Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-15
FIRST TARIFF TEST.
PRELIMINARY SKIRMISH IN THE
SENATE YESTERDAY.
BARE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.
VOTE WAS ON A MOTION TO REFER
RESOLUTION BY VEST.
Resulted In Republican Victory, "a to
23-vest Resolution Was a Crit
icism of Secretary Cages
Order-Indian Bill I'm
der Consideration.
BARE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

Washington, April 1.-THE first skirmish
on the tariff question occurred In the SEN
ate to-day. 1t was followed by vote
which served as test of strength of the
various elements of the senate. The vote
occurred on a motion by Mr.. Morrill,, Re-
publican, of Vermont, chairman of the
committee on finance, to refer resolution
by Mr.. Vest, one of the Democratic men,
bers of that committee. This made the
issue between representatives of the two
leading elements in the senate. Aside from
this the resolution was in the nature of a
criticism of Secretary Gage and declared
illegal his recent order relative to goods
imported after April l. when, according to
the retroactive clause of the pending Ding
ley bill, the new tariff rates are to apply.
Mr.. Morrills motion prevailed by the close
vote of "a to %. The detailed vote was as
follows:
Yeas-Baker. Burrows, Carter. Clark.
Culiom, Davis, Foraker. Frey, Gallagher,
Hawley. Hanna, Hansbrough. Hoar, Nc
MILAN. Mantle. Mason; Nelson. Plat. Of
Spooner Warren, Wellington-24.
Nays-Bate. Butler, Cannon, Chandler,
Chiffon, Cockrell. German: Gray, Harrls'
Martin Mills, Morgan. Pasco. Pettigrew;
Pettus. Rawlins, Turner, Turpie' vest ana
Walthall-23. ,.
the motion was that of Mr Chandler.
while the Democrats voted soiidly against
it. They had the assistance OF all the
ent. except Mr.. Mantle, silver Republican.
of Montana, who voted with the straight
Republicans: Mr. Cannon; silver N; = FepaD- pup
sas: Heitwold. Pettigrew and Turner. Pop
ulists, were recorded against the motion:
Messrs. Teller and Jones and Stewart, OF
senator KYLE, whose position is a ques-
tion of interest, and Senator Allen (Pops.)
also were absent.
Prior to a vote breezy discussion % 0c-
CURED on several phases of the tarin Inc
subject came up tlrst when Mr. Mantle
presented a memorial from wool growers,
urging ample protection to their industry.
that Secretary North, of the Wool Manu-
facturers' Association, was acting as sec
retary of the finance committee. Mr.. Nor
rll denied the statement. saying this gen.
tieman had been summoned as an expert
to give information on the wool question:
Mr.. Hoar responded to some OF the criti,
cisms of Mr.. Mantle he said ne hoped
to see the wool schedule. arranged to the
satisfaction of the wool growers. This
should be done without Hrraying the wool
growers against the wool manufacturers.
Their interests were identical. Certainly
no wool grower would desire to have
duty on manufactured wool which did not
afford adequate protection. This whole
question must be settled by the sound and
sober Judgment of both interests. Mr.. Hoar
referred 10 the fact that the wool growers
were not without their watchful represent
atives when the tariff was before congress
and he thought the argus eyes of Judge
Lawrence would see that this interest did
not suffer.
Mr.. Gray. Democrat, of Delaware, said
he desired to call public attention to the
remarkable proposition coming from the
other side of the chamber. Senators had
made clear that there was a compact, well
managed organization for the purpose of
raising the taxes to the highest point on
their respective lines of goods. Both of
these industries We're represented, accord
ing to the statements made. but the great
body of American people, who ware con-
sumers CT these taxed goods, were not
represented here.
Mr.. Morrill, succeeded in cutting off the
debate by calling for the regular order,
but it soon broke out again on NJ. Vests
resolution. directed against the secretary
of the treasury.
Mr. Vest declared that the retroactive
clause of the pending tariff bill was lille
gal and beyond the power of congress. He
characterized Secretary Cages recent or
and d move to intimidate the importers of
foreign goods. Mr.. Morrills motion TO
refer the resolution to the finance commit
tee brought the question to an issue. with
bama, endeavored to have n time fixed for
the final vote on his Cuban resolution. Mr..
Hoar objected and Mr.. Morgan gave no.
tice that the resolution would be pressed
until n final vote was reached.
The Indian appropriation bill was then
taken up. 1t afforded Mr.. German. of
Maryland an opportunity to speak of the
disorganiZed condition of the senate. The
president had stated in his inaugural ad-
dress that the condition of the country re-
quired the strictest governmental economy.
And yet ii was proposed TO pass appropria-
ton bills aggregating more than S13. coo 600
without the consideration of duly organ
lied committee of the senate. Mr.. German
said that careful consideration OF these
bills might lead to their reduction by $40
000.0C0. Appropriations We're pilng up. in
creasing and doubling the last twelve
years. until the stuperdous figure of
billion dollars for single congress had
been reached. 1t was time to call halt
in these vast expenditures. There should
be limitation of expenditures on the navy
and on Notifications, now that an era Of
peace appeared to be at hand. 1t was time
too, to limit the expenditures on rivers and
harbors. Mr.. German said the Democrats
could do no more than call the attention Of
senators on the other side to the urgent
need of retrenchment. The senate should
enter upon thorough and complete consid-
GRAFTON Of those appropriation bills so that
no question of extravaganza could bs