The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-15
ccNl1FS TARIFF STRUGGLE.
VEST PRECIPITATEs THE
Mn skIRMISH OF THE FIGHT.

relative to the Retroactive
,I.n.e of the Bill Now Pending.
.,aI other Phases of the Bin
Fled on the Strength OF the
.antatiOn of a Memorial From
,,,ol Growers.
,,,,.,ington, April 1.-THE first skir-
son the tariff question occurred in the
i,-,- to-day. It was followed by vote
- served as a test of the strength of
ysrious elements of the Senate. The
occurred on a motion by Mr.. Morrill,
of Vermont, chairman of the COM
.5.oa on finance, to refer a resolution
,fr Vest. one of the democratic men,
hrs of that committee. This made the is
between the representatives of the
-, loading elements in the Senate. Aside
Fam this the resolution was in the nature
=, criticism of Secretary Gage, and de-
o,rsd illegal his recent order relative to
Goods imported after April l. when, ac-
oor5inc to the retroactive clause of the
nao5ing Dingley bill, the new tariff rates
ara n amply. Mr.. MorriHs motion pre-
vailed by the close vote of "a to 2S
Prior to the vote a brief discussion oc-
o,rrsd on several phases of the tariff
The subject came up first when Mr.. Man
+Ia presented memorial from wool grow
ers urging ample protection to their in
dustrv. He referred in this connection to
reports that Secretary North of the Wool
Manufacturers Association was acting
as secretary of the finance committee.
inc his gentleman had been summoned
as an expert to give information on the
wool question. Messrs. Hoar of Massa-.
chusetts HaWley of Connecticut, and
GRAY of Delaware, participated in the de-
bate.
Mr.. Morrill, succeeded in cutting off the
debate by calling for the regular order
He expressed the hope that there would
he no prema ture debate of tariff bill not
before the Senate, adding that he expect
ed a bill would be reported at any early
day.
The debate soon came up again on the
resolution of Mr.. Vest, declaring Illegal
the recent order of the secretary of the
treasury to customs officers relative to
goods imported after April L.
Mr.. Vest declared that the duty of the
secretary was to execute the existing law
And yet the order clearly anticipated the
retroactive clause of the tariff bill pend
ing in congress. In effect, the order nul
lifted the existing law. He said that no
intelligent lawyer would declare the re-
troactive clause of the Dingley bill to be
a lawful exercise of authority by congress.
1t was an act of intimidation against inn
porters.
Mr. Morrill, again expressed regret that
the tariff bill was being discussed before
II had been perfected and presented to the
Senate. Some of these provisions now
under discussion might be changed before
reaching the Senate.
Mr. Vest answered that he had not pre-
ciptated a tariff debate. II was the Sec
rotary of the treasury who precipitated
the question by his illegal order. Must the
Senate remain dumb, asked Mr.. Vest,
while the secretary drew his sword and
directed it against American citizens?" 1t
was an unjustitiahle act against the I'M
p0rers, Mr.. Vest asserted.
Mr. Morrill, moved to refer the resolution
to the finance committee. This precipi-
taed tariff vote. Great interest was
manifested in the vote and the roll call
was closely followed. The vote was as
follows:
Yeas-Messrs. Baker Burrows. Carter,
Clark, Cullom, Davis, Foraker, Frye, Gal
lnger Hawley, Hanna, Hansbrough,
Hoar, Mcmillan, Mantle, Mason, Nelson,
Platt of New York Pritchard, Proctor,
Quay Spooner, Warren and Wellington
~
Nays-Messrs. Bate, Butler, Cannon,
Chandler, Chiffon, Cockrell, German, Gray,
Harris of Kansas, Heitfeld, Lindsay, Nc
Emery, Martin, Mills. Morgan, Pasco, Pet
tgrew, Pettus, Rawlins, Turner, Turpie,
Vest and Walthall-23.
The only republican vote cast against the
motion was that of Mr.. Chandler while
the democrats voted solidly against 1t.
They had the assistance of all the silver
III -
cept Mr.. Mantle, silver republican Of Mon
tana, who voted with the straight repub-
Leans. Mr.. Cannon, silver republican, and
Messr Butler and Harris of Kansas; Heit-
field, Pettigrew and Turner, populists,
were recorded against the motion. Messrs.
Teller and Jones and Stewart of Nevada
were absent.
Senator Kyle, whose position is a cues
ton of interest, and Senator Allen, popu-
list, were also absent
Mr.. Morgan then moved to proceed with
the Cuban resolution. 1t had been ex-
pected that Mr. Vest would speak on the
resolution. but he stated that he pre-
ferred to see a vote taken. Thereupon Mr..
Morgan asked unanimous consent that the
vote be taken tomorrow.
Mr.. Hoar said this would be hardly fair,
after Mr.. Morgan had spoken for four
days, to ask for vote which would allow
only one day for speeches against the res
olution.
Mr.. Morgan was willing to defer the vote
until the next day, Friday, but Mr.. Hoar
said he could give no assent in the absence
of the senator from Maine (Mr. Hale).
Then / will move this resolution in OPP
position TO the bankruptcy BILL" said Mr..
Morgan.
Efforts to fix time for the vote we're
unavailing, and Mr. Morgan finally gave
notice that he would call up the resolu-
Ton daily until a vote was reached.
The Indian appropriation bill was then
taken up. il afforded Mr.. German of
Maryland an opportunity 20 speak of the
disorganized condition of the Senate. He
criticised the course Of those In charge
Of these measures in pressing excessive
appropriations when the Senate commit
tees were 80 disorganized that proper care
Tor economy could not be exercised.
The committee amendment opening the
umcompahgre Indian reservation TO pub
He entry led to a long contest A point
OF order was made against il by Mr.
Jones Of Arkansas and pending the decis-
ION the Senate a. o'clock went into exec.
utve session and soon after adjourned.