Birmingham state herald., 1897-07-06

to as they were last fall for greater con tributions than had been asked for in the political history of the United States. They were not required for legitimate election purposes, but to intimidate and coerce voters.
 After some remarks by MT. Stewart in opposition to the pending Spooner com mission amendment, MT. Allen, of Ne braska. offered some amendments to the amendment so as to provide that the president shall select the political party with the advice and consent of the sen ate.
 A sharp and spirited debate followed, participated in by Messrs. Spooner, White, Allan and Morgan. The latter apatheoised the idea that this national holiday should inspire men to independent action.
 And l would make 1t a day of rejoic- ing for those persecuted in Cuba he said, "befcre this day closes we should give to those people the recognition they slook for from us. But we will not do 1t. No, there are political debts to pay with a tariff bill and we must see Cubans die and be robbed by the soldiers of Wey Ter until the steneh comes across the gulf and assails our nostrils."
 MT. Allison briefly answered the crit icism on the Spooner amendment and then said in view Of the opposition de- Aveloped the committee would withdraw the amendment as it was not felt to be sufficiently important u further delay the bill
 MT. Mantle, of Montana, offered an amendment reducing the tariff on dis titled spirits to 70 cents gallon.
 MT. Allison stated that the finance com- mittee had fully considered this proposi- tion and had reached the conclusion that the time was inopportune for bringing 1t before the senate.
 The amendment was rejected-23 to fl.
 MT. Mills proposed an amendment plac- ing an internal revenue of per cznt. on all articles of manufacture produced in the United States from iron, eel. brass, copper. wool. cotton, silk, sugar, the pro- ceeds to be used in reducing the interest bearing debt.
 The amendment was rejected-19 to 3S.
 new amendment by MT. Morgan was agreed to without opposition authorizing the president when he is satisfied that 1t is to the public good to suspend the oper- alton Of the law as to the discriminating tonnage du-y on said merchandise or eommodi ties or vessels of foreign nations carrying the same.
 MT. Mills, of Texas offered an amend- meris providing for reduction of 20 per cent. of the duties provided in the bill in favor of the countries that open their hints to the free and unlimited coinage of silver a: the ratio of 16 to 1. Rejected -26 to 31
 MT Carter, of Montana, voted with the democrats and populists in the affirma- Y and Gray, of Delaware, with the republi- cans in the negative.
 At 5:30 D. m. the bill was laid aside, and af.er an executive session the ssnate, a $40 D. n., adjourned.
 HOUSE.
 The blind chaplain of the house, in his invocation today, referred to the spirit of Independence Day, which he said gave to us the immortal Declara ton of Idepend- ence that led to the forma ion of re- public which has been the inspiration of the whole world for larger liber.y and higher civilizat ton.
 As soon as the journal was read and approved, Mir. Dingley, the floor leader of the majority, moved a recess until Wednesday noon.
 MT. Bailey demanded a division, and when 'hhe speaker announced yeas 11o, nays 67, two less than a quorum MT. Bailey made, the point of no quorum
 Our friends in this city are down town listening to the reading of the Declara- eion of Independence" said he in explana- tion of the vacant seats on the democratic side. Meantime, several republicans, who had not voted, announced their pres ence and the speaker declared the motion carried.