The herald., 1897-06-19
While the Senators Wash
Their Linen
DISCUSSION OF FLAX DUTY
CALLS OUT LIVELY POLITICAL
DEBATE
Tillman Serves Notice That If Steal
ing Is to Be Done, South Caro-
lima Wants Her Share
Press Special Wire.


Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, June 1S-The tariff
bill came to halt in the senate today,
less than one page of the flax schedule
being disposed of. The debate drifted
into political channels, Senators Bacon.
Vest, Jones of Arkaneas and ,rillman
taking part in an exposition of Demo-
cratic doctrine on the tariff. 1t led to
several lively exchanges, during which
the cleaning of political dirty linen'
was frequently referred to. Tillman's
remarks were made with his character
istic vehemence. At one point he frank
ly stated, concerning the tariff, that if
there was to be stealing he wanted his
share for South Carolina. Late, in the day
Morgan proposed a sweeping amend
ment to place 10 per cent ad valorem
duty on all articles now on the free list,
with a few stated exceptions. In sup
| porting the amendment, Morgan called
attention to the singular fact that the
income tax feature of the Wilson bill is
not repealed and can be enforced by a
change in the personnel of the supreme
court of the United States.
Bills were passed for public build
ings at Cleveland Ohio, to cost $1,000.-
700, and at McKeesport, Pa, to cost
5000, 900.
Owing to the interest in the Hawaiian
annexation treaty Senator Davis Of
Minnesota secured an agreement for
printing five thousand copies of the
treaty and other documents.
Consideration of the tariff bill was re-
sumed at schedule j., relating to flax,
hemp and jute and the manufactures
therefrom.
Senator Vest of Missouri made test
lcontest at the outset, moving to strike
our the first paragraph, flax straw at So
per ton. He said the whole flax sched-
ule was based ON the idea that we could
produce flax, but he denied this. Ire
land was the only country in which flax
could be successfully produced and he
denied that the Minnesota flax proved
satisfactory. saal
In further criticizing the flax para
grph Vest ironically referred to that era
of prosperity which had been Officially
and enthusiastically" announced in a
recent prayer by the chaplain of the SEN
| dle, al eHllSSdTy VI prONlUSnCe.
Davis of Minnesota said the flax pro-
duction of the northwest was demon
strated success. He presented samples
of the article produced in Minnesota,
Michigan and the Dakotas.
Pettigrew declared that the proposed
rates ought to be doubled as an en-
| couragement to the flourishing flax in
dustry of the northwest. He derided
| ton. Southern senators had done this
to keep out Egyptian cotton, and yet the
New England manufacturer had been
given compensatory duty to bring in
Egyptian cotton. So that, declared the
senator, all that was accomplished was
to help eastern Republicans break up
| the solid south
This brought response from Bacon
of Georgia, who took the lead in the
contest for a duty on raw cotton. He
did not believe the cotton manufacturers
should receive compensatory duty to off,
set the duty on raw cotton, as the manu-
facturers already had ample protection.
There was fragrant discrimination, he
said, between the raw products of the
farmers of the south and those of the
north, the cotton bagging and cotton
ties used by the south being taxed, while
the binding twine used by the northwest
was free.
Mr. Allison interjected the remark
that the committee hoped before the
senate was through with the bill that
a just equilibrium would be established.
Mr.. Vest declared his opposition to
compensatory duties.
Mr.. Jones said that he opposed a tax
on raw materials, but when such tax
was imposed, then the manufacturer
was bound to have a compensation.
| There was an exciting Interruption
when Mr.. Bacon criticised the position
of some of his associates in not favor
ing revenue duty on raw materials.
Mr.. Vest sprang to his feet and with
great vehemence eXclaimed: This 10
very delectable to Republican senators.
Their hearts are cheered and can see
their eyes gleam."
He had refrained thus far he said.
from exposing Democratic discords, but
since the senator from Georgia had gone
into this lavatory for washing Demo.
cratic dirty linen" he (VesD would ask
his associates few questions. Mr.. Vest
was about to put series of sharp inter-
rogatories but Mr.. Bacon demurred. He
did not like the idea, he said, of being put
on the witness stand by his Democratic
associates and being put through a
course of categorical questions.
| Mr.. Vest, whose manner had been in
tensely earnest, said the questioning
had been undertaken in no offensive
way.
do you believe" he asked, "in tax
alton limited to the needs Of the govern.
ment, economically administered?"
II do" responded Mr.. Bacon.
Then how" persisted Mr.. Vest.
could the Georgia senator reconcile his
position with the fact that an idle sur
plus of millions was now in the treasury.
Why should thern oe more revenue?'
IF have my way" proceeded Mr..
Bacon, there would be no tariff bill.
The senator (Vest) remarks that since
there is to be tariff bill want my
share. I utterly repudiate that asser- .