The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-07-08
SENATOR STRUCK DUMB
A Startling Halt Occurred in
the Tariff Debate.
pETTIGREw'S VOICE FAILED HIM
He Afterward Recovered-The Senate
Starts Through the Bill for
the Second Time

South Dakota, was stricken with par
alysis of the vocal cords, which brought
his vehemeDt speech to close with
sentence half uttered. The senator was
not physically incapacitated, except in
the sudden loss of the power of speech.
Although he took his seat unaided, his
associates felt that grave possibilities
were involved in such an attack. They
were quickly by his side, and he was
ministered to with as little confusion
as possible. He left the chamber soon
after and was taken home by his
friends. The debate proceeded, but no
further progress on the tariff bill was
made, and the awe-like feeling occa-
stoned by this incident led to an ad-
journment at o'clock.
The senate today began its second
passage through the bill, the purpose
being to dispose of all items previously
passed over. The paragraphs consid-
cred were in the chemical and earthen-
ware schedule, and failed to elicit more
than technical debate, except in the in
stance terminating with Pettigrew's
affection.
The Republican tariff managers are
hopeful of being able to complete con-
sideration of the tariff bill in the SEN
ate by next Wednesday night. The
Democratic leaders do not cOncede the
possibility of an early conclusion. They
generally place it week further of, or
about the 18th or 9Th of July, but admit
the end may come by Saturday of next
week.
Of the problems still unsolved by the
Republicans, lead ore, iron ore, gyp-
sum, tallow and few chemicals are
giving the most trouble, but there is no
doubt of an adjustment on all of these
which will hold the full party vote.
The disposition is to hold the rates at
present fixed on lead and iron ore. with
the intention of making changes in con-
ference. Advocates of high rate on
lead ore, apparently, are prepared to
meet their opponenets half way in con-
ference and accept rate of l Il cents.
The finance committee has practical
ly decided to abandon the proposed tax
on bank checks, which at one time was
so favorably considered, and also to an
increase of A cents barrel in the beer
tax and change in the tobacco tax.
There is some difficulty in the judi
ciary committee in agreeing upon the
form of the antitrust amendment, but
all probabilities point to the incorpora-
ton of Pettus' proposition directed
specially at the sugar trust and of very
little more. 1t is expected the reci-
procity amendment will be ready for
presentation next Tuesday.
There will probably be objection to
retention of the house provision for the
continuance of the Hawaiian reciprOc-
ity agreement on sugar, but the finance
committee will favor such an arrange
ment, and the probabilities are that
the Republicans will support it solid in
the pending action upon the annexation
treaty.
The question Of the duty on tea is
again receiving the attention of the
committee.
The inclinations of the committee
are still against the tax, and if kept in
it will only be on account Of the ne
cessity for so doing.
Washington, June 29.-The Repub-
lican tariff managers are still hopeful
that the present week may prove to be
the last week of the tariff debate in
the senate. ALI the schedules have
been gone over once, leaving nothing to
be done but to consider the paragraphs
in the various schedules, which were
passed when reported in their regular
order, because of difference of opinion
among Republicans themselves.
Many of these differences have been
adjusted in Republican ranks, but the
Democrats will naturally take advan-
tage Of their knowledge Of the feeling
existing among their opponents to de-
bate some of the questions at length.
It is understood now that coal, leather
and hides and lead ore will each be Wig
orously discussed, as will also the ques-
tions, more briefly, of reciprocity, the
treatment of trusts, and the disposition
of the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty.
In view of the determination OF the
Democrats to exploit all these ques-
tions, and others as well, it would seem
impossible to conclude the senate's
work on the bill before the end OF the
week, and the final work will be re-
served for the following week.
The house will continue this week
| its policy of adjourniong from Monday
| to Thursday. After that day, its course
will depend on the action Of the senate.
If vote should be had on the tariff
bill Wednesday or Thursday, the
| house will probably remain in session
| to receive the bill, disagree to the SEN
ate's amendments and appoint con-
ferees. Otherwise, an adjournment will
! be had from Thursday to Monday.
A Russian Ironclad Sunk.
~ nA..L- r,rn 90 The Pms