The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-27
Mr.. Vests Motion to Reduce the Duty
OH BOrncfc Acid from TO 3 Cents
Defeated by 34 to 20.
THREAT BY Mr.. CHANDLER
HE WILL FASTEN AN ANTITRUST
RIDER ON THE TARIFF BILL
If an Effort Is Made to Pass the Rail-
way Pooling Measure-PrOtest from
Tobacco Manufacturers.

WASHINGTON, May 26-The first vote
on the tariff bill was taken in the Senate
to-day. 1t came after a two hours debate
on the item of boracic acid which, al
though comparatively unimportant, af-
forded an opportunity for the first align
ment of the various elements. Mr.. Vest of
Missouri, a Democratic member of the
finance committee, moved to make the rate
on boracic acid cents instead of cents
per pound as provided by the committee.
This presented a direct issue between the
committee and the opponents of the bill.
The amendment was defeated-yeas, 20;
nays "a. The vote was largely on party
lines. The affirmative was made up of nine
teen Democrats and one Populist, Hetfeld.
The negative was made up of twenty-nine
Republicans, two Democrats (McEnery of
Louisiana, and White of California;, two
silver Republicans Cannon of Utah, and
Jones of Nevada, and one Populist (Stew-
art, of Nevada-) The debate was partici-
pated in by Senators Vest, Jones of Ar
kansas, Aldrich, Perkins, White, Caffery,
Gray and Stewart. Mr.. White, Demo-
cratic member of the finance committee,
opposed Mr.. Vests amendment, urging that
the California industry required the rate
allowed by the committee. Seven para
the day, the committee being sustained in
each instance. The resolution was agreed
to authorizing the secretary of the navy
to employ any suitable ship in forwarding
relief supplies to India. When the tariff
bill was taken up at 2 o'clock Mr.. White.
in behalf of the Democratic members OF
the finance committee, submitted a num-
ber OF tables showing the articles on which
the duties were from so to rs per cent, from
10 to 100 per cent and over 100 per cent.
In reply to questions by Mr.. White Mr..
Aldrich, in charge of the bill, stated that
he was unable to state the average ad
valorem rate for the entire bill or tn total
number of amendments proposed The
formal reading of the bill then began and
the Senate was thus brought to the point
Of considering the measure by paragraphs.
The first amendments were formal and
We're agreed to without question.
AS soon as the second page was reached
a contest arose over the amendment pro-
posed by the finance committee, raising the
duty on boracic acid from to 5 cents per
cents. He characterized the action Of the
committee as remarkable and said the pro-
posed duty of cents was enormous.
Mr.. Aldrich replied that the proposed
rates was regarded as proper protection
to the producers of the article in Nevada
and California, and the persons engaged
in the production held that this rate was
essential
JONES'S DISCOVERY.
Mr.. Jones, of Arkansas, presented q pros
pectus of an English company setting
forth that it was about to purchase and
consolidate the borax lands and plants in
Nevada, California and Oregon. The pros
pectus also stated the large profits made
by the American companies Mr.. Jones said
he read this to answer Mr.. Aldrich's state
ment that more protection was required.
Mr.. Jones declared that crude borax from
ar
in London at less than cents per pound.
and yet there was the "audacity" of COM
ing to the United States Senate and asking
protection of cents pound. 1t was not
time, said Mr.. Jones, when the Senate
should swell the profits of an English
Mr.. Aidrich answered that there were
many borax companies outside of the Eng
lish company alluded to. Some of them had
Wilson tariff law.
'"They were shut up" asserted Mr.. Jones,
because It would not be profitable to the
monopoly to shut up the other companies
Mr.. White said, facetiousy that in the
distribution of favors by this bill he desired
to have his State receive a share. He had
been assured by those interested that there
was not q word of truth in the statement
that the American fields were controlled by
an English company. He had some per-
sonaI information on the borax productions
of California, he said. The negotiations for
a sale had failed. Mr.. White gave it as his
opinion that If the policy of this bill was to
be maintained then the rate could not be
lowered and afford adequate protection to
the American companies. lie said he would
vote for the committee rate.
Mr. Stewart, whose position towards the
bill has been a subject of interest stated
that If there was to be tariff bill the
products of Nevada, including borax, should
receive adequate protection.
Mr.. Camery remarked that his associate
appeared to favor the policy OF General
HANCOCK that the tariff is a local matter.
CWhite) wants his share.
VOTE IN DETAIL.
A vote was then taken on Mr.. Vests
amendment. 1t was the first vote on the
bill, and was followed with close attention.
The amendment was defeated-2O to 34-as
follows:
Yeas-Berry, Caffery, Chiffon Clay. Cock
rell, German. Gray. Jones', Kenney Lind
say Morgan, Murphy, Pasco, Rawlins,
Roach, Smith, Turpie, Vest Walthali
Democracy, Heitfeld Populis)-2O.
Nays-Aldrich. Allison, Baker Burrows
Carter Chandler, Cullom, Davis, Elkins.
Fairbanks, Foraker, Frye Gallinger Gear
Hanna, Hansbrough. Hawley Lodge, Me,
Connecticut, Platt Of New York QUAY,
shoup, Spooneri Warren and Wilson CRe-
crats), Cannon (silver Republican,, Jones
and Stewart (Populists)-34.
Following were the pairs. The first named
would have voted for the Vest amendment
and the last against it.: Daniel and Pritch-
ard, Turner and Hoar, Pettus and Mcbride,
Mallory and Proctor, Martin and Mantle
Mitchell and Sewell, Timan and Thurston'
Harris (Kansas) and Clark Bate and De-
Doe, Harris CTennessee) and Morrill, George
and Wolcott. Bacon and Wetmore Butler
and Wellington. Pettigrew, silver Repub-
lican, was absent and not paired. KYLE
Independent Populist was absent and un-
paired. Hale. Republican, and Faulkner
Democrat. were absent and no pairs an
nounced for them. The COMMITTEES proyi-
sion fixing the rate on boracic acid at s
cents per pound was then agreed to.
When the next item. alcoholic perfumery
cologne, etc, was reached Mr.. Vest moved
10 restore the old rates OF 81 per gallon and
80 per cent. ad Valorem. He said the rate
In the bin of 60 cents per pound and 45 per
cent ad valorem was protection run mad"
as IL was equivalent to about s. per gallon
on goods worth about S1.46 The amend
ment was defeated without division.
At 3 o'clock the tariff bill was laid aside
Paragraph 3. Page 5. having been reached
An agreement was reached that a vote be
taken on the conference report on the sun
dry civil bill at 2 o'clock tomorrow. At
5:32 D. m. the Senate held an executive ses-
sion and afterwards adjourned
The committee on finance has agreed
upon the following amendments 10 the
chemical schedule of the bill: The para
graph IN regard to coal tar dyes Is changed
to read as follows: Coal tar dyes or coll
ors and all products or preparations of coal
tar by whatever name known, not specially
provided for in this act. p per cent. ad
valorem." An addition of one-quarter of
cent per pound is made 10 the rate on