Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-07-20
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. July 20.

The tariff struggle was removed TO
the Senate day but there was httie
evidence of an exciting contest wnen
the session opened. Several OF tne
Senators who have been absent from
the city were back again anticipating
that every vote might be needed.
The gallery attendance was greater
than usual, although there was ~ no
crowd. On the desk before Mr.. ALI
son in charge of the tariff bill was the
nonderous manusc script of the tariff con-
ference report.
Immediately after the prayer mes
sage from the House announced tne
agreement of that body to the confer
ence report. oo
A resolution by Mr.. Morgan was
agreed to asking the President as 70
what indemnity if any had been asked
of the Spanish government for the ar
rest and subsequent expulsion OF Sam
mel T. Tolon, an American citizen, from
Cuba.
Mr.. Allison then formally presented
the conference report and asked Tor lts
consideration.
Mr.. Berry interposed the request
that the pending resolution empower
ing the President to take steps LOT Inc
release of Ona Melton and other Com
oetitor prisoners be considered. be
urged that it was more important to
nrotect American citizens, uDjustly
held by Spain, than to pass tariff
hill. If this resolution was not coDsld-
cred now, the tariff discussion wouid
cut ii off. .,,
With some reluctance Mr.. Allison
agreed to let the resolution be consio-
cred with the agreement that there
should be no debate and an immediate
vote. The important resolution was
then put on it's final passage, and with
out comment and by unanimous vote
was passed without roll cal.
The Vice. President announced, IN re-
Spouse to an inquiry by Mr.. Allen, that
the pending Union Pacific resolution
was the unfinished business and would
come up at p. m. unless displaced.
This drew from Mr.. Morgan state
ment as to the purpose to have full dis
cussion of the pending question. 1t
was intended, he said, to discuss the
tariff report in all Its political, financial
and historical bearings. Aside from
this it was proposed to secure consider
alton for the Union Pacific resolution
either by itself or during the tariff de-
bate if this became essential. 1t was
not an orderly practice, but, said Mr..
Morgan, when men were tied up and
dashed over the back they were not dis
posed to stand on the niceties of pro-
cedlre. 1t was more important, he
! said. to save $4,000, 900 by the Union
Pacific resolution than to pass the tariff
bill.
Mr.. Allison mildly suggested that
there was no disposition to cut Oh al!
reasonable consideration of the report
1t was too important, however, to give
{ way to other questions which might be
brought forward.
The conference report was then reao
in detail. When the first clause was
read, Mr.. Jones, of Arkansas, made an
earnest protest against proceeding OF
the technical report, without an Intel
ligent explanation on its meaning
There had been no opportunity for the
democratic conferees to consider it II
committee. 1t bad been rushed through
the House in single day, without time
for preparation to discuss it there. L
3 was due to the American people, ne de
clared, that some explanation be given
, The reading of the lengthy conference
report then proceeded rapidly. There
were frequent inquiries by Mr.. Jone
and brief explanations from MIR. AL
, lison but these did not cause materia
2 delay. Seven pages of the printed re
: port, covering 3S pages of the bill, wer'
: disposed of in the first half hour.
3 When the item of window glass wa
; reached Mr. Jones read telegram jus
received from leading window glas
: dealers of New York, saying the resto
ration OF the Dingley rate would plac
: a duty equivalent to 140 per cent Oh
this article which would be prohibition,
, and would stop all revenue from thi
} source.
The lumber amendment led to ami
mated debate. Mr.. Teller and MI
Vest contended that the 81 rate OF
white pine and the retaliatory claus
D against Canadian logs in effect permit
9 ted double tax. Mr.. Teller declare,
9 that the whole thing was conceived il
: the interest of few mill men of Mich
! gan, Minnesota and Wisconsin,, b.
!. which they would be enabled 10 rails
{ the price of pine So to 81 per thousand
Mr.. Pettigrew severely criticised tn
conference amendment, making pei
sonal references to the Michigan Sens
!. tors. He said the 81 was designed t
o benefit few men who own what stand
= ing pine there is in Michigan, Wiscon
= sin aud Minnesota One Michigan
lumberman was worth $10,0O0,0OO an,
was prominentin republican politics. Il
is the man who 'msnipulates the cleo
ton of Senators in Michigan" asserte
MIR. Pettsgrew. This condition made th
lumber amend ment an important on
i to "the Michigan machine" he said
This one lumberman's $4,000, 90
i. counted against theinhuence and vote
. of 10 600 n. en- of ordinary means. Tn
= conference report ought to be rejecte
on this one lumber item. 1t wa
!, full of tricks, he said. Comment
/ ing on q newspaper clipping a
to gathering of lumbermen
Mr. Burrows's room; Mr.. Pettigre,
L it showed that the pine amend
SAL would take over So, 900, Gs out 9
ment &ats of the people and put it i
the poo, poi, Ns of "this little group G
the pock. gathered in Burrows
lumoermen IN: Ns the bill was full {
l ~