The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-27
Came on an Amendment offered
by Vest.
FIRM.
REPUBLICANS
They Present an UnbrOken
Front to the Opposition,
And Aided by Populists Defeat
the Amendment.

1t came after a two hours debate on
the item of boracic acid, which, al
though comparatively unimportant eff
fected an alignment.
Mr.. Vest of Missouri, a Democratic
member of the finance committee NOV
ed to make the rate on boracic acid 8
instead of cents per pound This pre-
sented a direct issue between the COM
mittee and the opponents of the bill
The amendment was defeated-2O to "a
The vote was largely on party lines.
The debate was participated in by
Senators Vest, Jones of Arkansas, Aid
rich. Perkins, White, Caffery, Gray and
Stewart.
Mr. White, a Democratic. member of
the finance committee, opposed the
amendment, urging that the California
industry required the rate allowed by
the committee.
Seven paragraphs of the bill were
considered during tie day, the COM
mittee being sustained in each instance.
The resolution was agreed to author
ling the secretary of the navy to en-
ploy any suitable ship in forwarding
relief to India.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire en-
deaVored to get a vote on his PROPOSE
BILE ship.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama insisted that
American ships under the American
flag be employed. He favored natural
does grind on some gentlemen who mo-
nopolize the coastwise trade in steam
ships"
Mr.. Gray of Delaware also urged
that the white winged messengers of
peace and benevo1ence should bear the
American flag.
Mr.Stewart of Nevada said this send
ing Of grain was a charity and yet her
senators were discussing what display
we could make, how we could advertise
ourselves, and how the American flag
could be used as an incident to chart
ty.
Mr.. Frye declared that the PROPOSE
ton of Mr. Morgan was Scheme
originating with Hogan & Sons, New
York ship owners, who were seeking to
make a bargain as an incident to this
charity, by which two of their foreign
built ships would secure permanent
American registries.
motion by Mr.. Morgan to table the
Chandler proposition ives defeated-18
to 40, and the joint resolution was then
passed.
Just as it passed Mr. Sewen of New
Jersey made a brief and vigorous
statement that this benefaction should
go under the American flag, and Mr..
Morgan added:
1.-The American flag is now hauled"
The final conference report on the
Indian bill was then agreed to.
The tariff bill was taken up at
o'clock.
Mr. White of California, in behalf of
the Democratic members of the finance
committee, submitted a number of ia
bles showing the articles on which the
rs to 100 per cent and over 100 per
cent.
In reply to questions by Mr.. White,
Mr. Aldrich, in charge of the bill, stat
ed that he was unable to state the
average ad valorem rate of the entire
bill or the 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 were
agreed to without question. AS soon as
the second page was reached a contest
arose over the amendment proposed by
the finance committee, raising the du-
ty on boracic acid from to 5 cents per
pound.
Mr. Vest of Missouri moved to substi-
tute cents. He characterized the act
ion of the committee as remarkable and
said the proposed duty of cents was
enormous.
Mr. AIdrich replied that the proposed
rate was regarded as a proper protec-
ton to the producers of the article in
Nevada and California and the persons
engaged in the production held that
this rate was essential.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas presented
prospectus of an English company set
ting forth that it was about to pur-
chase and consolidate the bOrax lands
and plants in Nevada, California and
Oregon.
The prospectus also stated the large
profits made by the American compa-
MES Mr.. Jones said he read this to
answer Mr.. Aldrich's statement that
more protection was required. Mr..
Jones declared that crude borax from
the United States was selling at profit
in London at less than cents per
pound, and yet there was the "audac-
ity'' of coming to the United States
senate and asking protection of 4
cents a pound. It was not a time, said
MI Jones' when the senate should swell
the profits of an English monopoly.
Mr.. Aldrich answered that there were
mia n11fE id nf a
English companies. Some of them had
been compelled to shut up as result
of the Wilson tariff law.
They were shut up, asserted MT.
Jones, because 1t would not be profit
able to the monopoly to shut up the
other companies
Mr. White Dem, CaL), member of
the finance committee, said that in the
distribution of favors by this bill he
desired to have his state receive
share He had been assured by those
interested that there was not word
of truth in the statement that Aner1-
can fields We're controlled by an Eng
fish company. He had some personal
information as to the borax productions
of California The negotiations Tor
sale had failed.
Mr.. Stewart pop, New, whose po-
sition toward the bill has been a sub
iect of interest. stated that if there was
to be a tariff bill the products of Ne
vada, including borax, should receive
adequate protection.
Mr. Caffery Dems Lao remarked
that his associate CWhite) appeared to
favor the policy of General Hancock.
that the tariff is a local matter, ana II
there are to be any benefits he (White)
wants his share.
A vote was then taken on Mr.. Vests
amendment. It was the first vote on
the bill and was followed with close
attention. The amendment was de-
| feated. 20 to "a, as follows:
Ayes-Berry, Caffery, Chiffon, Clay
| Cockrell, German, Gray, Jones, Kenney'