The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-01

Senate Proceedings.
Washington, June 25.-The resolution
of Mr.. Hale of Maine, relative to re
stricting the privileges of ex-senators Oh
the floor of the senate to those not inter
ested in legislation and claims, was re-
ferred without comment to the commit
tee on rules.
Consideration of the wool schedule was
resumed at paragraph $40, relating tC
abusson, administer, mouquette and
chenille carpets.
Mr.. Vest of Missouri moved to strike
out the specific rate. The vote, II to
"a was four short of quorum. There
was some delay in announcing the result
owing to the anxiety to secure quorum
Mr.. Vest insisted on speedy announce
ment rcmarking that the suffering
can senator's mustered u quorum. When
the want of quorum was announced
Mr.. Vest derisively said:
And 80 the country is just wallowine
and dying while the bill waits"
'"rhe senator Is out of Order" inter.
posed Mr.. Chandler, jocularly.
And so is the country" added Mr.
Gray Of Delaware.
A call of the senate brought fifty-twc
senators to the chamber, and Mr.. Vests
amendment was then rejected, 81 to 26
Paragraph 81, saxony, wilton and
tourney velvet carpets, was agreed tc
with an increase in the specific duty from
60 to G2 cents per yard, the ad valoren
being left at 40 per cent.
In paragraph BIZ, brussels carpet, fig
ured or plain, the specific duty was in
creased from 40 to AZ cents per square
yard, with 40 per cent ad vulorem in adj
dition.
Mr.. Vest criticised the rates, saying il
was the evident purpose to prohibit the
importation of cheap mattings and CHEAP
carpets. thus making it impossible for q
poor man to cover his floors except with
bigher-priced American carpets.
Mr.. Allison answered briefly that the
duties were imposed as Il compensation
for the increased duties on raw wool.
In paragraph 1913. velvet and tapestry
velvet carpets, the specific duty was in
creased from 40 to II cents per square
yard, with 40 per cent ad valorem in ad,
dition.
Mr.. Vest again moved to strike out
the specific rate.
This drew n brief, but emphatic, pro
test from Mr.. Tillman of South Caro-
lima. He disliked to differ with the dis
tinguished democratic leader, but" he
continued, at is perfectly clear we're
beaten on every one of these items
nnd-well, il is just waste of time.
that's ALL"
Mr.: Vests Amendment was rejected, 10
TO u.
III Paragraph 374, tapestry brussels
carpets. the specific duty was increased
from'2S to 20 cents per square yard, with
40 per cent nd valorcm additional.
Al A nhctit tint fat
paragraph 3IG1.2, providing that car,
pets of every description, woven whole
for rooms, including oriental, Berlin and
similar rugs, shall pay n duty of 10 cents
per square foot and 40 per cent ad
valorem.
This led to extended debate. Mr.
White and Mr. Vest criticised the rates
as excessive Mr.. Allison explained thai
oriental rugs We're luXuries, some OF
them costing $4,000.
Mr.. Allison secured new amendment
to paragraph 377, druggets. etc, striking
out felt carpeting. He also withdrew
designating the meaning of the wore
wool"
All remaining paragraphs of the WOO
schedule were agreed to as reported, ant
mt | o'clock the senate entered upon the
silk schedule.
The schedules proceeded rapidly unit
the paragraph on woven silk fabric was
reached. After Mr.. Allison mad per
fected the paragraph in minor partcu
lars Mr.. Jones spoke in opposition TO thu
rates, saying that they ran from 40 t
200 per cent and were excessive and pro
hibitory and most burdensOme on tn,
cheap silks. He exhibited samples o.
Japanese and Chinese silks, which, h,
said, would be barred from the country
Mr.. Plat of Connecticut declared
that Mr.. Jones' statement as to duties OF
700 per cent, while not an intentional
Misrepresentation. was due to n mis-
understanding. The rates would no
average above IS per cent.
Mr.. Teller of Colorado said he coult
not vote 700 per cent duty agains
Japanese, Chinese or any other goods
He wanted this to be republican tariff
Wilson bill about as good protectiv,
measure as some that bore the republi
can label
Mr.. Plat commented upon the way
the changes are being "rung' on the
alleged 700 per cent duty. The allega
ton was made by the japanese import
crs and against them Mr.. Platt sub
mitted official customs returns showing
he said, the low percentage of the pro
posed rates.
Mr.. Jones moved substitute para
graph, scaling down the duties on all
lines of silk fabrics. Rejected, % TO 26.
Messrs. Mantle, Pettigrew and Teller
voted with the democrats, in the affirma-
tive.
In view of Mr.. Platt's statement that
the duties would not average above "a
per cent, Mr.. White moved provision
that no duty on silk fabrics shall exceed
75 per cent. Rejected, 22 to "A.
Mr.. White renewed his motion. making
100 per cent the limit of duty on silk
fabrics Rejected, % to %.
Mr.. White then tried to limit the duties
to 200 per cent.
Mr.. Mantle appealed TO his ''protec-
ton friends" to accept this proviso, but
Mr.. Plat declined, saying it was a move