Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-15
55th CONGRESS.
Test of Strength on the Tariff
Bill in the Senate.
Vests Revolution Declaring the Re-
troactive Clause Illegal
Is Referred to Finance Committee by Close
Vote OF "a TO 23.

Washington, April 14.-The first
skirmish on the tariff question occurred
in the Senate, today. 1t was followed
by a vote which served as test Of
strength of the various elements of the
Senate. The vote occurred on a motion
by Morrill,, Rep, Vermont, chairman
CT committee on finance, to refer a res
olution by Vest, one of the Democratic
members of that committee. This
made the issue between representatives
of the two leading elements in the Sen
ate. Aside from this the resolution
was in the nature of criticism OF Sec
Gage and declared illegal his recent
order rela tive to goods imported after
April /, when according to the retro
active clause Of the pending Dingley
bill, the new tariff rates are to apply.
MONTHS motion prevailed by the
close vote Of a to 90. The affirmative
vote was given by Republicans. inelud-
ing one Silver Republican, Mantle OF
Montana. The negative vote was made
up of Democrats. Populists and Two
Silver Republicans. Pettigrew Of South
Dakota, and Cannon of Utah.
Prior to the vote a breezy discussion
occurred on several phases Of the tariff
The subject came W first when Mantle
presented "a memorial from the wool
growers urging ample protection TO their
industry. lie referred In this connection
to reports that Secretary North of the
Wool Manufacturers Association, was
acting as secretary Of the finance com
mittee. Morrill, denied the statement.
saying the gentleman had been sum
moned as an expert to give Information
on the wool question. Hoar of MaSsd-
chusctts. Hawley OF Connecticut. and
Gray of Delaware. participated in tie
debate
Morrill, succeeded in cutting OFF the de-
bate by calling for the regular order but
il soon broke out again on Vest s resoiu-
ton directed against the secretary of the
treasury. Vest declared that the retro
active clause of the pending tariff bill
was Illegal and beyond the power of Con-
gress. lie characterized Sec. Cages re-
cent order as a notification of the exist
ing law and moved to intimidate the i'm
porters of foreign goods Morrills mo-
ton to refer the resolution to the iinanca
committee brought the question TO an -
sue with the result stated.
Morgan of Alabama. endeavored 20 have
a time fixed FOR the nnal vote on his
cuban resolution. Hoar objected and
would be pressed daily until hnal vote
was reached.
When the Indian appropriation bin was
taken up, German of Maryland. criticize
the course of those in charge of these
measures and pressing excessive appro-
priatiOns when the Senate committees
were so ulSCr2dDlZtU lfldt proper care Ipl
economy could not be exercised.
An unexpected traiff vote was nartici
pated in the Senate, today. by Senator
Morrill's motion to refer to the finance
committee the Vest resolution declaring
the order of Secretary Gage as to the
retroactive clause OF tarin Illegal yet
and nay vote was taken and Morrii'S
motion to refer prevailed: Yeas, q; nays,
..
Morgan then moved to proceed with
the Cuban resolution. Hoar urged that
the bankruptcy bill should be taken up.
Morgan thereupon asked unanimous con-
sent that the vote be taken. tomorrow.
Hoar said this would be hardly fair after
Morgan had spoken four days. to ask for
n vote which would allow only one day
for speeches against the resolution.
Morgan was willing to defer the vote
until the next day. Friday, but Hoar said
OF the senator from Maine, Hale.
Then | will move this resolution in op-
position to your bankruptcy bill said
Morgan.
Efforts to fix time for a vote were
unavailing and Morgan finally gave
notice that he would call up the resolu-
ton daily until a vote was reached.
The Indian appropriation bill was then
taken up and afforded German of Mary
land, opportunity to speak of the DIS
organized condition of the Senate. The
President had stated in his inaugural
address that the condition of the country
required the StriCtest governmental
economy And yet it was proposed to pass
appropriation bills aggrcEatinS more than
S13 600 600 without the consideration of a
duly organized committee of the Senate.
German said that careful consideration
of these bills might lead TO their reduc-
ton of $1,000. 600. Appropriations were
piling up increasing and doubling within
the last II years. until the stupendous
figures of 81 900 600 900 for Il single Con-
gress had been reached II was time to
call Il halt in these vast expenditures.
The formal consideration of the Indian
bill was then proceeded with. The COM
mittee amendment opening the Dncom-
paghrc Indian re servation to public entry
led TO long contest point of order
was made against il by Jones of Arkan-
sas. and pending the decision. the Sen
ate at p. M. went into executive scs-
sion and soon after adjourned.