The herald., 1897-03-31
IN THE SENATE
Mr.. Aliens Tariff Speech Falls
Rather Flat

WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator
Allen of Nebraska, Populist. made
long speech in the senate today on the
unconstitutionality of the tariff taxes
beyond those requisite for revenue. AL
though it was the first tariff speech the
senate has heard this session, it did not
attract much attention. Allen severely
criticised the trusts and combinations
which, he declared. reaped the main ad-
vantage of tariff taxes. The senator's
remarks were in the nature of legal
argument, showing the constitutional
limitations of the taxing power of con-
gress. He maintained also that it was
not the laborers and wage earners who
were clamoring for a higher tariff but
manufacturers, bankers, attorneys and
lobbyists, who made their appeals in the
name of the wage Garner. He asserted
there were very few laborers and pro-
ducers who believed that wages We're
raised substantially by a high tariff. and
still fewer who desired that such tariff
sshould be levied on the articles of nee
essary consumption of 25 per cent of
the people for their special benefit. In
conclusion the speaker declared that the
full measure of the taxing power Of
congress is reached when a tariff for
revenue, with incidental protection, is
imposed. Any other construction. he
said, would lead to confiscation and in
cidentally to enforced repudiation, "the
two worst conceivable forms of anarchy
and disorder in civilized state"
Senator Allen added: I'VE cannot
serve the people and the money power
at the same time
At the conclusion Sf Aliens remarks
the resolution was referred to the
finance committee.
The house amendments to the senate
joint resolutions appropriating s25Oo0
for the saving of life and property along
the Mississippi river were agreed to and
the resolution now goes to the president.
Mcbride of Oregon presented an
amended certificate from the governor
of Oregon as to the appointment of
Henry w. Corbett as senator from that
state. The certificate states that the ap-
pointment is until the next legislature
shall meet. thus curing the supposed
defect in the first credentials, which did
not fix the limit of service.
Among the petitions was one from the
board of sheep commissioners of Mon
atna. urging the most ample protection
on wool in accordance with the platform
promises. and asserting that the policy
of protection would not long prevail
without this adequate protection to the
wool-growing interest.
The Cuban question was brought for
ward again by Morgan, who presented
a resolution requesting the president to
inform the senate whether letters had
been received by the present and former
chief executives from Gen. Gomez COM
mander of the evolutionary forces in
Cuba. The resolution recites at length
the letter said to have been forwarded
to President Mckinley and his predeces-
sor from Gomez and published in the
newspapers today. The resolution con-
cluded with a request that the president
shall also inform the senate whether
the Spanish authorities in Cuba have
refused to allow cipher dispatches to
be transmitted between the United
states consul at Sagua la Grande and
the United States consul general at Ha-
vana.
At p m. the senate went into execu-
tive session and al 4:25 adjourned
A MONETARY MEASURE.
WASHINGTON, March S0.-Repre-
sentative Heitwole of Minnesota has in
troduced a resolution for a banking and
currency commission, which is in line
with McKinley's inaugural address and
of the Indianapolis conference. The
resolution recites that in view Of the
present banking and currency system,
1t Is desirable that congress shall have
the aid of experts in making changes
The commission is to be composed of
four citizens eminent in trade, politics
and banking, appointed by the presi-
dent. and senate committee appointed
by the vice president, and representa-
tives to be appointed by the speaker, and
the comptroller OF the currency, and
the resolution provides that it shall re-
port to congress on the first Monday of
next December.
DINGLEY'S DESIGN
WASHINGTON, March S0.--Chairman