The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-09
q s%EMI-wEEKLY MESSENGER, FRIDAY. July Q, 1897

that ii possessed strength enough to
prevent wood alcohol from being placed
on a footing with grain alcohol and of
preventing a reduction of the tax on
distilled spirits" The power of these
trusts. Senator Teller said. would con-
tinue if they were appealed to, as they
were last fall. for larger contributions
than had ever been obtained before in
the political history Of the country.
And that money had been used, not for
legitimate election purposes but to cor
rupt and intimidate the voters.
Senator Lindsay, Of Kentucky, fol-
lowed with a severe arraignment of the
wood alcohol trust.
After some remarks betwee Senator
Stewart in opposition to the pending
Spooner commission amendment, Sena-
tor Allen. of Nebraska. offered some
amendments to the amendment so as
10 provide that the president shall Sc
lect the general appraisers, not more
than one Of whom shall be of the same
political party, with the advice and
consent of the senate.
A spirited debate followed, partici-
pated in by Senators Spooner. White,
Caffery. Allen, and Morgan. The lat
ter apotheosized independence. aging
this national holiday should inspire
men toward independent action. "And
/ would make it a day of independence
for those prosecuted people of Cuba"
he added. Before this day closes we
should give to those people the recogni-
ton they look for from us. But we will
not do it. No, there are political debts
to pay with a tariff, and we must let
the Cubans die and be destroyed by the
cohorts of Weyler until the very stencil
comes across the gulf and assails our
| nOStrilS."
Senator Allison briefly answered the
criticism on the SpOOner amendment;
he said hat in view of the opposition
developed, the committee would with
draw the amendment. as it was not
felt to be sufficiently important to
further delay the bill.
Senator Mantle, Of Montana, offered
an amendment reducing the tax on dis
titled spirits to 20 cents a gallon.
Senator Allison stated that the
finance committee had fully considered
this proposition and had reached the
conclusion that the time was inoppor-
tune for bringing it before the senate.
The amendment was rejected % to Al.
Senator Mills proposed an amendment
placing an internal revenue tax of 5
per cen on all articles of manufacture
produced in the United States from
iron, steel, brass, copper, wool, cotton,
SILK, sugar, etc, the proceeds to be used
in reducing the interest-bearing debt
rejected 10 to SO.
a new amendment by Senator Nor
gan was agreed to without OppositiOn.
Authorizing the president, when he is
satisfied that it is to the public good,
to suspend the operation of the law as
to the discriminating tonnage duty on
sale merchandise or commodities or the
| vessels of foreign nations, carrying the
same.
Senator Mills, of Texas, offered an
amendment providing for a reduction
Of 20 per cent, of the duties provided
in the bill in favor of the countries that
open their minis to the free and unlim-
tied coinage of silver at the ratio of 16
to 1-rejected, &c to 81. Senator Carter,
of Montana, voted with the democrats
and pOpulists in the affirmative and
Senators Caffery, Of Louisiana, and
Gray, of Delaware. with the republi-
cans in the negative.
At $50 o'clock the bill was laid aside
and after an executive session the sem
ate at $40 o'clock p. m, adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
AS soon as the journal was read and
approved, Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader
of the majority, moved a recess until
Wednesday moor
Mr.. Bailey demanded a division and
when the speaker annOunced-yeas,
10, nays, 81; two less than a quorum,
Mr.. Bailey made the point. Our
friends on his side are down town lis
tening to the reading of the declaration
of Independence said he in eXplana-
ton of the vacant seats on the demo-
cans who had not voted announced
their presence and the speaker declared
the motion carried.