill passed. He charged the Re-
publicans with having no desire to push
the tariff bill. If they wanted to they
might have passed it thirty days ago,
he said.
Teller, replying to some remarks of
Hoar to the effect that Bryan would
have vetoed tariff bill for a duty on
wool, although some of his supporters
were now urging a higher rate, stated
that if Hoar on any other Senator was
going to bring the last campaign into
the Senate the bill would be delayed
Indefinitely, as the silver men would
not allow such assertions to go uncha1-
lenged.
Allen of Nebraska then arose to
question of personal privilege in con-
nectiOn with the conduct of the last
campaign. There was much interest in
the statement, as Allen was Chairman
of the Populist national convention.
Allen read a published press dispatch
from Lewiston, Me, saying that Pro-
fessOr L. c. Bateman, candidate of the
Peoples party of Maine for Governor
last year, was out in an attack on Will
lam j. Bryan to the effect that Bryan's
gift of 81 800 to the PopUlist National
Committee was with the distinct un-
derstanding that no action against fu-
sion should be taken by the Populist
national convention.
- Allen made a sweeping denial He
said Mr.. Bryan had determined to di-
vide the royalties on his books and in
so doing allotted 81, 800 to the Populist
party. The draft was sent to Mr. AL
len, but the Chairman of the Populist
National Committee (Senator Butler of
North Carolina) declined to accept it.
Thereupon, at the suggestion of Mr.
Bryan, Allen invested the amount to be
used in the interest of bimetallism.
Allen declared that the statement
that any agreement existed as to fusion
in connection with the gift was IAN alb
solute and unqualified falsehood. ."
There had never been, he declared. an
attempt to fuse the parties, either ma
tionally or locally.
Allen also specifically denied the
~,
(Allen's) name to the list appended to
the letter of notification. The Senator
closed with a high tribute to Mr.. Bry-
an and an arraignment of Professor
Bateman.
Mr.. Butler briefly stated that the
offer was made to him. but he felt
impeiled to decline it. He knew Mr.
Bryan's motive, but felt that the ac-
ceptance might be open to miscon-
struction. The offer had been made.
he said, without any condition. ex-
press or implied.
The consideration of the wool sched-
ule was then resumed Paragraph
3oI relating to third class woods was
taken up. There was considerable op-
position to the proposed rates, the de-
bate being largely on technical lines
relative to grades of wool.
Vest of Missouri pointed out conflicts
between the views of Messrs. Law
renee and Justice, two wool experts.
and said if these recognized authori-
ties were so far apart, how could the
laymen be expected to get at the
truth.
Mantle of Montana criticised some of
the statements of Justice. particularly