The herald., 1897-07-21
Thought by Senator's to
Be Funny
He WANTS FREE COTTON TIES
AND WILL FILLIBUSTER TO
THAT END
Work in the Senate on the Conference
Report on the Tariff Bill-Slow
Progress Made
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, July 20.-The tarise
conference report was reported to the
senate today but little progress was
made on 1t beyond the formal reading
of about two-thirds of it. There was no
indication of when the final vote would
be reached. During the day Tillman
Democrat, of South Carolina, openly
threatened a filibuster until next De-
cember if cotton bagging and cotton ties
are not restored to the free list, but the
threat is regarded as somewhat frac-
tious. The sugar amendment occa-
stoned long debate during which ALI
son stated that the conference rates
were lower than those Of the senate and
largely concession to the house.. SEN
ators Vest, Jones, Berry and White
questioned this statement, urging that
the sugar trust secured larger benefits
from the conference schedule than from
any previously offered. The lumber
amendment also brought out animated
criticism from Senators Teller and Pet
tigrew. Early in the day the senate
passed a joint resolution authorizing
and requesting the president to take all
necessary steps for the release of the
Competitor prisoners from prison at
Havana.
Immediately after prayer a message
from the House announced the agree
ment of that body to the conference re-
port. Considerable routine business was
disposed of before the tariff report was
called up.
The Vice-Pre esident announced in re-
sponse to an inquiry by Senator Allen Of
Nebraska that the pending Union Pacific
resolution was unfinished business and
would come up at pm, unless dis
placed.
This drew from Senator Morgan =
statement that it was intended to dis
cuss the tariff report in all its political,
financial and historical bearings. Aside
from this 1t was proposed to secure con-
sideration for the Union Pacific regolu-
tion, either by itself or during the tariff
debate, if this became essential. 1t was
not orderly practice but, said Morgan.
when men were tied up and lashed over
the back they were not disposed to stand
on the niceties of the procedure. 1t was
more important, he said, to save fifty
millions by the Union Pacific resolution
than pass the tariff bill.
Senator Allison suggested that there
was no disposition to cut Off all reason
able consideration Of the report. 1t was
too important, however, to give way to
other questions which might be brought
forward
The conference report was then read
in detail.
When the first clause was read Sena-
tor Jones of Arkansas made an earnest
protest against proceeding on the tech-
nical report without an intelligent ex-
planation Of its meaning. There had been
no opportunity for the Democratic con-
ferees to consider it in committee. It
had been rushed through the House in q
single day, without time for prepara-
tion to discuss it there. 1t was due to
the American people, he declared, that
some explanation be given.
During the reading of the report there
were frequent inquiries by Jones and
brief explanati tions from Allison, but these
did not cause material delay. Seven
pages of the printed report, covering
SO pages of the bill, were disposed of in
the first halfhour.
When the item of window glass was
reached Jones read a telegram just re-
ceived from leading window glass DEAL
ers in New York, saying the restoration
of the Mckinley rate would place duty
equivalent to 140 per cent on this article,
which would be prohibitory and would
stop all revenue from this source.
The lumber amendments led to an AMI
mated debate. Teller and Vest contended
that the So rate on white pine and the
clause against Canadian logs
in effect permitted a double tax. Teller
declared that the whole thing was con-
ceived in the interests of few mill men
in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin,
by which they would be able to raise the
price of pine SO or 81 per 1000 feet
The debate was fruitless of result and
the reading of the bill proceeded until the
of the sugar schedule were
reached.
Vest said this was the storm center ol
the bill, and he asked Allison if he ap-
proved the statement made by T. e house
conferees that the house differental
and the general features of the house
schedule had been preserved.
Allison responded with an explana-
tory statement which was interrupted
by frequent questions. He said the gen
eral effect of the amendment vas as
stated by the house conferees. The SEN
ate had provided 1.95 on refined sugars
where the house gave 1875, making the
senate differential ope-fifth instead Of
The house provision was
now restored and that differential re-
tanned. Berry interrupted to ask how
much less the sugar trust got from the
conference report than they did from
the senate amendment
Allison answered that under tho
as modified. taking the point
Of 100. the differential was 121z cents
Taking 96 degree sugar, the sugars
above No. 16, Dutch standard refined.
would receive 1.S1 cents per 100 pounds
more than they would have received un- /.
Ter the house schedule. and somethiz<
less than under the senate schedule,
~ d 49,. = =