The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-22
SENATE TAKES Up TARIFF.
TEST VOTE GAVE ONE MAJORITY
FOR THE REPUBLICAN
FORCES.
Mr.. GORAAN TALKS REIRENCHMENT
Thinks Pending Appropriation Bills
Could he Greatly Reduced-Brief
Session Of the HOuse-Ad-
journed TIL Saturday.

Washington, April 1.-THE first Skin
mish on the tariff question occurred in the
senate today. 1t was followed by a vote
which served as test of strength of the
various elements of the senate. The vote
occurred on a motion by Mr.. Morrill, rep
of Vermont, chairman of the committee
on finance, to refer resolution by Mr.
Vest, one of the democratic members OF
the committee. This made the issue be-
tween the representatives of the two lead
ing elements in the senate. Aside from
this the resolution was in the nature of
criticism of Secretary Gage, and de-
clarcd illegal his recent order relative to
goods imported after April /, when. ac-
cording to the retroactive clause of the
pending Dingley bill, the new tariff rates
are to apply.
Mr.. Morrill's motion prevailed by the
close vote of "A to %. The detailed vote
was as follows:
Yeas-Baker, Burrows. Carter, Clark,
Cullom, Davis, Foraker, Frye, Gallinger,
Hawley, Hanna, Hansbrough, HOar, Nc
MILAN, Mantle. Mason, Nelson. Plat
of New York, Pritchard, Proctor. Quay,
Spooner, Warren, Wellington-24.
Nays-Bate, Butler, Cannon, Chandler,
Chiffon, Cockrell, German, Gray, Harris
of Kansas Heitfeldt, Lindsay, McEnery,
Martin, Mills, Morgan, Pasco, Pettigrew,
Pettus, Rawlins, Turner. Turpie. Vest,
Walthall-23.
Senator Kyle, whose position is Il ques-
ton of interest, and Senator Allen (pop)
were absent The affirmative vote was
given by republicans, including one sill
yer republican, Mr.. Mantle of Montana.
The negative vote was made up of dem
ocrats, populists and two silver republi-
cans, Pettigrew of South Dakota and
Cannon of Utah.
Prior to the vote breezy discussion
occurred on several phases of the tariff.
The subject came up first when Mr.. Man
tie presented Il memorial from the wool
growers urging ample protection TO their
industries, he referring in this connection
to reports that Secretary North of the
Wool Manufacturers association was
acting as secretary of the finance commit
tee. Mr. Morrill, denied the statement,
saying he had been summoned as an ex-
pert TO give information on the wool ques-
ton. Mr.. Hoar responded to some of the
criticisms of Mr.. Mantle. He said he
hoped to see the wool schedule arranged
to the satisfaction of the wool growers.
This should be done without arraying
the wool growers against the wool manu-
facturers. Their interests were identical.
Certainly no wool grower would desire TO
have Il duty on manufactured wool which
did not afford adequate protection. This
whole question must be settled by the
sound and serious judgment of both in
terests. Mr.. Hoar referred to the fact
Al, Al, m
their watchful representatives when the
tariff bill was before congress and he
thought the argus eyes of Judge Law
renee would see that this interest did not
suffer.
Mr.. Gray (dcm.) of Delaware said he
desired to call public attention to the re-
markable proposition coming from the
other side of the chamber. Senators had
made clear that there was compact,
well-managcd organization for the pur-
pose of realizing the taxes to the highest
point on their respective lines OF goods.
Both of these industries were represented,
according to the statements made, but
the great body of the American people,
the consumers of these taxed goods, were
not represented here.
Mr.. Morrill, succeeded in cutting the de-
bate by calling for the regular order. but
it soon broke out again on Mr.. Vests res
oution directed against the secretary OF
the treasury. Mr.. Vest declared the retro,
active clause of the pending tariff bill
was illegal and beyond the power of CON
gress. lie characterized Secretary Cages
recent order as notification of the eX-
listing law, n move to intimidate the inn
porters of foreign goods. MIR. MorrilIs
motion to refer the resolution to the
finance committee brought the question to
an issue with the result stated. Mr.. Nor
gan of Alabama endeavOred to have
time fixed for the final vote on his Gu
ban resolution. Mr.. HOar objected and
Mr.. Morgan gave notice that the reso--
luton would be pressed daily till final
vote was reached.
The Indian appropriation bill was then
taken IN. 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
required the strictest economy. And yet
it was proposed to pass Appropriation bills
aggregating more than $50, 100000 with
out the consideration of duly organized
committee of the senate. MIR. German
said that careful consideration of these
bills might result in their reduction by
$10,0O0,OO0. Appropriations We're ping
IN, increasing and doubling within the
last twelve years, until the stupendous
figure of billion dollars for single con-
gress had been reached. 1t was time to
call halt in this vast expenditure. 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 to limit the expenditures on
river and harbors. Mr.. German said the
democrats could do no more than call the
attention of senators on the other side to
urgency of retrenchment. The senate
should enter upon a thorough and COM
pete consideration of those appropriation
bills so that no question of extravaganza
could be raised
The formal consideration of the Indian
bill was then proceeded with. The conf
mittee amendment opening the Uncom-
pahgre Indian reservation to public entry
led to a long contest. A point of order
was made against it by Mr.. Jones of Ar
kansas, and pending the decision the SEN
ate. ut p. M. went into executive ses-
sion, and soon after adjourned.
House Proceedings.
Washington. April 1.-THE house was
-. b,,t mir tpln