The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-03

tional duty equal to the amount of the
bounty. The clause was agreed to-33 to 19-
the two Democratic senators from Louis
lana (Cafery and McEnery) voting with
the Republicans in the affirmative. The
reciprocity clause empowers the President,
with the advice and consent of the Senate,
to make reciprocity treaties giving 20 per
cent reduction in duties on designated arti-
cles, or placing articles on the free list.
The amendment brought out much op-
position, Senators Mills Vest, Pettus, Teller
and White saying that it evaded the con-
stitutional right of the House of Repre-
sentatives to participate in measures af-
fecting revenue, while Senators Morgan,
Gray and Chandler defended its legality
and propriety. 1t was agreed to-30 to IS
two Democrats (Gray and Morgan) voting
with the Republicans in the affirmative.
Early in the day Mr.. wellington, rising
to a question of personal privilege,
Vehemently upheld his senatorial preroga-
tives in the matter of federal appointments.
In vehement voice he referred TO publca
u0nS concerning conflict said to have
taken place yesterday before the committee
on commerce in relation to the appointment
OF b. ii. warner, Jr., as consul to LeipSlc.
The senator declared that the publication
was unjust and sought to embroil him in
conflict with the President of the United
States. Mr.. Wellington said he understood
committee meetings relating to nominations
were secret and sacred and he could not be-
gave the information. Under such circum
stances, star who he said could have inspired
the committee room yesterday.
HE IS A FREE MAN
1t was alleged that he had attacked Presi-
dent Mckinley, but this, too he declared,
was false. He was a free man and he re-
served it to himself to criticise any ap-
pointment. He had Fdone so yesterday in
a respectful manner, and should the occa-
sion arise he would do so again. He had
the right to expect the same consideration
as that accorded to other Republican sena-
tors. IF the price of patronage is to be
servile obedience, then 1 refuse to give it,"
exclaimed Mr.. Wellington. He spoke again
of the creature" responsible for the
port and closed with an emphatic state
ment as to his prerogatiVeS. If these pre-
negatives were to be interefered with, then
he proposed to make war" He had a right
to be treated as other senators, with the
same senatorial prerogatiVeS. He could not
be driven from the Senate by these attacks.
~ ~ Viii remain right here, exclaimed Mr..
Wellington, striking his desk a resOunding
blow mo man ever struck me a blow
that I did not return with interest, and
they Will find me on deck If the struggle
is to begin"
After the stir of this incident the tariff
bill was taken up Mr. White in behalf
asked Mr.. Allison as to the programme
ON tea, beer the antitrust amendment and
OLNeT important questions.
Mr.. Allison responded that an amendment
relating to the increase of the revenue to
be derived from. the bill would be brought
in later in the day. AS to other questions
a little more time was desired.
Mr. Teller inquired what the committee
or caucus contemplated doing on the ques-
ton of decreasing the tax on distilled spir-
it's. in view of the letter written by the
secretary of the treasury.
Mr.. Allison answered that the whole ques-
ton of distilled spirits had been gone over.
Personally, he believed a lower tax would
be productive of greater revenue, but he
thought it unwise to go into the complex
questions in connection with this tariff bill
Mr. Teller said the letter of the sccre-
tary of the treasury indicated a desire for
legislation on this subject. Then the SEN
ator added Before this bill is disposed of
l will discuss what should be done in de-
that the committee is giving away 81 100000
a month, to the detriment of consumers,
who bear the tax burdens, and to the detri-
ment of honest dealers in distilled spirits"
Consideration of the bill then proceeded.
The paragraph relating to nickel was
changed, making the rates on nickel ore
3 cents per pound on the nickel contained
therein; nickel matter. cents per pound;
nickel, nickel oxide, alloy, etc, cents per
pound.
THE RETALIATORY CLAUSE.
This brought the Senate to the retaliatory
clause, so called, providing that whenever
any country pays a bounty on any article,
then, upon the importation of that article
into the United States, there shall be levied
and paid in addition to the duties other
wise imposed by this act an additional duty
equal to the net amount of such bounty or
grant, however the same may be paid or
bestowed"
Mr. Gray spoke against the amendment
saying he regarded it as opening the way to
a disregard of our treaty obligations with
at least two European countries-Germany
and Austria-Hungary. He read the protest
of Baron Won Thielman, the German en-
bassador, and Baron Won Hangelmuller the
Austrian minister, against the proposed dis
Mr. Caffery differed with Mr. Gray. ar
gUing that no breach of international obi-
of this character was in the nature of self
preservation to which any country could
resort when it's industries were threatened
by the payment Of foreign export bountes.
Mr. White argued that if Germany had
the right to give an export duty which in
effect operated against the United States,
the United States could adopt measures to
Offset this, and he would not even call it
retaliatory.
Mr. Chandler said he would vote for the
retaliatory clause with extreme reluctance.
He had been told that Germany would be-
gin course of commercial warfare against
the United States, and he would make sac
rifces TO prevent friction between the en-
pire of Germany and the United States.
But, the senator said he did not see how
this retaliatOry clause could be avoided if
the protective character of the bill was to
be preserved.
Ine retanaLOfy clause was agreed tO-33
to 10. Two Democrats (CAffery and Nc
Emery. of Lousiapa) and Messrs Allen and
Kyle voted with the Republicans in the af-
rmative, and Messrs. Mantel and Teller
with the Democrats in the negative.
THE RECIPROCITY SECTION.
The reciprocity section was next consid-
cred, MIR. Allison Offering the new pro-
vision the text OF which has been hereto
fore given. 1t was changed slightly by pro-
viding that the reciprocity treaties be made
by and with the consent of the Senate"
In brief the section authorizes the Presi-
dent to negotiate commercial treaties to ex-
tend not more than five years and grant
ing a reduction of the duties imposed by
this act to the extent of not more than 20
per cent. thereof or for the transfer during
that period of designated articles from the
dutiabIe to the free list, being the natural
products Of such foreign countries and not
of the United States.
Mr.. Mills stated in few words that the
proposed amendment sought to deprive the
House of Representatives of its constitu-
tiona right TO originate and participate in
all revenue measures.
Mr. Vest took the same view. while Mr.
Allison and Mr. Hoar contended that the
participation of the House in the passage
of this bill an authorization of the
treaties. Mr.. Vest spoke of the assaults of
this bill on GERMANY japan. Argentine