The record-union., 1897-05-27
S8Ven Paragraphs Of the Measure Con-
Sidered During the Day,
The Committee Being Sustained IN
Every Instance.
A Test of the Strength of the Various
Elements Brought Out by Vote
on an Amendment by Vest ReGuC=
ing the Tariff on BoraciC Acid, Re-
sulting in Its Defeat.

Sulting in Its Defeat.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The first
vote on the tariff bill was taken IN the
Senate to-day. 1t came after two houfs
debate on the item for boraclc acld,
which. although comparatively unlm-
portant, afforded an opportunity for the
first alignment of the various elements.
Vest of Missouri, a Democratic member
of the Finance Committee, moved to
make the rate on boracic acid . cents
instead of 4 cents per pound, as proVid-
ed by the committee. This presented a
direct issue between the committee and
opponents of the bill The amendment
was defeated-yeas 20, noes 81. The
vote was largely on party lines.
The debate was participated in by
Senators Vest, Jones of Arkansas, Al
drich, Perkins, White, Caffery, Gray and
Stewart.
White, a Democratic member of the
Finance Committee, opposed Vest s
amendment, urging that the California
industry required the rate allowed by
the committee.
Seven paragraphs of the bill We're con-
sidered during the day, the committee
being sustained in each instance.
The resolution was agreed to author
izing the Secretary of the Navy to en-
ploy any suitable ship in forwarding re-
lief supplies to India.
Another debate occurred over the
chartering of ships to carry relief sup
plies to India.
Chandler of New Hampshire endeav-
ored to get a vote on his proposition to
send the supplies by any suitable ship
Morgan of Alabama insisted that
American ships under the American flag
be employed He favored naturalizing
two foreign-built ships, even if it does
grind on some gentlemen who monopo-
lize the coastwise trade in steamships
After discussion by Senators Gray,
Stewart and Frye, motion by Morgan
10 table the Chandler proposition was
defeated, IS to 40. and the joint resolu-
tion was then passed.
Just as it passed Sewall of New Jer-
sey made a breif and vigorous state
ment that this American benefactlon
should go under the American flag, and
Morgan added: THE American flag is
now hauled down.
The final conference on the Indian bill
was tnen agreed TO-
The tariff bill was taken up at =
O'clock
White of California, in behalf of the
Democratic members of the Finance
Committee, submitted a number of ta-
bles, showing the articles on which du-
ties were from 80 to 10 per cent, from
70 to 100 per cent. and over 100 per
cent.
In reply to questions by White, AL
drich, in charge of the bill, stated that
he was unable to state the average ad
valorem rate Of the entire bill, or the to-
tai number of amendments proposed.
The formal reading of the bill then be-
gan, and the Senate was thus brought
to the point of considering the meas
ure by paragraphs. The first amend
ments were formal and We're agreed TO
without question. AS soon as the sec
ond page was reached, a contest arose
over the amendments proposed by the
Finance Committee raising the duty on
boracic acid from to cents per
pound.
Vest of Missouri moved to substitute
3 cents. He characterized the deter
mination of the committee as remark
able. and said the proposed duty Of >
cents was enormous.
Aldrich replied that the proposed rate
was regarded as a proper protection to
the producers of the article in Nevada
and California, and the persons engaged
in the production held that this rate was
essential.
Jones of Arkansas presented pros
pectus of an English company, setting
forth that it was about to purchase and
consolidate the boraX lands and plants
in Nevada, California and Oregon The
prospectus also stated that large profits
Were made by the American capitalists.
White (D) of California, a member
OF the Finance Committee. said faceti-
ously that in the distribution of favors
by this bill he desired to have his State
receive a share. He had been assured
by those interested that there was not
a word of truth in the statement that
the American fields were controlled by
an English company. He had some per
sonal information in borax productions
OF California. he said. The negotia-
tions for a sale had failed.
White gave it as his opinion thai
If the policy of the bill was to be main
tanned, then the rate could Mot bt
lowered and afford adequate protec-
ton to the American companies. Ht
said he would vote for the committee
rate.
Jones answered White, developing
some divergence of views between these
two minority members OF the Finance
Committee.
Stewart (Pop) Of Nevada whose po
sition toward the bill has been a sub
ject of interest stated that if there wa'
to be tariff bill the products of Ne
vada. including borax, should receive
adequate protection.
Caffery CD of Louisiana remarked
that his associate (White) appeared L
favor the policy of General Hancock
that the tariff is a local matter. anC
If there are to be any benefits h
(White) wants his share.
A vote was then taken on Vest
amendment. 1t was the first vote o
the bill, and was followed with close at
tention. The amendment was defeated
20 TO 34 as follows:
Yeas-Berry. Caffersa Chiffon, Clay
Cockrell. German, Gray, Jones, Kenny
Lindsay, Morgan, Murphy. Pascoe
RawIins, Roach, Smith, Turpie, Vest