The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-09
Senate Bill Amended by Inserting TWEEN
" Per Cent, Import Duty.
OPINIONS DIFFER AS TO THE EFFECT
Amendment Adopted ora Motion of
Rcpu blicnns-An Opposing Votes
Democratic Except Onc-Susnr
Schedule Passed Over.
Washington, June S.. 1897

lOu, Julie 1915.
BY the decisive vote OF ~ 10 10 the
Senate to-day adopted an amendment
TO the tariff bill placing raw cotton, the
great product OF the South, on the du-
table list at 20 per cent advalorem. 1t
is the first time in the history of tariff
legislation that n duty on cotton has
been Incorporated in q bill. The amend
ment was proposed by Mr.. Bacon (Deln)
Of Georgia on his individual responsible
ity, and without the approval of the
Finance Committee, which thus far has
been requisite to the success Of every
amendment except Il minor one, which
went through by default.
The amendment led TO 4 spirited de-
bate, Democratic Senators disclosing q
wide difference OF views and at times cx-
changing sharp personal criticisms. On
the final vote six Democrats-Bacon and
Clay of Georgia. McEnery of Louisiana,
McLaurln ana Tillman Of South Caro-
lima, and Rawiins Of Utah-voted with
the Republicans for the Bacon amend
met,Whilc the negative vote. was solidiy
Democratic, with one eXception--l[yle
tPop). The debate on cotton took UP
the most of the day, ana but little pro-
gress was madc on the bill. Early in the
day the sugar schedule was passed over
and the agricultural schedule taken up.
Less than two pages We're disposed OF
during the day. The graph on cat
tie went over but the balance of the
Ing paragraph 22S was agreed TO as re-
ported, all amendments, except that Of
Mr. Bacon, being rejected.
When the tariff bill was taken up ut
22O y. m, Mr.. Allison Uowa) requested
that the sugar schedule be passed. stat
Ing that it would be considered to-mor-
row. The agricultural schedule being
next In order, Il number Of amendments
were offered by Democratic Senators:
but all were rejected until Mr.. Bacon
offered his amendment to be known as
paragraph 22al2, placing q duty OF 90 per
cent. al valorcm on raw cotton. Mr..
Bacon said that the omission OF this ar
ticle from the dUtiablc list was n viola
zion OF the principle Of the Democratic
platform that tariff taxation should be
so imposed as to discriminate against
no section. The tariff as 4 whole fell
like dead weight on the producer OF cot
ton, raising the price of all articles es-
sential TO his use. and yet on his article
OF production, raw cotton, he was left
In the lurch Last year the statistics
showed that $4,000, 900 pounds of cotton
were imported into the United States
valued at $1,000, 600. The arrivals Of
foreign cotton were constantly !ncrcas-
Ing. Mr.. Bacon said he addressed him
self particularly to his Democratic asso-
clates.
Why should cotton be excluded from
the benefits of n revenue duty II all
other agricultural products were to have
the benefit OF such duties Under the
rule or consistency there should he q
unanimous vote in favor of 4 tariff OH
cotton.
Mr.. Platt OF Connecticut, who was in
charge or the bill, pending Mr. Ali
sons absence. indicated q readiness for
q vote favorable TO tho amendment. and
Mr.. Chandler Qtep.), Of New Hampshire,
added:
I'VE are just dying to support the
senator's amendment"
Mr.. Chiffon Dcm) OF Texas. said the
amendment would not raise the price
OF cotton. According to the Georgia
Senator 0acon) there would be no dimi-
mutton of the importat ton of Egyptian
cotton SO that the only effect would be
TO give additional revenue on cotton
without taking any competition from
the foreign cotton.
Mr.. Chiffon said it was impossible to
Increase the price of cotton by a tariff
SO long as it was necessary to find a
market for the surplus of American
cotton, as was now the case in Liver
pool or in any other foreign market. It
was with cotton as with wheat-thc for
elgn price would fix the domestic price.
Hence tho only result would be to in
crease the price on cotton goods.
Alr. Vest said the amendment would
be adopted as It was in the line of in
creased rates OF duty and would receive
Republcan support for that reason, and
because It was calculated TO cause dis
sension In the Democratic party He
claimed that the addition OF the 20 per
cent. provided would simply add that
amountto the finished product. He took
issue with Mr. Bacon on the contention
that the amendment was in line with
the platform adopted at Chicago. Of"
ne said. II thought the platform meant
what the Senator from Georgia says it
does, l would have not have touched it
any moro than I would have touched q
rattlesnake, knowing there was no whis-
key within hundred miles God help
US If the new eva'ngel IS to prevail" He
expressed surprise ut Mr.. Bacon's
statement that the cotton manufactu-
rers needed assistance. lie said it had
generally been understood that the cot
ton manufacturers were exceptionally
prosperous
In conclusion Mr.. Vest said that he
mad. as Southern Democrat. always
pointed with pride to the fact that cot
Ton was admitted free OF duty, as show
Ing the Democratic consistency in sup
porting free raw materials. Hence his
disappointment that this amendment
Should be proposed by a Southern SEN
ator, as It would Justify and open the
way FOR duty on wool lumber and all
pther articles classed as raw materials.
CIndeed, he exclaimed. 1T leayes us
pakSd without arguments"