Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-23
General Discussion of Protection in
the Senate.
Mr.. BRYAN'S GIFT TO THE POPULISTS
An Explanation and Denial by Mr..
Allen.
TRIBUTE TO VICTORIA

feature of the opening prayer before the
Senate today by the acting chaplain, Rev.
Hugh Johnston. I'VE thank Thee" he in
voked. "for the demonstrations OF joy,
both national and international, over her
majesty. Queen Victoria's, completion of
her long and illustrious reign of sixty
years; we thank Thee for her exemplary
life and personal qualities, as wife, as
queen. as mother; that her court has been
pure and her throne without a stain:
thank Thee for all the achievements of
the AnSlo-Saxon race during this auspi-
cious period of the worlds history in all
avenues of literature. art, science: for the
cordial relations between the two great
nations. one in language, literature, laws,
civil and religious liberty. May they be
courd together in perpetual bonds Of
peace"
Bryan's Offer to the POpulists.
Mr.. Allen (Neb) then arose to a ques-
ton Of personal privilege in connection
with the conduct Of the last campaign
There was much interest in the statement,
as Mr.. Allen was chairman of the populist
national convention. Mr.. Allen read
published press dispatch from Lewiston
Me-. stating that Prof. l.. c. Bateman,
candidate of the peoples party of Maine
Tor governor last year. was out in an at
Mr.. Bryan's gift of $1,000 to the populist
national committee was with the distinct
understanding that no action against fu
sion should be taken by the populist ma
tional convention.
Mr.. Allen made sweeping denial. He
said Mr.. Bryan had determined to divide
the royalties on his book, and in doing
he allotted $1,000 to the populist party.
The draft was sent to Mr.. Allen, but the
chairman of the populist national commit
tee (Senator Butler of North Carolfna) de-
clined to accept it. Thereupon. at the sug
gestion of Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Allen invested
the amount. to be used in the interest of
bimetallism.
Mr.. Allen declared that the statement
that any agreement existed as to fusion in
connection with the gift was IAN abs olute
and unqualified falsehood." There had
never been. he declared. attempt to
fuse the parties, either nationally or local.
Mr.. Allen also specifically denied the
(Allen's) name to the list appended TO the
letter of notification. The senator closed
with high tribute to Mr.. Bryan and an
arrangement Of Prof. Bateman.
Mr.. Butler stated briefly that the offer
was made to him. but he felt impelled to
decline it. He approved Mr.. Bryan's mo-
tive. but felt that the acceptance might
be open to misconstruction. The offer ad
beeen made. he said, without any condition,
express or implied
Wool Duties Taken Up.
The consideration of the wool schedule
of the tariff bill was then resumed
Paragraph 3d. relating to third-class
wools. was taken up. There was consider
able opposition to the proposed rates, the
debate being largely technical lines
relative to grades of wool
Mr. Vest CMo) pointed out conflicts be-
tween the views of Messrs Lawrence and
Justice, two wool experts and said that
IL these recognized authorities were so far
apart. how could the layman be expected
to get at the truth?
Mr.. Rawlins NUtah) put a number of ques-
lions to Mr.. Vest to the general doctrine
of protection. to which the Missouri sena-
tor replied that he believed in a tariff for
revenue only, without protection to any
body u''less it became absolutely neces-
sary as an incident to raising revenue.
Tariff and Price.
Mr.. Mills CTex) said it was incompre-
hensible to him why wool men demanded
high duties in the face of experience that
the price of wool could not be raised by
the tariff. any more than the price Of cot
ten could be increased by a duty. The
price of wool had been falling constantly
for forty years, in spite of tariff rates. He
quoted statistics showing that wool had
fallen after the imposition of the Mckin-
ley rates, and had risen after the Wilson
provision for free wool. This was proof in
Contestible. he declared, that tariff duties
could not affect the price of wool.
AT one point of Mr. Mills remarks Mr.
Mantle nterjected the remark: "Gener
ally speaking, the senator will not ques-
ton that the imposition of a duty has
raised the price to the wool grower"
Il have never been able to discover it,"
answered Mr.. Mills.
Mr.. Mantle asserted that this general
benefit to the wool grower was incoutesti-
BILE, certainly as to Montana growers, and
he believed it was SO generally.
Mr.. Mills maintained that he was speak,
ing from tables of prices. which consti-
tuted record not to be impeached under
| the rules of evidence. by general opinions
He, proceeded TO argue the benefits &C
cruing to the mass of consumers from
free wool. He also argued that the en-
tire benefit of duties on woods accrued to
the wool manufacturer and not to the
grower
Mr.. Carter OIont) said it was a fact
beyond dispute that during the last year
ceiving cents per pound, while under
the Mckinley law they were receiving
IA cents.
"And the difference between 6 cents and
IA cents is the difference between destruc-
ton and prosperity" declared Mr.. Carter.
When Mr. Mills quoted certain low
rates on Montana wool under the Mckin-
ley law Mr.. Carter responded that these
were quoted at time when the passage .
the Wilson bill was anticipated, serving
to send down the prices.
Mr.. Gray (Del.) SAID ne was cOnnrme1
in his Judgment of the injustice Of high
wool duties by the conflicts between the
wool grower and the wool manufacturer
echoed in the Senate
"Why not leave this to the commercial
activities of a free and enlightened peo-
nle" asked the senator instead of dis
turping natural and normal conditions?"
Mr. Gray declared that 1t was time for
a revolt against the demands of the Wool
Growers Association
The senator referred to the "unseemly
sight of greedy interests contending here
for the amount of benefits they were to
receite. instead of leaving the representa-
tives of the people to legislate for the
whole people Mr.. Gray closed with an
arraignment Of the policy of tsolating this
country from the advantages other cOun-
tries and climates could extend.
Mr.. Quay moved to disagree to the COM
mittee amendments to paragraph 357. The
House rate was 81 per cent ad valorem on
third-class wool valued at IL cents or less.
| The committee rate was 4 cents per pound
| on third-class woods valued at 10 cents OF
| less. The effect of Mr.. Quay's motion was
to go back to the House rate of 80 per cent
| ad valorem.
Regulating Hawaiian Annexation.
At this point Mr.. Morgan Of Alabama So
cured recognition for the Introduction Of a
| bill to regulate the annexation of Hawait
! to the United States. Without amendment
| the bill was referred to the committee on