Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-06-28
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

authorizing the PreSlQen6 10 lnVlte
foreign governments to participate in
the trans Mississippi exposition at
Omaha was agreed to.
The tariff bill was then taken up.
The purpose bad been to take up the
paragraphs relating to hides, but owing
to the absence and illness of Mr..
Smith of New Jersey, who is interested,
Mr.. Allison consented to let the subject
go over.
The paragraphs on gypsum and clays
or earth went over.
On the iron ore paragraph the pend
ing provision gave duty of 40 cents
per ton on iron ore, including manga
niferous iron ore and the dross or re.
siduum from burnt pyr.tes, with pro.
viso relating to the account to be taken
of moisture in weighing the ore.
Amendments were agreed to, adding
to the first clause of the paragraph as
reported manganese ore 81 per ton !"
also at the end of the proviso "basic
Stag, ground or ungromd, 81 per ton. u
At Mr.. Quay's request the tax of one
cent was restored as tn, duty on iron
bars, etc, in addition 10 the rates on
plates, etc.
At this point Mr.. Smith came On the
floor. 1t was decided u go on with the
leather schedule. MI Allison pro-
posed a change in the paragraph relating
to hides, making the rate 20 per cent.
a valorem instead of 19cents per pound,
aud also striking out tie proviso relat-
ing to drawbacks.
The paragraph as amended reads,
"Hides of cattle, riw or uncured,
whether dry, sailed Or picked, 20 per
cent. ad valorem."
Mr.. Smith stated il response to ques.
tons that the proposed 20 per cent. ad
valorem was much greater that the II
cents specific duty, being about 4 cents
per pound by ;he ad valorem rate.
Mr.. Platt inserpose1 the suggestion
that he had 5elegraohed to the New
York custom house il reference to the
importation OF hides, aud had received
an answer stating that the importation
in the last II months was 70,000,00
pounds of the value of 81 100000 and
that the price of French green hides
averaged about 10 CENTS pound and
the. South American hides about five
cents.
Mr.. Smith, who was indisposed
from slight illness, vas recognized for q
prepared speech. Iefore beginning it,
he referred to some general subjects,
including the elevation of MIR. Hobart,
from the Senator'S State to the vice
presidency and the inaction of the
House OF Rspresen atives on the Cuban
resolution. Mr.. Smith spoke of the
republican maiorit- given last Novem-
Der, due in large part, be said, to the
wishes OF the people OF the State to pay
tribute to one of their own people.
The Senator regarded it as remark
able in view of tn, national platform
promises on Cuba and other subjects
that this extra session had been called to
pass tariff bill, which could have been
considered with bitter advantage at
the regular session. Referring to Cuba,
MIR. Smith spoke of the remarkable
fact that resolution recognizing the
bslligerancy of tn Cubans had been
passed by the Sente and sent to that
catafalque or toml the House of Re.
representatives.. to b buried by repub-
lican house, republican speaker, at
the dictation of q rpublican president.
1t was an insult to he American people,
which they would rebuke at the polls
n ,xt November.
Mr.. Smith then turned to his pre-
pared speech, butt lust begun when
he paused and took his seat, not feel
ing equal to the Task Of proceeding.
He said he would 6 on in FIVE minutes,
and in order to givethe Senator time to
recuperate, Mr.. Vet went on with
speech against th' committee rates.
Mr.. Smith remained in his seat, show
ing no ill-efects be9nd those of slight
and temporary fainhess.
Mr.. Vest reviewet the legislation on
leather and hides and presented let
ter written by Jane G. Blaine to Mr..
Mckinley when tn eMcKinley bill was
being framed, protesting against duty
on hides as slap n The face of the
South Americans, ad as likely to legis-
late the republican ,arty out OF power.
The Senator argul that q duty on
hides could not ad'ance the price OF
cattle to farmers, g hides were only
a bi. product of the attic, and moreover
the price of cattle yas fixed absolute
ly with the power o put the price up
or down by the BIZ -Four combination
at Chicago.
When Mr.. Vest spoke of oppressive
action by Mr. armour to compel
butchers to use BIZ dressed beef, Mr..
Allen remarked hat the evidence
seemed sufficient ftr an indictment and
why, then, was notsomething done to
ward prosecution.
This developed 4 warm controversy
between Mr.. Hoar Ind Mr.. Allen, as to
the right of federal prosecution for an
offense wholly Nithin State lines,
which at times bec.me rather personal.
By this time Mr.. Smiths temporary
faintness had passed and he resumed
his speech.
Mr.. Smiths rebrence to trusts led
Mr.. Stewart to folbw with an extend
ed arraignment If the money trust,
which, he ASSERTED, was the worst OF
all trusts. Mr.. Stewart argued also
that if there was to be protective
tariff bill ali sections should share in
the advantages il gave. Incidentally
Mr.. Stewart paid tribute to the Chi
cago platform ano said be supported 1t
throughout.
MIR. Allen said hat while not an ad-
yocate ola gene,al protective system,
vet he concurred viii the view that if