The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-09
SENATE.


SENATE.
Washington, July Ex-senator ALI
son, in charge Of the tariff bill, an
nounced shortly before adjournment Of
the senate today that as no agreement
had been reached for a final vote on the
tariff bill he would ask the senate to
remain in session tomorrow night at
least until the bill was reported from
the committee Of the whole to the SEN
ate. This promises a test Of endurance,
unless the opposition to the bill gives
way. Senator Allison's statement was
made after another futile effort to have
d time fixed for the vote.
The tariff bill was taken up with lit
tie delay and Senator Mills moved to
amend paragraph 395 D., by striking
out books Of all kinds" his purpose
being to place books or the free list
rejected IS to %.
Senator Mills then proposed another
paragraph for the free list, viz: THE
bible in whatever language printed"
There was considerable amusement
among senators at this proposition, but
Senator NILS, with edfEeStneSS, III
sisted on a yea and nay vote. The
amendment was rejected u to %. Sen
atOrs Kyle, Stewart and Teller voting
with the democrats in the affirmative
and SeneatOr McEnery with the repub-
licanS in the negative.
A new paragraph was inserted in the
free list: WATERS, for sacrament use
or for coverings in holding p~harmaceu-
teal preparations"
The new committee amendment, re-
1ating to stamps on bonds, debentures
certificates of stock, etc, was taken up
and Senator Allison proposed several
changes.
A legal discussion insued as to the
legality Of the provision that un-
stamped bonds etc, shall be utterly
void and shall not be used in evidence"
Senator Allen, of Nebraska, while
concurring in the general principle of
the proposed tax, said the congress had
no power to lay dOWn a rule OF evil
dence for a state court.
Senators Chiffon, of Texas; Teller, of
Colorado, and White, of California,
shared in this view, while Senator Vest,
of Missouri, and Senator Morgan, of
Alabama, maintained that the provi-
sion Came within the power of congress.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, made the
further point that the amendment
L II I VII Nv Vi A'iS HS"tND ~
prescribing the manner Of records and
registry of such bonds, etc.
Senator Lindsay, of Kentucky, de-
clared hat the provision should be
struck out unless congress intended to
follow the example of the king of Eng
and in establishing a stamp tax before
the independence of America was de-
cIared.
Senate Plat. of Connecticut speak
ing for the finance committee, said hat
as the question had been raised it
would be carefully considered and if
need be changed, before the bill be-
came a law.
The stamp amendment, as a whole,
was hen agreed to on a viva vOce vote,
no call for an aye and no vote being
made. The mo" response was light
and came from the democratic side of
the chamber.
The amendment, as agreed to, fixes
the following rate on bonds etc:
"Bonds. de~bentures or certificates of
Indebtedness issued after September 10,
1897, by any association, company or
corporation, on each 500 of face value
or fraction thereof, 5 cents: and on
each original issue whether an organ
iZatiOn or reorganization of certificates
of stock by any such association, COM
pany or corporation, on each 500 OF
face value or fraction thereof. , cents;
and on all transfers OF SI1dItS Oh Ger
tifcates of stock in any association,
or corporation on each 800 of
face value or fraction thereof 2 cents
Exemption from the tax are made IN
the case of state, county and munich
pal bonds. and the stocks and bonds of
cooperative building associations.
Senator Allison proposed the amend
ment heretofore offered by Senator
Spooner for a tariff inquiry by three
members of the board of appraisers.
Senator Teller took occasion in this
connection, to Criticise the committee
for first transforming the house bill
and then going back in substance to
the house rates. He had tried to learn
what amount of revenue the bill would
yield, and he said he would be glad to
have the chairman, senator Allison,
throw some light on that subject.
This brought Senator Allison to his
feet for the first definite statement as
to the revenue expected to be derived
from the bill. He said it was not pos
Sible for any expert to make exact CAL
culatiOnS on the amount of revenue
a tariff bill would yield. 1t had never
been done and would never be done.
Blu from the best information avail
able proceeded Senator Allison, Il be-
lieve this bill will yield 1915, 000. 900 to
$50. o10, 900 the first year: that is. from
July |. 1897 to July /, 1S9S.' He said
the schedules had been gone over at
every stage. as successive changes were
made and he felt that this estimate
could be safely made. 1t applied only
to the first year, after which there
would TIE a much larger increase of e v
enue
How much the second year, quer-
led Senator White.
1T DEFENDS" answered Senator ALI
son. but l would say something over
$500, 600, 0ua.'
How much over the present law
asked Senator Stewart, OF Nevada
About SCI. 600. 000,' responded Sena-
tor Allison. But it will depend upon
the condition of our industries. No
one can ten exactly how many tons
how many puunds will be imported
next year and the year following. 1t
is not possible to make any more than
a general estimate
Senator Teller. of Colorado. criticised
the estimate of the amount of revenue