Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-07-21
AND CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE
From His Southern Colleagues to Delay the
Final Action
ON THE AMENDED TARIFF MEASURE
Too Hasty Action by the House and Inde-
pendent Action by the Senate Con-
ferces Not Suited to Teller-It
Looks Like Block.

| Washington, July 20.JThe tariff confer
ence report was presented to he senate
today, but little progress was made on it
beyond the formal Il aiding of about two
thirds OF the report. During The day Mr..
Tillman, democrat of Souah Carolina,
openly threatened a filibuster until next
December If cotton bagging and ties were
not resto.-d to the free list but the thre1t
was regarded as somewhat facetious.
The sugar amendments ocGas.oned a long
debate during which Mr.. Allison sta ed
that the conference rates were lowzr than
th5se of the senate and largely a Cod
eession TO the house. Senators Vest,
JONES, Berry and White questioned tshis
sta ement urging that the sugar trusts
secured larger benefits from the confer
ence schedule than from any previously
offered. Th5 lumber amendment was also
offered. The lumber amcndement also
brought out criticism from Senai.ors Tel
Ter ana PettigreW A resolution by Mr..
Morgan of Alabama, was agreed to ask
ing the p9esid MT as to what indemni y,
If any, had the Spanish governments been
asked for for the arrest and Subsequent
expulsion of Samuel Tolon, an American,
from Cuba.
Mr. Allison tn n formally presented the
conference repo;t and asked for its con-
eideration
Mr.. Berry, of Arkansas, interposed the
request that the pending resolution cm-
powerag the presd nj to ,ake steps for
the release of Ona Melton and other
Competitor prisoners be considered. 1t
was more imporsan: to protect American
citizens unjustly held by Spain than to
pass his tariff bill. If this resolution was
mot considered now the tariff discussion
would be cut off. With some reluctance
Mf a lljSDn agreed tD lfl- tho ! f.spllI, lion he
considered with the agreement that th re
should be no debate and an immediate
voc. The important resolution was then
put on ITS final passage and without COM
mens and by unanimous vote was passed
without roll call.
The vice-president announced in re-
sponse to an inquiry by Mr.. Allen, of Ne
braska. that the pending Union Pacific
resolution was then unfinished busins SIS
af1f~would co.ne ap atT2 p.-na- unless dis
placed. This drew from Mr.. Morgan a
statement as to the purpose to have full
discussion of the pending question.
The conference report was then read in
detail. When the first clause was read
Nh Jones, of Arkansas, made an earnest
protest against proceeding on the tech
nical report, without an intelligent ex-
planation of its meaning There had
been no opportunity for the democratic
conferees to consider 1t in committee.
1t had been rushed through the house
in single day, without time for prepar-
alton to discusa 1t there. 1t was due to
the American people, he declared, that
some explanation be given.
The lumber amendment led to animat-
ed debate. Mr.. Teller and Mr.. Vest con-
tended that the 50 rate on white pine and
the retaliatory clause against Canadian
logs in effect permitted a double tax.
Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Dakota Sc
verely criticised the conference amend
mant making personal references to the
Michigan senator He said the So was
designated to benefit few men who own
what standing pine there is in Michigan,
Wisconsin and Minnesota. When the
amendments restoring cotton bagging
and cotton ties to the dutiab1e list were
reached, there was sharp protest from
Senators Jones, Butler, Tillman and Ba-
con-
Mr.. Tillman expressed his Indignation
al the seetionalism which had inspired
the conference committee. He gave no.
tiee to southern senators that If they
would stand by him they could hold the
senate in session until next December,
rather than submit to this change. Mr..
Bacon characterized the restoration of
cotton ties and cotton bagging to the du-
table list a S indefensibe fayoritism of
the north against the south. Replying
to the suggestion of Mr.. Tillman. Mr..
Butler said he stood ready to join in any
movement to hold the senate in session
for week or longer, to prevent the con-
summation of this iniquity against the
south.
II will tell the SENATOR" called back
Mr. Tillman, that / am negotiating with
the senator from Pennsylvania (Quay)
for the speech by which he stopped the
last tariff debate and l may be ready
to start on that speech tomorrow morn
ing"
Mr. Teller criticised the conference
committee for not carrying out the will
af y 10 hiEs a fha GrC fiYa1n
he said, that a committee has surrendered
the interests of the senate without asking
Tor instructions. He had reason to be-
lieve that members of the conference
committee, supposed to represent the sem
ate had gone into the conference and
worked against the senate amendment
on white pine. Mr. Teller declared that
the entire report should be rejected and
sent to committee representing the SEN
ate and carrying out its instructions. Re-
ferring to the bill as a whole the senator
asserted that it was the meanest tariff
ever enacted.
The senate at 5:15 p. M, on motion of
Mr.. Allison. went into executive session
and then adjourned,