The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-03
BILL ALMOST COMPLETED
MORGAN SAYS REClPkOClIA
FEATURE REDEEMS THE BILL.
THE SENATE IN ALL DAY SESSION
Senators Teller and Allison Discuss the Spirit
Feature of the BilI--Mr. Chandler Will
Vote For the Retaliatory
Clause.

ClauSe.
Washington, D. c., July 2.-Reciproc-
ity and retaliation were the two phases
of the tariff bill to occupy the attention
of the Senate today to the exclusion of
all other subjects. Both provisions were
agreed to, although the debate on the
reciprocity clause was protracted to 3
%. m. Shortly before adjournment Mr..
Allison endeavored to secure an agree
ment on the time for a final vote, but Mr..
Teller would not consent to fixing the
time until all proposed amendments had
been submitted to the Senate. AS Mr..
Allison was not prepared to submit these
amendments, he withdrew his request,
and the time for the final vote was left
open, although there is still hope that it
will be reached tomorrow.
The retaliatory clause provides that
whenever any country bestows an ex-
port bounty on any article, then upon
the importation of such articles into the
United States, there shall be levied, in
addition to the duties provided by the
act. an additional duty equal to the
amount of the bounty. The debate on the
section disclosed some differences of
opinion on the Democratic side, Mr.. Gray
of Delaware and Mr.. Lindsay of Ken
lucky opposing it while Mr.. Caffery of
Louisiana supported it as a 1egitima tie
measure of self preservation. Mr.. Gray
dwelt upon the effect of the clause In
evad;ng our treaty with Germany and
Austria. The clause was agreed to 3333-
II Osic iar1a
Caffery and McEnery, voting with the
Republicans in the affirmative. The re-
ciprocity clause empowers the President,
with the advice and consent of the SEN
ate, to make reciprocity treaties giving
20 per cent. reduction in duties on des-
ignated articles, or placing articles on the
free list. The amendment brought out
much opposition, Senators Mills, Vest,
Pettus, Teller and White argueing that
it eyaded the constitutional right of the
House of Representatives to participate
in measures affecting revenue, while
Senators Morgan, Gray and Chandler
defended its legality and propriety. Late
in the day the vote was taken and the
reciprocity clause was agreed to-30-1S,
two Democrats-Gray and Morgan, vot-
ing with the Republicans in the affirma-
tive.
Early in the day Mr.. Wellington, Re
publican, Maryland rising to question
of personal privilege, vehemently upheld
his Senatorial prerOgatiyes in the mat.
ter of Federal appointments.
Mr.. Teller, Colorado, inquired what
the committee or caucus contemplated
doing ON the question of decreasing the
tax on distilled spirits, in view of the
letter written by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
Mr.. Allison answered that the whole
question of distilled spirits had been
gone over. Personally, he believed "a
lower tax would be productive of greater
revenue, but he thought it unwise to go
into the complex question in connection
with this tariff bill.
Mr.. Teller said the letter ~of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury indicated desire
for legislation on this subject. Then the
Senator added: Before this bill is dis
posed Of / will discuss what should be
done in decreasing the tax on spirits.
/ will show that the committee is Civ
ing away two million dollars a month
to the detriment of consumers who bear
the tax burdens, and to the detriment of
honest dealers in distilled spirits"
The considerati ton of the bill then pro-
ceeded.
When the retaliatory clause was
reached, Mr. Chandler, of New Hamp-
shire, said he would vote for it with
extreme reluctance. He had been told
that Germany would begin course OF
commercial warfare against the United
States and he would make sacrifices tt
prevent friction between the Empire o.
Germany and the United States.
There were circumstances now trans
piring, he said, that would make it un
fortunate that commercial conflicts
should arise at this time between the
United States and Germany, France
Senator said he did not see how this re
taliatory clause could be avoided if the
protective character Of the bill was to bt
preserved.
Mr.. Lindsay, of Kentucky, criticised
the amendment, as pure, undisguiset
protection without excuse as a revenue
measure. The Senator criticised his
Democratic associate, Mr.. Caffery, fol
defending this purely protective provi
sion.
Mr.. Caffery defended his position a:
consistent with Democracy and the vot,
was then taken.
Mr.. Pettus, of Alabama, argued tina
the reciprocity paragraph disregarded thu
constitutional rights of the House o1
Representatives.
Mr.. Morgan answered the criticism OF
his associate (Pettus) and others by say
ing that while he shared this view a