The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-22
FREE COTTON BAGGING.
THE SENATE STRIKES 1T FROM
THE DUTIABLE LIST.

Silver Republicans and FOPultsts-The
Senate also Replaces Floor Mating on
the Free List-Two Straight Republicans
Support this Proposition-The Senate
Reaches the Wool Schedule.
Washington, June 19.-Ia the senate
today the fax schedule of the tariff
bill was taken up with little delay, the
pending question being on Senator AL
Iison's motion to increase the rate on
thread, twine, etc, made of flax, hemp
or ramie.
Senator Vest, Of Missouri, and Sena-
tor Jones, Of Arkansas, contested the
proposed change. arguing that the
rates were excessive.
Senator Allson's amendment was
agreed to-29 to 10, Senator McEnery
voting with the republicans.
Senator Allison moved to increase the
rates on yarns, making the rate cents
instead of cents a pound on single
yarns in the gray, not finer than eight
lea.
Senator Gray called for an explana-
tion Of the increase. He said it would
not do for the republicans to sit still
without saying WOrC, SIMPLY because
they had the necessary majority.
Senator Sewau said the increase had
been decided upon to compensate for
the increase in the rate or the raw
material demanded by the western
people"
VERY we'll" said Senator Gray, that
is more light than we have heretofore
had. Go on
That's enough" interjected two or
three republican senators.
In conclusion, Senator Gray made an
argument for free raw material. the
necessity of which, he said, was illus
trated by the action of the finance COM
mittee in this case of linen thread.
The amendments were agreed to
without division.
The committee amendments to tax gill
netting were agreed to.
Senator Vest took exception to the in
crease on floor mattings, saying the
duties as proposed would range from 40
per cent. to 105, whereas they had here
tOfOre been free. He moved to strike
out the entire section.
Senator PettigreW said the commit
tee amendments were evidently aimed
at the Japanese mating which could
not be produced here. The purpose
therefore, evidently was to force the
patronage of the American lnOleum
trust for the manufacture of an infe-
riOr and different article. This was
not an infant industry. The rates were
prOhibitive and the entire article af-
fected was one in which the poorer
classes We're especially interested. He
supported Senator Vests amendment,
as did Senators Jones, of Arkansas, and
White, Of California.
On roll call, the senate accepted
Senator Vests amendment striking out
paragraph 800, in regard to floor mat
tings the vote standing 25 to p. Sen
ators Carter and HansbrOugh, straight
republicans; Mantle, Pettigrew and Tel
Ter, silver republicans, voted with the
democrats on this motion.
The result created slight stir in the
chamber as it was the first substantial
triumph of the opposition to the tariff
bill The effect is to restore floor mat
tings manufactured from straw or
other vegetable substance to the free
list. These include the japanese, Chi
nese and Indian mattings.
An attempt was made to free oil cloth
as well, but was lost
The amendments to the paragraphs
on cuffs, collars and shirts were received
without opposition.
Paragraphs 341 QUITE grain bags and
burlaps) and 342 Dragging for cotton,
gunny cloth, etc. were considered to-
gether and aroused some discussion
which was based on the motion by Sen
ator Pettus to strike out.
Senator White cOntended that the
proposed duty on jute bags would cost
the farmers Of the Pacific coast $500, 900
per annuIn. He asserted that the duty
on wheat was a delusiOn and that
in putting these bags on the free list,
an opportunity was afforded to do the
farmer a substantial service.
Of limo
said the additional cost to the southern
states on guanO on account Of this duty
would be $35, 900 a year.
Senator Pcttus sought to bring the
debate back to the question of bags,
urging the senate to give this modi-
cum of Justice to the farmers.
The motion to strike out the two par
agraphs in regard to burlaps and cloth
for cotton bagging was carried 81 to 2S.
The effect of the .rte is to leave these
articles on the free list. The silver re-
putlicans and populist who were pres
ent all voted with the democrats, but
no straight republicans did so.
Going back. Senator Jones. Of Ar
kansas, moved to strike out paragraph
500 (plan woven fabrics Of single jute
yarns). This motion also prevailed
90 to 2S.
The rate on handkerchiefs was fixed
at 40 per cent. ad valOrem instead Of 55.
The hemp schedule was agreed to,
which brought the senate TO the wool
scedule and rather than attack this so
late in the day, the senate held short
executive session and then adjourned.
New West Point Cadets.