The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-26
TAKING UP OF THE TARIFF.
SENATOR ALDRICH LAYS THE BILL.
BEFORE THE SENATE.

les Occupied and Very Full At
tendance of senator's on the Floor.
Number of the TnriG Leaders of
the Lower House Also on Hand.
senator Mallory sworn in--Mr. Al
drich's speech Consumes More
Than an HOur-Mr. Vest Follows
and Mr.. Cannon of Utah Closes the
Debate For the bay.
Washington, May 25.-The debate on the
tariff bill began in the Senate to-day with
crowded galleries, large attendance of
senator's and the tariff leaders OF the
House
Morning business claimed attention up
to O'Clock, when Senator Aldrich. in
charge of The tarin bill, had the measure
laid before the Senate and took the floor
for the opening speech. At that time ev-
cry available seat in the galleries was oc-
cupied. The republican side of the floor
showed an almost solid representation,
there being but three or four vacant seats.
The democrats also presented fun ranks,
and the scattered seats of the popullsts
were occupied, with but one exception.
Mr.. Dingley, chairman of the ways and
means committee and author of the House
bill, took seat Immediately beside MIR.
Aldrich and listened attentlveIy. Other
republican members of the ways and
means committee and Representative
Simpson of the populist contingent, occu-
pied the rear lounge. Speaker Reed was
not present.
Mr.. Aldrich spoke for almost an hour
and quarter, adopting an easy, conversa-
tional style. His speech was the official
utterances of the finance committee, and
IN a sense, of the republican side of the
chamber
Without making invidious comparisons
between the two bills Mr.. Aldrich clearly
stated, as the belief of the finance COM
mtteee, that the House bill would not
yield revenue adequate for the needs of
the government.
Mr.. Vest, one Of the democratic mem
bers of the finance committee, followed
with a statement in opposition to the bill
Mr.. Cannon of Utah closed the debate
for the day by urging that the protection
should be so distributed as to aid the far
mers.
Early in the day Mr.. Mallory, the new
senator from Florida, was sworn in and
took his seat.
in opening his speech, Mr. Aldrloh said:
Mr.. President; The business of the
entire country is In a state of suspension
awaiting the action of the Senate upon
the bill under consideration. I believe that
the anxiety to secure action upon this i'm
portant measure at the earliest possible
day is shared by every member of the
Senate. / can say for senators sitting on
this side Of the chamber, that no time will
be spent in the academic discussion of the
principles Of protection.
ut is my purpose TO keep the bill con-
tinuously before the Senate to the exclu-
sion Of all other legislative business. until
II is finally disposed Of and in this, 1 shall
expect the cooperation OF both sides of the
chamber. In the discussion OF the bill.
the members of the majority of the COM
mittee will content themselves with such
brief explanations as may be found neces-
sary for the various paragraphs as they
are reached.
believe that IL a thorough revision of our
revnue laws, such as is contemplated by
the House bill IS necessary, Il should be
carried out in a conservative spirit, ana
thar such a moderate and reasonable
measure should be adopted as will insure
a much greater degree Of permanence to
our tariff legislation.
ductive Of long periods OF uncertainty and
arrested development. The radical change
in policy in 1854 proved disastrous TO the
business interests OF the country
1T was, I believe, thoroughly under
stood throughout the country during the
last political campaign that If the re-
publican party should be again entrusted
with power, no extreme tariff legislation
would follow II was believed that in
the changed conditions of the country
a return TO the duties imposed by the act
Of 1890 would not be necessary, even
from a protective standpoint. II was with
these facts constantly IN view that the
majority Of the finance committee pre-
pared the amendments which they have
sumitted for your consideration.
industrial conditions IN this country,
with veIy few exceptions. do not demand
q return 10 the rates imposed by the
act OF 1890. The bitter contest which Is
going on among the leading nations OF the
world for Industrial supremacy has
brought about improvements In methods
and economies IN production 10 an ex-
tent which was not thought possible "A
few years ago These conditions must be
taken into account In considering the rates
10 be imposed.
"Without relinquishing ono particle OF
- sU....
we feel that we have a right to ask that
the cause shall not be burdcned by the
Imposition OF duties which are unnece8-
sary and excessive"
After giving In detail the House estl-
mates OF revenue, Mr.. Aldrlch proceeded:
1T will be apparent, from critical cx-
animation OF the provisions OF the House
bin that the estimate OF 10000 900 in-
crease OF revenue II the bin should be-
come q law by July !. was excessive"
Mr.. Aldrlch then presented an array Of
figures, showing the total Senate estimate
for the hacol year 1895 OF tiGs. G7i 900. or an |
estimated excess OF receipts over cxpend- |
lures FOR that year or 2,725,02s. The |