Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-07-22

exceeded it's authority in so amending
the paragraph relating to printing
paper as TO place a retaliatory duty
against the countries paying an export
bounty on wood pulp. His point of or
der was debated at much length and
finally overruled by Vice President Ho-
bart. This removed the only obstacle
thus far encountered by the report. The
reciprocity amendment. and the aban-
donment of the stamp tax on bonds
and stocks, developed much criticism.
The tariff conference report was TAX
on up in the Senate after routine bus
mess was disposed of. and the formal
reading OF the report proceeded. Dur
Ing the early hours the discussion was
purely formal, most of the time being
given to identifying the numbered
amendments with the text OF the Sen
ate bill
The first contest arose over amend
ment $50. relating to printing paper.
The conference committee had added
retaiiatory clause for an added duty
OF one-tenth OF one cent per pound for
each 81 of export duty paid on print
ing paper by foreign country.
Vest, Jones and Teller vigorously pro-
it was a new provision. not acted upon
by the Senate or House, and beyond the
power Of the conference committee
Teller characterized such conference
as an outrage. as the committee acted
arbitrarily and came before the Senate.
saying in effect, What are you going
to do about it?'
Jones finally made a direct issue
against the conference committee. max
ing a point of order against the retalia-
tory clause. on the ground of its being
new matter. He said he would ask for
ruling from the Chair on the regular
ity of the conference action
Chandler of New Hampshire, referred
to the broad latitude given conference
committee in the practice in both houses
OF Congress He raised q laugh by
telling Jones that he had swallowed
two tribes of Indians" on a conference
report on one of the Indian appropria-
tion bills.
Adrich, r. l., one of the conferees
defended the retaliatory clause. saying
it was strictly within the rights of the
difference between the Senate and
House. The conference report must be
accepted or rejected as whole. said
Aldrich. and the main question could
not be diverted by appeals for ruling
from the Chair
White of California. referred to the
secret sessions of the Republican con-
ferees and ironically read Chambers
remarks on the Wilson bill wherein
the New Hampshire senator declared
that the bill had been brought forth in
the dark and should be blasted by
executive lightning.
Chandler good naturedly answered
that while his anathema on the Wilson
bill had not brought a lightning blast
against 1t. yet il had doubtless in part
inspired Democratic President to de-
nounce that measure as one of per
iidy and dishonor." CHANGING across
the aisle where Morgan had a stack of
books on his desk, Chandler said he OBJ
served that the Alabama senator was
ready to make a short speech on this
point of order.
A long discussion followed on the
powers of a conference COMMITTEES.
exceeded its powers and that it could
not arrogate To itself the right to orig
mate new amendments. The senator
branched off to the partisanship of the
hill. The man who would lift the tariff
out of politics. he said. would be an
other Thomas Jefferson, as benefactor
to his country. The present bill was
framed on purely partisan lines, de-
clared Morgan, and was designed to
give benefits ito party favorites. The
senator reviewed in detail the action Of
the Republican members of the ways
and means committee and of the
finance committee and of the confer
enee committee in excluding Demo-
cratic members.
Morgan was involved in several sharp
cclloquies with Gear, Iowa. who point
ed out that the Wilson bill had been
considered in the same way Morgan
referred to the reports that the splen-
did and ponderous Speaker of the
House of Representatives had secured
House victory on the sugar schedule.
The senator thought there must be
some mistake about the Speakers sue
cess, for Notwithstanding his ponder
osity the harder he sits down on a thing
the higher 1t rises; notwithstanding his |
sitting down on the sugar schedule, up
get the prices. IF he can't work the |
safety valve better than that he had |
better retire from politics"
Vice President Hobart then an
his decision on the point of |
order. holding that 1t was not well TAX I
en-. 1t was not, he said. for the Chair
to determine whether the matter in a |
conference report was new, or was rele-
want. All such questions were for the
Senate itself. on the question Of ac-
,epting or rejecting the report.
The reading Of the report proceeded
When the amendment relating to hides
was reached. Allen, Neb, asked why
he conferees had provided draw back
If duty on leather exported. made from
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