The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-06-24
STORMY REPUBLICAN SCENE
THE WOOL SCHEDULE DEVELOPED
A SERIOUS DISAGREEMENT IN
THE MAJORITY CAMP.
some warm Personal EXCHANGES
between Senator's Foraker and Al
Iison-The Latter Declared He
Would Not he Driven by
Threats, but He Was.

Washington, June 22.-An exciting de-
bate marked the consideration of the
wool schedule which began in the senate
today. 1t developed the first serious
disagreement on the republican side of
the chamber and led TO warm personal
exchange between Senators Carter of
Montana and Foraker of Ohio and Mr.
Allison. in charge of the bill.
Mr.. Foraker asserted that an agree
ment concerning rates on certain woods
was being violated and that under such
circumstances every senator would be
free to act for himself
Mr.. Allison, with great vehemence, de-
cared he could not be driven by threats.
Mr.. Carter, who had aroused the
storm, endeavored to have the paragraphs
relating to carpet woods go over, with n
view to securing some united action, but
Mr.. Vest, in an ironical speech, objected
to delaying the era of prosperity and post
poning the public business while repub-
lican senators held n caucus.
Mr. Teller of Colorado also spoke
AGAINST delay and took occasion to say
he would not vote for the bill unless OBJ
jcctionable features were eliminated.
Aside from this stormy interruption.
fair progress was made on the wool
schedule. The duty on first-class wool
was agreed to at 10 cents per pound and
on second-class wool Mt IL cents, which
is between the house and senate rates
in each case. The rates on third-class
wool went over. Most of the other
amendments related to the classification
of woods.
On one of the amendments, Mr.. Jones
of Arkansas spoke against the entire
schedule as severely oppressive on the
consumer of wooden goods.
The wool schedule was taken up as
soon as the senate opened. Mr.. Mantle
submitted an amendment covering the
three classes of wool prepared by the
Wool Growers association and spoke
briefly thereon. He said his amendments
were the result of careful investigation
by men most familiar with the subject
and asserted that as the manufacturing
interests were securing rates they de-
sired he believed the wool industry of
the whole west should be allowed to say
what the rates on wool should be.
The paragraphs on wool were then
agreed to, as reported, up to paragraph
1855, which was stricken out at Mr.. ALI
sons request. 1t referred to skirted
woods imported in 1890 and prior thereto.
This brought the senate to rates on three
classes of wool.
On the first class the house rates was
II cents per pound, the senate commit
| tee rate 8 cents per pound. Mr.. Allison
moved to substitute 10 cents.
On second class wool the house rates
was II cents and the committee rate 8
cents Mr.. Allison moved to substitute
| IL cents.
| Mr.. Mills of Texas demanded sepa-
rate vote ON each proposition, and the
| first vote was taken on Mr.. Allison's mo-
ton to make the rate 10 cents on first
class wool. 1t was adopted, yeas, 90;
nays, -.
Senators Butler. Carter, Clark, Fora
ker. Heitfeld, Mcbride, Mantle, Petit
grew, Shoup, Stewart, Teller, Turner and
Warren voted in the negative.
The. announcement of the vote was
the signal for an unexpected outburst
on the republican side of the chamber.
| Mr.. Carter (rep.) of Montana rose and
speaking deliberately and impressively,
said the vote just given disclosed n pur-
pose to make reductions in the rates on
wool. There would be a day of reckon
! ing for such action. In view of what
had been done. he asked that the con-
sideration of the wool schedule be now
suspended.
This declaration coming from repub-
lican senator caused mild sensation,
which was but the prelude to another
scene.
Mr.. Foraker, with great positiveness
in his tones, said he had suspected there
was an agreement as to the way of deal
ing with the wool schedule. Then, he
declared vehemently, every senator must
act for himself. He added there was an
agreement in writing and not until he
had entered the chamber today did he
know of the changes which were con-
templated.
And l do not PROPOSE" concluded Mr..
Foraker, with energy, ito be bound by
any such action"
Mr.. Allison, still preserving his out
ward calm, said there was no written
agreement that he knew of, and he
wished to resent in mild terms, he said,
the suggestion of Il combination that had
been made by the senator from Montana
The amendments now offered. he said
were an increase on the original COM
mittee rates on first and second class
wool. although n reduction from the
house rates.
He intimated willingness to postpone
the disputed rates, but, with rising tenn
per. said
Senators are not to be driven. and
the senate is not a good place TO drive"
"And that is why | won't drive" re-
torted Mr.. Foraker.
"Nor will l." came in response from
Mr.. Allison, for the first time flushing
and showing great feeling. If there had
not been an insinuation of a combination,
he would have moved postponement Of
all paragraphs open to question, but with
the senate thrown into condition of
excitement" he did not propose to sub
init to threats.
"And therefore," continued Mr.. ALI
son. passionately, II am not to be driven
by threats by anybody. We are told we
are in q combination, and that the COM
bination will not vote for the bill. j am
for the bill and expect to perfect 1t and
vote for il, and l do not wish to be
charged, as n member of the finance COM
mittee, directly or indirectly, with deal
ings with this question"
Mr.. Foraker had remained on his feet,
and with biting scorn he replied to Mr..
Allison. IF anybody is excited" he said,
1--WE have only to look about
the chamber and see who the excited
persons are"
He proceeded to show that entirely
new features had been proposed In the
wool schedule. which senators had not
an opportunity to examine.
Mr.. Quay came In to inquire as to what
the agreement was to which Mr.. Fora
ker had referred.
The Ohio senator said the agreement
was informal. but Mr.. Quay was in
formed as to it, having been invited to At
tend meeting when. senators consid-