The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-22
SENATE

made greater progress today on the
tariff bill than any day since the de-
bate opened. Two entire schedules,
covering twenty pages, were completed;
namely, schedule II, on spirits, wines
and beverages, and schedule /, on man
ufactured cotton goods. This brings
the senate to the flax schedule, with
the important wool schedule standing
next.
The portion Of the bill passed today
is substantially the same as that re-
ported, all committee changes being
unimpDrtant, while the opposition
amendments of Senators Jones, of
Arkansas, and Vest, were systematic
cally rejected by majorities varying
from five to ten. Senator Allison Sc
cured the addition of a new paragraph
TO the cotton schedule with a view TO
compromising the cotton manufacture
ers for the recent action Of the senate
in placing raw cotton on the dutiable
list.
The wine paragraph led to some dis
cussiOn. That on champagne and other
sparkling wines was agreed to as re-
ported. The committee paragraph on
still wines was perfected by striking
out the provision for an additional
duty of 8 cents on each bottle or jug,
and the substitution Of a provision that
the filled bottles or jugs shall pay the
same duty as if empty.
The paragraph on cherry juice, etc,
was modified by the committee to in
clude the house provision contain
ing no alchOhOl or not more than Is
per cent. of alchOhOl," and thus was
agreed to.
The first paragraph of the cotton
manufacturers schedule, cotton thread
and yarn, was contested by senator
Jones, of Arkansas. He spoke at
length on the ability of the American
cotton manufacturer to compete against
the foreign producer without high
duty.
Senator Mills, of Texas, declared that
every pound Of cotton grown in this
country could be manufactured in
American factories if the elements of
cotton prOductiOn-dyes, machinery,
coal, etc, We're not SO heavily taXed.
Senator Vest commended republican
senators to the views of James CT.
Blaine, the greatest apostle of pro-
lection that ever lived in the United
States" expressed in 1881, that there
was no reason why the American cot
ton manufactures could not compete
with England for the cotton production
of the world.
The debate although on the first par
agraph on the cotton schedule, took a
wide range. covering the entire cot
ION question.
Senator MCIaurin, of South Carolina,
renewed attention to the division
among democratic senators on certain
duties, including cotton, and defended
his course as in line with democratic
-. al ... OIL +I-- - ~A- I Form,
Senator Jones, of Arkansas. offered
an amendment in the nature of a test
on the entire cotton schedule. prOpOs-
ing the Wilson rates on cotton thread
and yarns. rejeCted-20 to 80. Senator
McEnery, of Louisiana, voted with
the republicans in the negative. The
democratic senators, Bacon, Clay, Nc
Laurin and Tillman, who had voted for
a duty on raw cotton, were in the af-
tirmative On this motion to reduce the
rate on manufactured cotton.
After this contest rapid progress was
made on the cotton schedule, the para
graphs being agreed to as reported.
When the paragraphs relating to cot
ton cloth from 200 to 300 threads to the
square inch and exceeding 300 threads
was reached, Senator Jones moved to
substitute the Wilson rates, which were
about y cent a yard less. This brought
out a speech from Senator Butler. of
NORTH tarOlld, against lnc oil DIS d
class measure. Senator Jones amend
ment on cotton cloths was rejected
IS to q.
Senator Vest stated as to the item Of
hose, shirts, drawers. etc. that the
heavy duties were imposed on the low
grades of goods used by the poor.
Amendments proposed by him and Sen
alto Jones ~embodying the Wilson rates,
were rejected. That on stockings was
defeated-23 to 81.
Senator Allison proposed a new par
agraph, 3191h, with a view to meeting
the duty heretofore imposed on raw
cotton. He said the duty on raw cot
tor, if it remained in the bill, would
probably require an entire overhaul
ing of the cotton schedule at a later
stage. The additional paragraph pro-
videS that on all cotton yarns finer
han No. 10 single, and the goods man.
ufactured thereof. the duty shall be 10
per cent in additional rates of the cot
ton schedule.
Senator Vest said his was a direct
result Of the action in placing a duty
on raw cotton. It was a part of the
inter-dependent trust of the protective
system.
Senator Vest declared that at the
outset Senator Aldrich had said the
committee amendments reduced the
house rates. while. under the influence
of the caucus, these reductions We're
being abandoned and the house rates
accepted.
Senator Allison that histo-
ry was repeating itself and he recalled
amid amusement the trouble over the
Wilson bill debate.
Senator Tillman. of South Carolina.
said he was one of the democrats vOt-
ing fOr a duty on raw cotton. He
vowed that he wanted the bill loaded
as heavily as possible. so as to dis
guest The people and have them "tlrn
you our" If his democratic associates
could get any consolation by INVITING
him for voting for his section in thiS
genera game of grab we'll ami
good. As to the republican senators
he warned them that no tariff bih
would bring prosperity which gave
compensatory duties to the manufac-
turers out OF the pockets of the peo-
pie.
SnnaAAr A1irnr'S Log nQrQ pronh