Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-24
RAW WOOL RATES AGREED TO.
SENATOR MILLS DECLARES TARIFF
CANNOT RAISE PRICES.
Interesting Discussion of w. j. Bry-
ans Attitude Toward the Tariff
Senator stewart on Presi-
dent McKinIey's silver
Record.

7 WOUIEW EUDUs-
ly to discussion of the effect of the tariff
rates in the price Of wool, and the speeches
were on technical lines in the main.
At one point Mr.. Hoar diverted the dis
cusSion by a reference to William j. Bry-
ans opposition TO the tariff. This brought
Senators Mantle and Allen and Stewart
to the defense of Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Teller
was drawn into the controversy, and in
few remarks warned his former Republican
associates that their hopes of prosperity
from this bill would be blasted.
Mr.. Quay made a strong effort to have
the house ad valorem rates on third class
wool adopted, but he was defeated-l9 to Al.
The committee rates were then agreed
to- viz. Four cents per pound on third
class wool valued at 10 cents or less per
pound, and cents per pound on third class
wool valued above 10 cents per pound. The
schedule was completed up to paragraph
364, relating to cloths. knit fabrics, etc.
Early in the day Mr.. Allen, Populist, of
Nebraska, rising TO question OF personal
privilege, made a sweeping denial OF public
charges that William J. Bryan had con-
| tributed $500 to the Populist cause, in or
der to effect fusion.
An eloquent tribute to the long and H.
lustrious reign of Queen Victoria was a
feature of the opening prayer before the
senate to-day by the acting chaplain. Rev.
Hugh johnson. I'VE thank Thee" he in
vOked, for the demonstrations Of joy, both
national and international, over her mai
esty's, Queen Victoria's, completion of her
long and illustrious reign of sixty years;
we thank Thee for her exemplary life and
personal qualities wife, queen. as
mother; that her court has been pure and
her throne without stain; we thank Thee
for all the achievements of the Anglo
Saxon race during this auspicious period
of the worlds history in all avenues of lit
erature, art, science; for the cordial rela-
tions between the two great nations. one
in language, literature, laws, civil and re-
ligiOus liberty. May they be bound to-
gether in perpetual bonds of peace"
When the tariff bill came up for con-
sideration Mr.. Mills of Texas. said It was
incomprehensible to him why wool men
demanded high duties in the face of ex-
perience that the price of wool could not
be raised by the tariff any more than the
price of cotton could be increased by a
duty. The price of wool had been falling
constantly for forty years. in spite of
tariff rates. He quoted statistics showing
that wool had fallen after the imposition
Of the Mckinley rates and had risen after
the Wilson provisions for free WOOL This
was proof incontestible, he declared, that
tariff duties could not affect the price of
wool.
At one point in Mr.. Mills remarks Mr..
speaking, the senator will not question that
the imposition of a duty has raised the
price to the wool grower?"
Il have never been able to discover IT,"
answered Mr.. Mills.
Mr.. Mantle asserted that this general
benefit TO the wool grower was incon-
testible, certainly as to the Montana grow
ers, and he believed it was so generally.
Mr.. Mills maintained that he was speak
ing from tables of prices which constituted
a record not to be impeached under the
rules of evidence by general opinions.
Mr.. Carter. of Montana said Ii was fact
beyond dispute that during the last year
the wool growers of Montana were receiv-
KinIey law they were receiving IA cents
And the difference between cents and
Il cents is the difference between destrUc-
tion and prosperity" declared Mr.. Carter
When Mr.. Mills quoted certain low rates |
In Montana woods under the Mckinley law,
Mr.. Carter responded that these were |
Wilson bill was anticipated, serving to |
send down the prices.
clared that II was time for a revolt against |
the demands Of the Wool Growers As |
''If those who oppose these high duties |
on wool are to be considered enemies" said |
he. they must take their position as |
resources to make their opposition felt"
This extra session of congress was called |
Tor the primary purpose of framing law |
famous, he asserted, that this revenue /
me asure could not pass until a toll was |
levied on the great mass of poor people
of the country, the wearers of clothing /
AMI users of blankets, in order to increase |
the profits of the wool growers
Mr.. Quay moved to disagree to the COM
mittee amendments to paragraph 3jT. The
effect Of Mr.. Quays motion would be to |
go back to the house rate Of 80 per cent ad
vaiorem.
Mr.. Hoar pointed out that there was not
a joTity in the senate favorable to that
doctrine of protection supported by the
Republican party. 1t became necessary, |
therefore. to secure the cooperation OF |
those who had supported a man for the |
pI esidency who, If elected. was pledged to
Mr.. Mantle replied that he had never
known that the silver candidate for the
presidency was pledged to veto a tariff
Mr.. Hoar said Mr.. Bryan's record in the
house of representatives would throw
some light on the subject.
HE was supported by nearly all the free |
traders in the country" added Mr.. Hoar, |
and II the party did not pledge him, he
pledged the party.
Mr.. Allen said the statement of Mr.. Hoar
as TO the silver candidate for the presi-
dency should not go upchallenged. There
was nothing in what Mr.. Bryan had said
Qualifying an assertion that he would have
vetoed tariff bill If il had been bill
Of confiscation, doubtless he would have
vetoed it.
Mr.. Hoar brought forward copies OF the
Record, showing Mr.. Bryans course on the
tarlT. lie hdQ voted IN the house 10 nut |
wool on the free list, he had carried out
In triumph Mr.. Wilson, who had denounced
protection robbery; he had himself de-
nounced protection as a robbery
81 have a good deal of respect for Mr.
Bryan" continued Mr.. Hoar. His charac- |
ter has impressed me very favorably and |
| have never Joined in criticisms upon him |
but If he would not veto a tariff bill after |
such utterances, l would not have much
respect for him.
Mr.. Stewart. of Nevada. thought those
of Mr.. Bryan were most Unfair |
Tor. said the senator. an examination of Mr. |
Mckinley's record would show him 10 have |
voted for the free and unlimited coinage of |
silver. MIR. Stewart stated that during the !
of the Bland-Allison bill Mr. |
had voted at every stage ''vith |
he most radical silver men," Even as late |
1t 1890. Mr.. Mckinley had made a speech al |
oledo denouncing Mr.. Cleveland for dis |
eliminating between the two metals
by saying very earnestly that 1T was no |
Use criticising MIR. Bryan, as he's going 10 |
De the next president"
The vote was then taken on Mr. Ouav's |
notion to table the committee amendments |
20 paragraph S57, and it was rejected-l9
Mr. Vest here interposed a motion 70
he point reached covering the parapraph
N raw wool. The motion was voted down.
9 to SO.
Mr.. McEnery. Democrat and Messrs |
Teller and Mantle voted with the Republic-
ms against the motion.
At $40 p. m. the senate held an executive
session and adjourned soon after.
Want Increased Gypsum Duties.