The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-22
Tacit Understanding in the Senate That the Debate
Is Not to Be Prolonged Beyond
That Time.
MIR. VEST RAISES A
POINT OF ORDER.
The Reading of the Formal Report Completed and
Some Portions of 1t Debated With Show
of Partisan Spirit.

WASHINGTON, July 21.-The senate
concluded the formal reading of the
tariff conference report today. The de-
bate was spiritless in the main. Early
in the day Mr.. Jones (Ark) made a
contest against the conference commit
tee on the ground that it had exceed
ed it's authority in so amending the
paragraph relating to printing paper as
to placing a retaliatory duty against
the countries paying export bounty on
wood pulp. His point of order was de-
bated at much length, and finally over
ruled by Vice President Hobart. This
removed the only obstacle thus far en-
countered by the report. The rec1proc-
ity amendment and the abandonment
of the stamp tax on bonds and stocks
developed much criticism.
When the senate adjourned today the
understanding was general that the
final vote would be taken on the report
not later than Friday, but there was
no formal agreement to this erect.
Both Senators Jones and White, who
have been leading the opposition to the
bill on behalf of the Democrats, eX-
pressed the opinion that the vote would
not be postponed beyond this time.
Senator Allison also stated that, while
he still considered a vote possible to-
morrow, he felt very confident that II
would not be postponed beyond Fri
day. In the event of a vote on the tar
iff Friday, final adjustment is general
ly predicted for Saturday.
The conference report was taken UP
as soon as the routine business was
disposed of and the formal reading
proceeded. During the early hours the
discussion was purely formal, most or
the time being given to identifying the
numbered amendments with the text
of the senate bill. The first contest
arose over the amendment felatlng 10
printing paper The conference re-
ported a retaliatory proViso, as fol-
lows: ,--,,, -,
pose an export duty upon pulp Woou, eA-
ported to the United States, there snam De oS
imposed upon printing paper when imported
from such country or dependency, an ADJ,
tional duty of one-tenth of one cent per pouIo
for each dollar of export duty per t;o Goru SO SO
imposed, and proporttonately Tor lractlohs VI
a dollar of such export duty.
Senators Vest, Jones (Ark.), and Tel
ler vigorously protested against TINS
amendment, saying it was new pro
vision. not acted on by the senate or
house and beyond the power of the
Conference committee. Mr.. Teller char
acterized such conference work as an
outrage, as the committee acted arbl-
trarilV and came before the senate
saving. in effect: What are you go
ing to do about it?"
POINT OF ORDER.
Mr. Jones finally made a direct
issue against the conference COM
mittee, making a point of order against
the retaliatory clause, on the ground
of it's being new matter He salo ne
would ask for ruling from the chair
on the regularity of the conference
action.
Mr.. Chandler On. H) referred to the
broad latitude given conference COM
mittees in the practice of both houses
of congress. He raised a laugh by
telling Mr. Jones that he had "swal-
lowed two tribes of Indians" on con-
ference report on one of the Indian
appropriation bills.
Mr. Aldrich Or. - one of the con-
ferees, defended the retaliatory clause,
saying it was strictly within the rights
of the conferees, as the general sub
iect was in difference between the SEN
ate and house. The conference report
must be accepted or rejected as
whole. said Mr.. Aldrich, and the main
peals for a ruling from the chair.
Mr.. White (Cal) referred to the
secret sessions of the Republican con-
ferees and ironically read Mr.. Chan
dlers remarks on the Wilson bill,
wherein the New Hampshire senator
declared that the bill had been
brought forth in the dark and should
be blasted by legislative lightning.
A lengthy discussion followed on the
powers of conference committee.
Mr.. Morgan argued that the COM
mittee had exceeded it's powers and
that it could not arrogate to itself the
right to originae new amendments.
The senator branched off to the par
tisanship of the bill. The man who
would lift the tariff out of politics, he
said, would be another Thomas JEFF
ferson. as a benefactor to his cuntry.
The present bill was framed on purely
partisan lines, declared Mr. Morgan,
and was designed to give benefits to
party favorites.
Mr.. Morgan referred to the reports
that the splendid and ponderous
speaker" of the house of representa-
tives had secured a victory on the
sugar schedule. The senator thought
there must be some mistake about the
speakers success for Notwithstanding
his ponderosity, the harder he sits