The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-07-08
WORK OF CONGRESS.
THE WEEKS DOINGS IN SENATE
AND HOUSE.
A Comprehensive Digest OF the Fro
ceedings In the Legislative Cham
befs at Washington-M Matters that
Concern the People.
Lawmakers at Labor.


An abrupt and startling halt in the tar
iff debate occurred in the Senate at 2:30
o'clock Saturday, when, in the midst of
a passionate speech. Senator Pettigrew,
silver Republican of South Dakota, was
stricken with paralysis of the vocal cord,
which brought his vehement speech to a
close with a sentence half uttered. The
Senator wis not physically incapacitated,
except in the sudden loss of the power of
speech. On motion of Mr.. Platt of Con-
necticut of the Finance Committee fuller's
earth, wrought or manufactured, was add
ed to paragraph 3S at So a ton. This pre-
cipitated a lively controversy between
MIR. Platt and Mr.. Pettigrew (silver Re
publican) of South Dakota, which came
TO an impressive climax when Mr.. Petit
grew was overcome in the midst of a
vehement speech. The debate proceed
ed, but no further progress on the tariff
bill was made, and the awe-like feeling
occasioned by this incident led to an ad-
journment at o'clock.
The Senate made good progress ON the
tariff bill Monday, disposing of the para
graphs relating to hides, which have been
the source of much controversy. AS final
ly agreed on the duty on hides is placed at
20 per cent. nd valorem in place of ~
cents per pound, as originally reported by
the Finance Committee The discussion
drifted into general debate on trusts,
and from that back to the sugar trust.
Mr.. Smith of New Jersey spoke against
the duty on hides, while Mr.. Allen of
Nebraska supported the duty. The new
paragraph was agreed to, $50, one
Democrat, Rawlins of Utah, and several
Populists and silver Republicans voting
with the Republicans in the affirmative.
Among other paragraphs disposed of were
all those relating to gloves, n substitute
for the paragraph on live animals, iron
ore and stained glass windows. The res
olution authorizing the President to in
vite foreign governments to participate
in the Mississippi exposition at Om-
aha was agreed to soon after the Senate
opened.
Several hundred pension bills were re-
ported to the Senate Tuesday as the re-
suit of the first meeting of the Pension
Committee since the present Congress
assembled. Three general pension bills
were included, two of them amending the
law of 1890, and another referring to
proof in pension cases. The tariff bill
was then taken up, and the paragraph
1S9 relating to watch movements, clocks,
ETC., perfected by striking out the clauses
on watches and on jewels for making
watches and confning the paragraph to
those articles not made of china or pOr-
celains. Pineapples were changed to Z
cents per cubic foot in barrels and pack
ages and 81 per thousand in bulk. The
committee rates on lead ore az cents a
pound were agreed to, 80 to %. Mess rs.
Heitfeld, Mantle and Teller voted with
the Republicans in the affirmative and
Mr.. Allen with the Democrats in the
negative.
As result of the rapid work on the
tariff DILL Wednesday the close of the long
debate in the Senate and the final vote
on the bill is felt to be very near at hand.
Two of the most important provisions
those relating to the Hawaiian treaty
of reciprocity and the duty on cOal-were
perfected. while another source Of much
conflict, the reciprocity section, was ma
tured by the Finance Committee and pre-
sented to the Senate Aside from these
larger items great many minor ones
which have caused more or less conflict
were disposed of. The Hawaiian provis
ion of the House bill was restored after
brief debate and without the fsrmality
of vote. This has the effect of leav-
ing the Hawaiian treaty of reciprocity in
full force and effect. During the day Mr..
Turpie Of Indiana spoke in support of the
amendment for per cent. tax on inher-
itances. His speech was notable for the
picturesque metaphors and the virulence
of his denunciation of the pending bill.
The Finance Committee suffered sew
eral unexpected reverses during the prog
ress of the tariff bill Thursday, being de-
feated on three important votes. Cotton
bagging was placed on the free list, 30 to
%, and cotton ties also, by vote OF ~
to %. The duty on white pine lumber
wss reduced from 50 to 81 per thousand.
80 to 81. The bill is now completed, with
the exception of the reciprocity section
and some comparatively minor para
graphs. Much prog. ess was made in
clearing up detached paragraphs hereto
fore passed over. On.y three of these
coal tar, potash and tea-remain. The
House held a brief session, at which moth
ing was accomplished