Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-21
Senator Mason Makes Quite a Breezy
7 Speech.
METHOD R BUSINESS ATTACKED
Resolution for Goture Referred to
the essCommittee.
BRIEF HOUSE SESSION

the maturing of the tariff bill was indi-
Gated by the deluge OF petitions relating tc
tariff rates presented to the Senate today
Mr.. Spoorer CWis) sent bundle contain
ing several hundred petitions urging a re-
enactment Of the Mckinley rates on lum-
Der. .''-- 81"
Mr. Mantle (Mont.) presented a telegraph
ic memorial from the Montana Stock Grow
ers' Association asking an amendment to
the tariff bill SO that adequate protection
would be given to the hide industry.
Among the other petitions was one from
leading commercial houses in San Francisco
opposing the abrogation OF the Hawaiian
treaty of reciprocity.
MIR Morgan (Aia) reported favorably
from the committee on foreign relations an
amendment to the sundry civil bill pro-
posing an appropriation of $4,000 to i'm
prove Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Islands.
A resolution by Mr.. Hawley Comm was
agreed to- duly acknowledging the invita-
ton of Mayor Strong of New YORK 10 par
ard providing committee of fifteen sena-
tors, to be appointed by the Vice President,
tc represent the Senate.
McCuilcm's resolution, Introduced yeSter-
day, calling on the Secretary of the Treas
TRY for information relative to internal
revenue taxes on distilled spirits was
agreed to.
Mr. Mnson's Breezy Speech.
This cleared the way for an unexpected
and very breezy speech from the new SEN
ator from Illinois, Mr.. Mason, which arous-
ed two outbursts from the galleries. 1t
occurred on the resolution Of Mr.. Mason,
introduced yesterday. directing the COM
mittee on rules to report a rule providing
for the closing of debate, and for the pre-
v:ous question. 1t was Mr.. Masons maid
en- speech i'll the Senate, and he was fol
lowed with great interest. He said he de-
sired to have the resolution go to the COM
mittee on rules, but he gave notice that I'M
less some report was forthcoming at an
early day, he would move to have the COM
.mittee discharged, SO that the resolution
could be brought before the Senate. 1t was
agreed on all hands, proceeded the senator,
with a vein of sarcasm, that the United
States Senate is a great body. That was
the view particularly Of those within the
body and on the pay roll. But every one
knew. also. that 1t was the only Legislative
body In existence incapable of doing bust
Less. Mr. Mason said he hoped he would bc
forgiven for these reflections, for he was
still in the Kindergarten class" and he
recognized that he was thrashing over old
straw. But he proposed to keep thrashing
over this old straw during his next six
years in the Senate,
Mr.. Mason referred to the approac hing
tariff debate. The bill would be before the
Senate soon. -. 1t remedied an act which
promised tariff for revenue and gave
"tariff for aedcency." It was now pro
posed to give protection to American in-
dustries and to the American laborng man.
And yet the business interests were trem-
Fling on the verge of "despondency and
democracy" because they knew the fate of
the bill depends not on the majority but or
the minority. Every one knows he de-
clared, while We profess to be govern
ment by the. people, when we reach the
in he
rule of the minority.
Mr. Mason glanced around he chamber
and said he observed the smile on the faces
OF some Of his colleagues. They all liked
power and as soon as a man entered these
Senate doors his energies were directed to
retaining power in the old way.
Il want to deliver MESA ge from the
people before this hope OF power possesses
me- exclaimed the senator and the gal
leries gave response by hearty applause
Paralysis of Senate business.
Mr.. Mason spoke of the paralysis of BUSH
ness in the Senate on all great questions
Here at the close of the nineteenth century
the great question was presented whether
international differences were to be settled
by arbitration by the methods of Fitz-
simmons and Corbett.
The Senate had listened to speeches but
in this, in al other questions there was
no action The senator from Alabama
(Morgan) had presented resolution as to
Cuba, involving the great Cuban question
handed down to us by Grover H." But
where was that resolution? 1t was impos-
sible to tear down the golden god of the
Senate roles in order to act on Cuba The
senator asserted that there was a major
ity OF insurgents In this body-a majority
was really 10 act, but was held back by
the minority in control.
1t was time to do away with these bar
nacle rules.
claimed the senator, vigorously, but |
would like to put her in dry dock long
enough TO have her bottom scraped'
There was another round Of applause as
Mr.. Mason concluded.
MIR. HOar's Reply
Mr.. Hoar (Mass.), one of the veterans of
the Senate, replied briefly to Mr. Mason.
He pointed out that little could be expect
ed from the committee on rules, as several
of the members were engaged on the tariff
bill and other work. He was in accord
with much that the Illinois senator had
said as to the need of action. but he diff
fered from him on some of the Criticisms
against the Senate.
He reminded the senator that it was I'M
derstood the tariff bill had not even been
read by the body which sent it to the Sem
ate, SO that ii must be discussed here If it
was 10 be discussed at all. He referred
also to that other legislative body, which
would not act on measures proposed by the
Senate, and which adjourned for three
days in order to permit members to pre-
pare attacks on the Senate for not doing
business.
Mr. Mason referred to the fact that the
Speaker of the legislative body referred to
was a distinguished New England neigh
Dor Of the senator from Massachusetts.
He caused some amusement by ironically
referring to Mr.. Hoar as one of the new
members of the Senate. who might need
assistance in devistng plan for changing
the rules. He accepted the suggestion.
however, and withdrew his motion to refer
the resolutio4e!
Sent totalle mules COMMITTEES.
Mr.. German (Md.) promptly moved to re-
fer the resolution 10 the rules committee.
Mr.. Masonrfprotested, saying this COM
mittee on rules w4H recognized as the 'all
together lovely Graveyard to which are
committed the bodies of deceased meas
ures."
The roll was IS called on Mr. Germans mo-
ton to refer, anP 1t prevailed-s2-24as
follows: mr -
Yeas-Allen. 1Baeon.. Baker, Bate, Berry.
Butler, ChiltsR, 5Ceekrell. Faulkner, Cor.
Heitfeld. jcn Rrkansas f LInds aaW Ny,
Emery. Mcmillan, qMorgan, Mitchell. Muir
ply, Pasco. Rettfgfew. Pettus, Quay, Raw