The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-09
RAW COTTON IN A NEW ROLE.
SENATE VOTES AN IMPORT DUTY OF
20 PER CENT. ADVALOREM.

Senator Bacon offers the Amend
ment which Puts the Staple in the
Protected Class-SenntOrs Clay,
McLaurin and TilIman and Pritch-
ard stand by Him-SeverRI Demo-
cratic Senator's Protest Against the
Change of Front and All the DEM
Ocrats Except six Vote Against the
Proposition.
Washington, June S.-Senator Pritchard
is largely responsible for the 20 per cent.
duty on raw cotton.
The South Carolina senator offered an
amendment several days ago, pleading for
a duty of IL cents per pound on raw
cotton.
To-day Senator Bacon of Georgia Of
fered an amendment providing for a 20 per
cent. ad valorem duty on the same ar
ticle
One of the mast interesting details of
the session followed and when the vote
was taken cotton was king,
While Senators Blacon and Clay Of
Georgia, McLaurin and Tiliman of South
Carolina were vigorously urging a duty on
cotton Senator Pritchard, who, under the
caucus gag, was not permitted to partic-
ipate in the debate quietly conferred with
the republican members of the finance
committee and obtained their
consent to favor this amend
ment He hustled around on
the republican side and finally secured the
solid vote of his party for a duty on cot
ton. He then went on to Senator Bacon
and informed him quietly that his amend
ment would carry as soon as the ratio
could be taken, and the result showed that
his spell of the Senate was correct.
The rice schedule as adopted by the
House viii be substituted for the Sen
ate schedule tomorrow when the vote is
| reached.
Washington June S.-By the decisive
vote of AZ to 10, the Senate to-day adopted
an amendment to the tariff bill placing
raw cotton, the great product of the south,
on the dutiable list at 20 per cent ad val
orem. 1t is the first time in the history
Of tariff legislation that a duty on cotton
has been incorporated in bill The
amendment was proposed by Mr.. Bacon
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 a minor one which
went through by default.
! The amendment led to a spirited debate,
democratic senators disclosing a wide diff
! ference of views and times exchanging
! sharp personal criticisms. On the final
vote six democrats, Messrs. Bacon and
| Clay of Georgia, McEnery, McLaurin and
Tillman of South Carolina and Rawlins
of Utah, voted with the republicans for
the Bacon amendment, while the negative
vote was solidly democratic, with one ex-
ception, Mr.. Kyle, pop.
The debate on cotton took up most Of the
day, and but little progress was made on
| the bill. Early in the day, the sugar
! schedule was passed over and the agricult-
| ural schedule taken up. Less than two
| pages were disposed of during the day.
! The paragraph on cattle went over but
| the balance Of the agricultural schedule
| up to and including paragraph 22S was
| agreed to as reported. all amendments eX-
| cept that Of Mr.. Bacon being rejected.
When the tariff bill was taken UP at
! 1920 O'clock Mr.. Allison, rep, of Iowa, re-
| Quested that the sugar schedule he passed,
stating that it would be considered to-
| morrow.
The agricultural schedule being next a
number of amendments were offered by
democrats, but all were rejected, until
| Mr. Bacon offered his amendment, to be
| known as paragraph 225i2, placing a duty
| of 20 per cent. ad valorem on raw cotton.
| Mr.. Bacon said the omission of this article
from the dutiable list was a violation Of
~ L. al,
that tariff taxation should be so imposed
as to discriminate against no section. The
| tariff as a whole, fell like dead weight
| on the producer of cotton, raising the
| price of all articles essential TO his use
| and yet, on his article Of production, raw
cotton. he was left in the lurch." Last
| year the statistics showed that 100000
pounds Of cotton were imported into the
United States. valued at S6OO0,OOO. The ar
| rivals of foreign cotton We're increasing
constantly. Mr.. Bacon said he addressed
| himself particularly to his democratic as
sociates. Why should cotton be excluded
| from the benefits Of revenue duty II all
other agricultural products were TO have
the benefit of such duties? Under the rule
! of consistency there should be q unani-
nous vote In favor Of a duty on cotton.
Mr.. Platt, rep, Of Connecticut, who was
in charge of the bill pending Mr.. Allison 8
/ absence, indicated readiness for vote
r
! Chandler. rep, OF New Hampshire. added
1--WE are just dying to support the sena-
| tors amendment"
Mr.. Chiffon. dem. OF Texas. said the
amendment would not raise the price Of
cotton. According 10 the Georgia senator
| (Mr Bacon) there would be no diminution
OF the Importation Of Egyptian cotton, 40
/ that the only effect would be 70 give ad-
| ditional revenue on cotton without taking
away the competition from foreign cot
/ ton"
Mr.. Chiffon said II was impossible 10 IN
crease the price OF cotton by tariff. so
/ long as II was necessary 10 find a market
for the surplus OF American cotton, as
was now the case, IN Liverpool. or In any
othor foreign market. II was with cotton
as with wheat-the foreign price would FIX
| the domestic price. Hence the only re-
suit would be TO Increase the price on cot
ton goods
Mr.. Vest said the amendment would be
adopted as II was on the line OF increased
rates OF duty and would receive republic
can support for that reason and because
u was calculated 10 cause dissenson in
the democratic party. lie claimed that