Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-05-29
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. May 20.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, secured consid-
GRAFTON for g joint resolution authorizing
the Secretary of War to use rations for
the relief OF destitute persons in the
district overlooked by the Rio Grande
river near Ell Paso, Texas, and sppro-
priating $4,000 for this purpose. MIR.
Mills read a telegram from the mayor
and city officers of Ell Paso saying that
500 houses had been destroyed, that
1900 people were destitute and that
the condition was beyond the power Of
local relief.
The joint resolution was then passed.
Bills were passed regulating the dis
poEal of refuse in the District of Colum-
bia; also regulating the adulteration Of
drugs in the District of Columbia.
At 1920 p. N. tie taritfbill was taken
up on motion of Mr.. Aldrich, who call
ed up the paragraphs relating to china,
crockery, porcelain, &C, which had
been passed over. Mr.. Aldrich stated
that the House rates would be allowed
to stand. Mr.. Jones objected to par
tial consideration Of the china schedule,
and it vas finally agreed to let the en-
tire schedule 60 over.
The bill was then considered from
the point reached yesterday, viz, para
graph 100. An agreement was reached
striking out the provision that all fut-
ed, rolled, ribbed or rough plate glass,
| when ground or otherwise obscured,
shall be subject to the same rate Of
duty as finished cast polished plate glass
unsilvered.
Mr.. Jones declared that the increase
of duty on all classes Of plate glass vas
astounding. In one case the rate was
increased SO per cent. above the high
rate of the Mckinley act, which, he as
serted, had been repudiated by the peo-
pie because of its high rates. This was
an attempt to raise the price of mirrors
used in cheap furniture for poor people.
while the large size glass by people Of
wealth, had its rates reduced. This
was the regularity of the whole bill, as
though the senators in charge of the
DILL had in mind the old proverb, "To
him who hath shall be given, and to
MIN who hath little shall shall be taken
away"
Mr.. Vest, OF Missouri, added that the
e%ntireplaic glass trade, with a few trifing
exceptions, was controlled by the com
bine which met annually at Pittsburg,
fixing rates etc.
Mr.. Jones presented a statement
showing that the plate glass combina-
ton had made profits Of about $500
900 in twenty-five months, on a CAPT
tai OF -, 100000.
Mr.. Lindsay asked if the existence OF
a trust, to control trade, was not q good
|; reason for Withholding protection.
81 deny most cmphatically," Mr..
Aldrich replied, that there il any
combination to control prices or to lin
it production or to do anything else
that is generally understood as q re-
straint of trade"
Mr.. Vest pointed out what he consid-
cred a peculiar feature of the readjust-
ment, that the rates were increased on
the grades ia common use and de-
creased IN grades used by the favored
class.
The proposed rates were 90 high IS
to be absolutely prohibitory, and the
advocates OF this bill seemed to be in
spired by the hope of Carey, the apostle
Of extreme protection, that an ocean of
fire could keep from our shores every
ship bearing foreign goods.
Mr.. Gallery, of Louisiana, spoke
against the committee rates. The an-
swer of the Rhode Island Senator (Ald-
rich) to the criticism of the rates was
as weak, MI. Gallery said, as his ex
PLANTATION of the sugar schedule, and,
like that. "the more you look at it the
muddier it GETS"
The debate on Mr.. Jones's first
amendment to the plate glass schedule
lasted over two hours, and then, on q
yea and nay vote, the amendment was
defeated, 81 to 20.
The vote was a party one, the demo-
Gratis for and the republicans against the
amendment. Messrs. Heitfeld, Kyle
and Pettigrew voted with the demo-
Gratis and Mr.. Jones, Of Nevada, with
the republicans.