New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-15
A sKIRMISH ON THE TARIFF.
LIVELY DEBATE AND INTERESTING
ROLLCALL IN THE SENATE.

A RESOLUTION AIMED AT THE RETROACTIVE
CLAUSE OF THE pINGLEY BILL DEFEATED
BY ONE MAJoRITY-MosT OF THE Sill
YER SENATORS WERE ABSENT.
lBY TELEGRAPH TnIBuSE.l
washington, April II The first skirnish in
the Senate over tariff legislation took place this
afternoon when Mir. Mantle. in offering petit
ton from some wool-growers in Montana, as
sailed the House rates on raw wool as made
ouate and Mr.. Vest, by of resolution,
sought 10 rebuke the action of the Secretary of
the Treasury in arranging to carry out the So
called retroa ctive clause of the Dingley bill.
Mr. Morrill, the chairman of the Finance Com
mittee earnestly deprecated any prema ture dis
cusson on the House bill. which still under
going reconstruction in the Finance Committee,
and finally, to get rid Of Mr.. Vests resolution,
moved that 1t be laid on the table. The vote
this motion was extremely close. Mr.. Morrill, car
ryng his point by ~ 10 ga margin of one.
The division did not disclose anything. however,
as 10 the attitude of those Senator'S whose votes
are expected in the end to make tariff legisla
ton possible. Mr.. Kyle. Of South Dakota, was
absent. as were also Messrs. Teller. Stewart. and
Jones of Nevada Mr.. Mantle. the silverite Sena-
tor from Montana. supported Mr. Morrilrs mo-
ton. but Mr.. Chandler. of New Hampshire,
voted against H.
The rollcan excited more interest than any,
thing that has happened in the Senate so far this
session. and was taken TO indicate the closeness
and uncertainty of the parliamentary struggle
which is to come when the Finance Committee
reports its amended bill to the Senate.
The vote in detail follows:
Yeas-Messrs Baker. Burrows. Carter, Clark. Gull
Hanna, .Hansbrough. Hoari Mcmillan Mantle; Ma
s spooner. Warren and Weiiington~2i
Nays-MossTs Bate. Butler, Cannon. Chandier.
Heitfed. Lindsay McEnery. Martin Mills. Morgan
Pasco. Pettigrew, Pettus. Rawlns Turner Tnpie
Prior to the vote a breezy discussion occurred
on several phases Of the tariff. The subject
came up first when Mr.. Mantle presented a me-
mortal from wool growers urging ample protec-
ton TO their industry. He referred to reports
that Secretary North of the Wool Manufacture
ers' Association was acting as secretary of the
Finance Committee Mr.. Morrill, denied the
statement. saying that Mr.. North had been sum-
moned as an expert to give information on the
wool question. Messrs Hoar. of Massachusetts;
Hawley, Of Connecticut and Gray. of Delaware,
took part in the debate Mr.. Morrill, succeeded
in cutting off the debate by calling for the
regular order. but II soon broke out again on Mr..
Vests resolution directed against the Secretary
of the Treasury. Mr.. Vest declared that the re-
troactive clause Of the pending tariff bill was
illegal and beyond the power Of Congress. He
characterized Secretary Cages recent order as a
notification of the existing law and move TO
intimidate the importers of foreign goods Mr..
Morrls motion TO refer the resolution to the
Finance Committee brought the question to an
issue with the result given above
Mr.. Morgan. of Alabama, endeavored to have a
time fixed for the final vote on his Cuban resou-
ton. Mr.. Hoar objected. and Mr.. Morgan gave
notice that the resolution would be pressed daily
until a final vote was reached.
When the Indian Appropriation bill was taken
up Mr. German. Of Maryland criticised the
course Of those in charge of these measures in
-i.fs ft,a
ate committees We're so disorganzed that proper
care for economy could not be exercised.
TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE TARIFF.