The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-09
Bacon Springs Surprise on
the Senate.
DECISIVE VOTE OF AZ TO l9
TWENTY PER CENT. AID NALO-
REM ON WHITE STAPLE.
WARNING NOTES FROM VEST
Jones Also Joinsin Repudiating Bacon's
Position as Democratic Doctrine.
The Republicans Welcomed
the Chance Offered,

the Chance Offered.
Washington, d. c., June S.-By the de-
cisive vote of ~ to 10, the Senate to-day
adopted an amendment to the Tariff bill
placing raw cotton, the great product OF
the South, on the dutiable list at 20 per
cent ad yalorem. 1t is the first time in
the history of tariff legislation that a duty
on cotton has been Incorporated in bill.
The amendment was proposed by Mr.. Ba-
con Dem. Ga.), on his individual respon-
sibility and without the approval of the
Finance committee, which thus far has
been requisite to the success of every
amendment except a minor one which
went through by default.
The amendment led to a spirited de-
bate, Democratic Senators disclosing a
wide difference of views and at times ex-
changing sharp personal criticisms. On
the final vote seven Democrats, Bacon,
and Clay, of Georgia; McEnery, of Louis
lana; McLaurin and Tillman, of South
Carolina, and Rawlins, of Utah, voted
with the Republicans for the Bacon
amendment while the negative vote was
solidly Democratic with one exception,
kyle, Populist. The debate on cotton
took up the most of the day and but lit
tie progress was made on the bill. Early
in the day the sugar schedule was passed
over and the agricultural schedule taken
up. Less than two pages We're disposed
of during the day. The para graph on
cattle went over but the balance of the
agricultural schedule up to and including
para graph 22S was agreed to as repor-
ted, all amendments except that of Mr..
Bacon's being rejected.
When the tariff bill was taken up, at
1920 .. m, Mr.. Allison, Iowa, requested
that the Sugar schedule be passed, stating
that it would be considered tomorrow.
The agricultural schedule being next in
order, a number of amendments were Of
fered by Democratic Senators, but all
were rejected until Mr.. Bacon offered his
amendment, placing duty of 20 per cent
ad yalorem ON cotton. Mr.. Bacon said
the omission of this article from the du-
table list was violation Of the principle
of the Democratic platform that tariff
taxation should be so imposed as to dis
criminate against no section. The tariff
as a whole, fell like dead weight ON the
producer of cotton, raising the price of all
articles essential to his use, and yet on his
article of production, raw cotton, he was
cleft in the lurch."
Last year the statistics showed that co.
100000 pounds of cotton were imported
into the United States, valued at S6,0OO,-
600. The arrivals of foreign cotton were
increasing constantly. Mr.. Bacon said
he addressed himself particularly to his
Democratic associates.
Why should cotton be excluded from
the benefits of revenue duty if all other
agricultural products were to have the
benefit of such duties. Under the rule of
consistency, there should be unanimous
vote favoring the duty on cotton.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut, who was in
charge of the bill pending Mr.. Allison's
absence. indicated readiness for a vote
favorable to the amendment and Mr..
Chandler (Rep n. H.), added: "We are
just dying to support the Senator'S amend
ment."
Mr.. Chiffon, Dem. Tex. said the
amendment would not raise the price of
cotton. According to the Georgia Senator
CBacon) there would be no diminution of
the importation of Egyptian cotton so
that the only effect would be to give ad-
ditional revenue on cotton without taking
away the competition from foreign cot
ton.
Mr.. Chiffon said it was impossible to
increase the price of cotton by tariff so
long as it was necessary to find market
for the surplus Of American cotton as was
now the case, in Liverpool or in any other
foreign market. 1t was with cotton as
with wheat-the foreign price would fix
the domestic price. Hence the only re-
snlt would be to increase the price ON cot
ton goods.
Mr.. Vest said the amendment would be
adopted, as it was in the line of lncreas-
ed rates of duty and would receive Re
publican support for that reason and be-
cause it was calculated to cause d1ssen-
sion in the Democratic party. lie claim
ed that the addition of the ~ per cent
provided would simply add that amount
to the finished product He took issue
with Mr. Bacon ON the contention that
the amendmen was in line viii the plat
form adopted at Chicago. If he said
Il had thought the platform meant what
the Senator from Georgia says it does
| would not have touched it any more
than / would have touched a rattle
snake, knowing there was no whiskey
within hundred miles God help us il
the new evangel is to prevail"
He expressed surprise at Mr.. Bacon
statement that the cotton manufactur.
ers need notice it.
In conclusion, Mr.. Vest said he was
proud that heretofore cotton was ad
mitted free of duty as showing the
Democratic consistency in supporting
free raw materials. Hence his disap
pointment that this amendment should