Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-06-17
THE s5TH CONGRESS- AT WORK

tariff was adopted placing raw cotton,
the great product of the south, on the
dutiable list at 90 per cent ad valorem.
1t is the first time in the history of
tariff legislation that "A duty on cotton
has been incorporated in n bill. The
amendment was proposed by Mr.. Ba-
con, Democrat, of Georgia, on his in
dividual responsibility and led to
spirited debate, Democratic senators
disclosing wide difference of views
and at times exchanging sharp personal
criticisms. On the final vote six Dem
ocrats voted with the Republicans for
the Bacon amendment while the mega
tive vote was solidly Democratic with
one exception, Kyle, Populist The
debate took up the most of the day
and but little progress was made on
the bill. Early in the day the sugar
schedule was passed over and the ag-
ricultural schedule taken up, which
gave Mr.. Vest occasion to say, in his
usual ironical way, that the latter
schedule was fraud concoctcd to
catch farmers votes. Several sena-
tors, however, showed wherein the
duties proposed on agricultural pro-
ducts would greatly benefit the farm
ers of their states at least.
SENATE-6lst day-The sugar sched-
ule, over which the hardest fight on
the tariff bill is expected, was taken
up. No final action was taken on any
feature of the schedule, further than
the withdrawal of the original Senate
committee amendments This leaves
the House provisions of the bill, with
an amendment increasing the House
differential from s75-10O0 TO 95-100
cents per pound. The provisions re-
lating to the Hawaiian islands went
over by mutual consent. HoUsE-Rou-
tine business and a few minor and
formal matters were disposed of when
motion to adjourn was made. but
was resisted by the minority. The ris-
ing vote resulted in a tie, s7-S7.
Speaker Reed saved the motion by vot-
ing yea. Demands for yeas and nays
came from both sides, and the roll was
| called. The motion was carried.
SENATE. ed day The first test
vote on the sugar schedule resulted in
the adoption of the Republican caucus
amendment changing the House rate
on refined sugar 10 Los per pound by
the close vote of yeas 80, nays 80.
1t was the closest vote thus far taken
on an issue of Importance and was ac-
cepted as showing that any amend
ment having the sanction of the caucus
was assured of adoption. The day
was spent in speeches on the effect of
the sugar schedule, the first paragraph
of which was not finally disposed of up
TO the time of adjournment
SENATE Odd day.-The sugar sched-
ule was again the subject of the Demo
cratic assaults. Practically no pro-
gress was made. Only one amendment
was voted upon and that was defeated.
Mr.. Vest tried to prod the Republicans
into a detailed defense of the schedule,
but they declined the challenge. The
most sensational feature of the day
was the speech of Senator McEnery,
Democrat, of Louisiana, who on the
day before had voted with the Repub-
7,Sicans for the sugar schedule. 1t was
his maiden speech in the Senate. He
openly avowed himself a protectionist
and as Democrat justified his position
z
should not constitute "A test of democ-
racy. He, moreover, defended the
sugar trust, whose interests, he argued
went hand-in-hand with the sugar
planters. The Republican Senators
showed much interest in his remarks.
SENATE.-Gith d1y-Thc debate on
the sugar schedule of the tariff bill
proceeded with only one diverting in
cident to relieve the monotony into
which the discussion has lapsed. This
was the sharp exchange betwc Mr..
lIoar, of Massachusetts, and Mr.. Till
man, of South Carolina. The latter
again referred to published charges of
irregularity in connection with the
sugar schedule and asserted that the
Senate would stand convicted before
the American people if it failed to in
vestigate the charges. Mr.. Hoar
calmly and impressively repealed this
statement, his tone and language being
calculated as a rebuke. He declared
that the vague charges were not only
preposterous but infamous Mr. Ali
son, in charge of the BILL made an
other speech in defense of the schedule,
presenting tables which he declared
proved that the sugar refiners received
less protection under the Senate sched-
ule than under the existing law Mr..
Pettigrew, of South Dakota, spoke at
length in favor of his amendment to
place on the free list articles controlled
by trusts, severely arraigning the var
ious large trusts. Mr.. Allen, of Ne
braska, urged legal procedure against
the trusts. IIoUsE-The House adj
iourned after session of IS minutes.
The only attempt to transact business
was a request by Mr.. Lacey, of Iowa,
for unanimous consent to bill for the
relief of cyclone sufferers in Greer
county, Okla. Mr. Henry, of Texas,
promptly objected and then, after the
usual Democratic protest against the
Republican policy of not appointing
committees, the House, by SO to 7s,
with Is present and not voting, decided
to adjourn. Before the session began
the hub of wheel, wound round with
monster petition said to contain
5000, 900 signatures, appealing to con-
gress To recognize the Cuban insur-