The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-19
Democratic Split ON the Tariff Ques-
tiOn Widened by bacon, Vest, Ar
kansas Jones and TiIIman.
FEATURES OF THE DEBATE
TARIFF BILL NOW EXPECTED TO
BECOME LAW BY MIDDLE OF JULY.
Inconsistencies of the New England
and New York Leather Lobby-An
Anti-Trust Amendment.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.


WASHINGTON, June 1S.-The country
will be safe (barring accidents) in assuming
that the new tariff law will be in operation
by July 10, and that it will be rid of Con-
gress with its agitations by that date. This
estimate carries with it the certainty that
there will be no acion the Hawaiian
annexation treaty at this special session.
Great headway is being made with the tar
in bill, despite the lapse of to-day, and Re-
publican senator's feel confident that ten
days will cover the remaining time for its
consideration in the Senate. Informal con-
ferences are being held nightly between the
men who win compose the Republican end
of thet conference committee and a week
will be enough TO allow for the measure in
conference.
The New England and New York leather
lobby is the funniest thing in Washington.
1t has established headquarters in an office
building on r street, not far from the Eb-
bitt House, which is under the direction OF
Mr.. Sheehan, the New York Tammany
boss. Mr.. Sheehan is supported by great
array of talent, composed of leading leather
and shoe manufacturers of the East About
80 per cent of them are ardent protection
lists and have In the past been heavy con-
tributing members to national campaign
funds for the propagating of protection
thories They believe in putting duties on
practically everything except hides. Their
inconsistencies have seriously handicapped
their efforts and diminished the force of
their arguments on congressman. Never
theless the leather lobby is making hard
fight and their headquarters appears to be
quite popular, especially so since it has be-
come known that champagne Is the ordi-
nary tipple A caller there must be very
uninfuential who is rot invited into the
back room to participate in bottle of the
insidious beverage. The chances are very
strong, notwithstanding the presence Of
these distinguished importers and manufao-
turers. that the Senate proposition of tax
on the importation of hides will be adopted.
DIRTY LINEN" WASHED.
The debate in the Senate to-day drifted
into political channels, Senators Bacon,
Vest Jones of Arkansas and Tillman TAX
ing part in an exposition of Democratic
doctrine on the tariff. 1t led to several live
ly exchanges, during which the cleaning
of political dirty linen was frequently
referred to- Mr.. Tillman's remarks were
made with his characteristic vehemence,
and at one time he frankly stated con-
cerning the tariff that If there was to be
a stealing he wanted his share for South
Carolina. Late in the day Mr.. Morgan
proposed a sweeping amendment to place a
10 per cent ad valorem duty on all articles
now on the free list, with a few stated ex-
ceptions. In supporting the amendment
Mr.. Morgan called attention to the singular
fact that the income tax feature of the
Wilson bill is not repealed and can be en-
forced by change in the personnel of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
At the opening of the Senate Schedule J,
features thereof. was taken up. Mr.. Vest
made a test contest at the outset, moving
to strike out the first paragraph FLAX
straw at IS per ton. He said the whole
flax schedule was based on the idea that
we could produce the flax, but hei denied
Which i i4H the lax for linen @ @ could be success
fully produced and he declared that the
Minnesota flax had not proven satisfactory.
The amendment was rejected-1S to 2S-
Mr.. McEnery voting with the Republicans.
Mr. Allison, in charge of the bill, with
drew the Senate amendment on flax not
hacked or dressed, leaving the House rate
of. / cent per pound stand. He also with
drew the committee amendment on dressed
flax, leaving the House rate of cents.
ut is evident" remarked Mr.. Jones' of
Arkansas that all the committee reduc-
tions are to be abandoned and the chairman
may as well move to accept the higher
House rates in bulk" In further criticising
the flax paragraph Mr.. Vest ironically re-
ferred to that era of prosperity which had
been Officially and enthusiastically an
nounced" In a recent prayer by the chap
lain Of the Senate, IAN emissary or ProVl-
Mr.. Davis said the flax production of the
Northwest was demonstrated success. lie
presented samples of the article, produced
in Minnesota, Michigan and the Dakotas.
PETTIGREW STIRS A HORNETS S NEST.
Mr. Pettigrew declared that the proposed
rates ought to be doubled as an encourage
ment to the fiourishing flax industry of
the Northwest Mr.. Pettigrew referred to
the action of the Senate in placing a duty
on raw cotton. Southern senator's had done
this to keep out Egyptian cotton and yet
the New England manufacturer had been
given a compensatory duty to bring in
Egyptian cotton, SO that, declared the SEN
ator, all that was accomplished was to help
Eastern Republicans break up the solid
South.
This brought a response from Mr.. Bacon,
who took the lead in the contest for a duty
on raw cotton. He did not believe the cot
ton manufacturer should receive compensa-
tory duty to offset the duty on raw cotton,
as the manufactures already had ample pro-
lection There was fragrant discrimination,
he said between the raw products of the
farmers of the South and thnse OF the
North, the cotton bagging and cotton ties
used by the South being taxed while the
binding twine used by me Nortn was t%ree. %
the committee hoped before the Senate was
through with the bill that a just equili-
brum would be established.
Mr. Bacon had some sharp and good-na-
tured sparring with Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Vest
over their positions that tariff rates should
be limited to revenue purposes. And yet,
he said these senators believed in compen-
satory duties TO the manufacturer which
were not based on revenue, but were pure
ly an additional protection.
Mr. Vest Immediately declared his oppoSi-
ton TO compensatory duties.
Mr. Jones said that he opposed a tax on
raw materials. but when such a tax was
imposed then the manufacturer was bound
TO have compensation. There was an ex-
citing interruption, when Mr.. Bacon criti-
cised the position of some of his associates
in not favoring q revenue duty on raw ma
terals.
MIR. Vest sprang TO his feet and with
great Vehemence exclaimed: This is very
delectable TO Republican senators Their
hearts are cheered and / can see their eyes
gleam" He had tefrained thus far. he said.
from exposing Democratic discords, but
since the senator from Georgia had gone
into this lavatory for washing Democratic
dirty iinen'a he (Vest) would ask his asso-
Ciates a few questions.
Mr. Vest was about to put q series OF
sharp interrogatories. but Mr.. Bacon de-
murred He did not like the idea he said.
of being put on the witness stand by his
Democratic associates and being put
through course OF categorical questions.
Mr. Vest whose manner had been intense-
L.. est sasH ha Q4va ha1