Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-06-19
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, June 10.
SENATE.

Ia the Senate to-day the fax schedule
of the tariff bill was taken up, the pend
ing question being on Mr.. Allison's
motion to amend paragraph 327, relat-
ing to thread. Irvine, &C.. made OF flax,
hemp or ramie.
Mr. Vest and MIR. Jones (Ark.) con-
tested the proposed change, arguing
that the rates were excessive.
Mr.. Allison's amendment was agreed
to, 26 to 10, Mr.. McEnery voting with
the republicans.
Mr.. Allison moved to increase the
rates relating to yarns, making the rate
7 cents instead of cents pound.
Mr.. Gray called for an explanation OF
the increase. He said it would not do for
the republicans to Dit still without say
ing word, simply because they had the
necessary majority.
Mr.. Sewell said the increase had been
decided upon to compensate for the in
crease in the rate on the raw material
demanded by the western people,"
Every WE'LL" said Mr.. Gray, "shat is
more light than We have heretofore
had. Go on"
"That's enough" interjected two or
three republican senators.
Mr.. Allison complained that if the
Delaware Senator had not received the
necessary information it was because he
had not listened to what was said.
Mr.. Gray made an argument for free
law materinl' the necessity for which,
he said, was illustrated by the action OF
the finance committee in the case of
linen thread. The amendments we're
agreed to without division.
Mr.. Vest took exception to the in
crease on floor mattiugs, saying the
duties as proposed would range from
40 per cent. to los, whereas they had
heretofore been free He moved to
strike out the entire section.
Mr.. Pettigrew said the committee
amendments were evidently aimed at
the Japanese mating, which could not
be produced here. The purpose there
fore evidently was to force the patron
age of the American linOleum trust for
the manufacture OF an inferior and
different article. This was not an in
FAINT industry. The rates were prohib.
tive, and the entire article affected was
one in which the poorer classes were
specially interested. Unsupported Mr..
Vests amendment, as did Messrs.
Jones and White.
MIR. Mantle said the expectation of
grain and products to Japan from this
country was almost wholly dependent
upon the carrying vessels being able to
secure return cargoes.. These cargoes
we're largely composed of Japanese
mattings.
! Mr.. Jones read letters TO show that
no Minnesota flax had been manufac-
tured in Belfast and saying that the
flax received was Of poor quality.
On a roll call the Senate accepted
Mr.. Vests amendment striking out the
paragraph in regard to floor mattiDgs,
the vote standing 25 to o. Messrs.
Carter and Hansborough straight re-
publicans), Mantle, Pettigrew and Tell
or (silver republicans voted with the
democrats on this motion.
The result created slight stir in
the chamber as it was the first substan-
tial triumph OF the opposition to the
tariff bill. The effect is to restore floor
mattings manufactured from straw or
other vegetable substance to the free
list.
When the paragraph relating to oil
cloth for floors was reached the oppo-
sition was renewed and after the
amendment had been perfected by the
republicans Mr.. Jones moved to strike
out the paragraph and insert the pro.
vision of the Wilson law.
Messrs. Jones, Vest and Pettigrew
supported the motion to substitute in
brief speeches. They charged that the
rates proposed amounted to fully 145
per cent. and that all the oilcloth
praduced in this country Was manufac.
tur"d nv trusts.
Mr.. Pettigrew took advantage of the
opportunity to inject some references to
the late campaign into the controversy.
He said he thought he understood the
motive of the committee as it would be
invidious to leave the oilcloth trust un-
protected (; that there had apparently
been dilgent search for articles made
by trusts and their protection provided
for at rates ranging from so to $50 per
cent. This result was, he asserted, due
largely to the fact that the trusts had
all supported the republican ticket in
the late campaign but whether the
action was due more to gratitude for
past assistance or to anticipation of
future help he could not say. He as
serted that in the campaign the repub.
lcan party had transported free OF
charge voters from any part OF the
country to any other part. He consid-
cred it fortunate that the republicans
were bound by an iron clad caucus
agreement, otherwise this outrageous
plundering in the interest OF the
trusts" must fail.
Mr.. White contended that the pro-
posed duty ON jute bags would cost the
farmers of the Pacific coast $500, 900
per annum. He asserted that the duty
on wheat was a delusion and that in
putting these bags on the free list an
opportunity was afforded to do the
farmer substantial service.
ROBBED IN CULPEPER.-A well-dress.
ed stranger named J. J. Murray, went