The Portland daily press., 1897-07-22
Formal PerusaI Of Report Con-
cluded Yesterday
THE DEBATE WAS SPIRITLESS IN
THE MAIN.
Contest Made on Ground That Commit
tee Had Exceeded Its Duty But Ih1s
Overruled = Reciprocity Amendment
CriticIzed.

Overruled = Reciprocity Amendment
Criticized.
Washington, July 21.-Ihe Senate con-
Glued the formal reading of the tariff con-
ference report today. The debate was q
splr1tless in the main Early in the day
MIR. Jones of Arkansas, made contest
against the conference committee on the
ground that it had exceeded it's authority
In so amending the paragraph relating
TO printing paper as to place retal1atory
duty against the countries paying an
export bounty on wood pulp. Hisypoint
OF order was debated at much length and
finally overruled by Vice President Ho-
bart. This removed tho only obstacle
thus far encountered by the report The
reciprocity amendment, and the abandon
ment of the stamp tax on sbonds and
stocks, developed much criticism.
Washington, July 21.-The tariff con-
ference report was taken up in the Senate
today, after routine business was disposed
of, and the formal reading of the report
proceeded.
During the early morning hours the
discussion was purely formal, most of the
time being given to identifying the num-
bered amendments with the text of the
Senate bill.
The first contest arose over amendment
$50, relating to printing paper The con-
ference committee had added retaliatory
clause for an added duty of one tenth of
one cent per pound for each 81 Of export
duty paid on printing paper by aforeign
country.
Senators Vest, Jones of Arkansas and
Teller vigorously protested against this
amendment, saying it was new -provis-
ion, not acted on by the Senate or House,
and beyond the power of the conference
committee.
Mr.. Teller characterized such confer
ence as an outrage, as the committee
acted arbitrarily and came before the
Senate, saying in effect, What are you
going to do about it?'
against the conference committee, max
ing point of order against the retalia-
tory clause, on the ground of Its being
new matter. He said he would ask for q
ruling from the chair ON the regularity
of the conference action.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire, re-
ferred to the broa d latitude given confer
ence committees in the practice in both
houses of Congress. He raised a laugh
by telling Mr.. Jones that he had "swal-
lowed two tribes of Indians" on con-
ference report on one of the Indian ap-
preparation bills.
Mr.. Aldrich of Rhode Island, one of
the conferees, defended the retaliatory
clause, saying it was strictly within the
rights of the conferees as the general sub
ject was in difference between the Senate
and House. The conference report must
Mr. Aldrich, and the main question
could not be diverted by appeals for a
ruling from the chair.
Mr.. White of California referred to the
secret sessions of the Republican con-
ferees and ironically read Mr.. Chambers
remarks on the Wilson bill, wherein the
New Hampshire Senator declared that
the bill had been brought forth in the
dark and should be blasted by executive
lightning.
Mr.. Chandler good naturedly answered
that while his anathema on the Wilson
bill had not brought lightning blast
against it., yet it had doubtless in part
inspired a Democratic President to de-
nounce that measure as one of ''perfdy
and dishonor." CHANGING across the aisle
where Mr.. Morgan had stack of books
on his desk, Mr.. Chandler said he obs
served that the Alabama Senator was
ready to make "short speech" on this
point of order.