Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-15
FIRST SMELL OF POWDER Debate in the Senate on a QueS- .s ton of Criticism
OF SECRETARY GAGE.
In Els Order Relative to Goods Imported After
 April 1
eyoKES A TEST TARIFF VOTE
Result, Close Shave for the Dominant Party-Morgan Attempts to Get Date for Voting on His Cuban Res
 olution-Sharp House Tilt.

- Washington, April 14.-The first skirm- ish on the tariff question occurred in the senate today. It was followed by vote which served as test of strength of the various elements of the senate The vote occurred on a motion by MT. Nor rill republican, of Vermont, chairman of the committee on finance, to refer a resolution by MT. Vest, one of the demo- cratic members of the committee. This made the issue between the representa- tives of the two elements in the senate. Aside from this the resolution was in the nature of a criticism of Secretary Gage and declared illegal his recent order relative to goods imported after April l. when, according to the retroactive clause of the pending Dingley tariff bill, the new rates were to apply.
 AIT. MorIills motion prevailed by the close vote Of 24 to 23 Prior to the vote several breezy exchanges occurred on the subject of the tariff
 The subject came up first when Mr. Mantle presented a memorial from the wool growers urging ample protection to their industry. He referred to- in this connection reports that Secretary North, or the Wool Manufacturers association, was acting as secretary of the finance committee. MT. Merrill denied this state ment saying this gentleman had been summoned as an expert to give informa- ton on the wool question.
 Messrs. Hoar, Haley, of Connecticut, ana Gray, of Delaware, participated in the debate.
 MT. Morrill, succeeded in cutting off the, debate by calling for the regular order.
 He expressed the hope that there would be no premature debate of a tariff bill now before the senate adding that he eX- pected the bill would be reported at an early day. Debate soon came up again on the resolution of MT. Vest declar- ing illegal the recent order of the secre- tary of the treasury to customs officers relative to goods imported after April l.
 MT. Vest declared that the duty of the secretary was to execute the existing law. And yet the order clearly was the retroactive clause of the tariff bill pend- ing in congress. In effect the order null lifted the existing law. He said that no intelligent lawyer would declare the retroactive clause of the Dingley bill to be lawful exercise of authority by con- gress. It was an act of intimidation against importers.
 Mir. Morrill, again expressed regret that the tariff bill was being discussed before 1t had been perfected and presented to the senate. Some of these provisions now under discussion might be changed be- fore reaching the senate
 MT. Vest answered that he had not l secretary of the treasury who precipi-. tated the debate by his illegal order Must the senate remain dumb, asked MT. Vest, while this secretary drew his sword and directed 1t against American citi- zens?"
 It was an unjustifiable act against the importers, MT. Vest asserted
 MT. Morril moved to refer the resolu- tion to the finance committee
 This preoipitated a tariff vote. Great interest was manifested in the vot4 and the roll call was closely followed. The vote was as follows:
 Yeas-Baker, Burrows, Carter Clark, Cullom, Davis Foraker, Frye, Gallinger, Hawley, Hanna, Hansbrough, Hoar Me Milan, Mantsl, Mason Nelson, Platt (of New YorlO' Pritchard, Proctor, Quay, Spooner. Warren, Wellington-24
 Nays-Bate, Butler, Cannon, Chandler, Chiffon, Cockrell, German, Gray, Harris tKansas), Hsitfeld, Lindsay, McEnery, Martin, Mills, Morgan, Pasco, Pettigrew, Pettus, Rawlins, Turner, Turpie, Vest and Walthall-23.
 The republican vote cast against the motion was that of Mir. Chandler, while the democrats voted Soldly against it. They had tha assistance of all the silver republicans and the populists present ex- cept MT. Mantle, of Montana, who voted with the straight republicans MT. Can non and Messrs. Butler and Harris. of Kansas, Heitfeld. Pettigrew and Turner. populists, were recorded against the mo- tion- Messrs. Teller and Jones and Stew art, of Nevada, were absent. Senator's Kyle and Allen, populists, wsre also ab- sent.
 MT. Morgan then moved to proceed with the Cuban resolution. It had been expected that MT Vest would speak on the resolution but he said he preferred to se+ a vote taken. Thereupon MT. Nor gan asked for unanimous consent that the vote be taken tomorrow.
 MT. Hoar said that this would hardly be fair after MT. Morgan had spoken for four days to allow for a vote which would only allow one day speeches against the resolution.
 MT. Morgan was willing to def=r the vote until next day, Friday, but MT. Hoar said he could give no assent in the absence of the senator from Maine GIale).
 Then I will move this resolution in op- position to the bankruptcy bill," said MT. Morgan.
 Efforts to fix a time We're unavailing and MT. Morgan finally gave a notice that he would call up the motion daily until vote was reached.
 The Indian appropriation bill was then taken up. It afforded MT. German, of Maryland, an opportunity ito speak of the disorganized condition of the senate. He criticised thA course of those in charge of these measures In pressing ex- cessive appropriations at time when the senate committees were so disorgan- ized that proper time for economy could not be expressed.
 The amendment opening the Uncom- paghre Indian reservation to public entry led to long contest. A point of order was made against it by MT. Jones, of Arkansas, and pending the decision the senate at 5 p. m. went into executive session and soon after adjourned.
 WARREN REESE CONFIRMED.
 The senate in executive session today confirmed the nomination of Warren S. Reese. Jr., of Alabama. to be United States attorney for the middle district of