The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-01
senate Proceedings.

Washington. June 29-Several hundred
pension bills were reported to the senate
today as the result of the first meeting
of the pension committee since the pres
ent congress assembled. Mr.. Gallinger
of New Hampshire, chairman of the COM
mittee, stated that it had been decided
to report favorably all those bills which
had formerly passed either branch of con-
gress or had been favorably considered in
committee. 81
Three general pension bills were includ-
ed. two of them amending the law of
1890, and another referring to proof in
pension cases.
1t took half an hour to read the list
of private pension bills. When it was
concluded. Mr.. Morgan of Ala bama COM
mented ON the fact that the men and
women named in these bills must wait for
relief. owing to the inactiOn of one of
the branches of congress. AT this time
congress was without the opportunity or
liberty to pass one of these pension bills.
Congress was not even in session, assert
ed Mr.. Morgan. The lawyers of the
country would look into this question and
there was a great deal of trouble ahead
over this question of congress being in
session. AT first Mr.. Morgan urged the
adoption of resolution postponing all
action on pension bills until next Decem-
ber, but he was dissuaded from this, say
ing his main desire was to call the at
tentiOn of pensioners to the manner in
which they were mocked by having bills
reported to an inactive congress.
The tariff bill was then taken up and
paragraph 149, relating to watch move
ments, clocks, ETC., perfected by striking
out the clauses on watches and on jewels
for making watches, and combining the
paragraph to those articles not made of
China, porcelain, etc.
The foregoing changes led to extended
opposition from Mr.. Vest and Mr. Jones
of Arkansas.
Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts answered
that the watch industry had been revO-
lutionized by American machinery He
exhibited Swiss watch which purported
to be of American make, and as such
were invading the American market.
Pineappes were changed to cents per
cubic foot in barrels and packages and
81 per thousand in bulk.
Mr.. Vest asked what climatic reason
justified this heavy duty.
Mr.. Allison responded that Florida pro-
duced pineapples, and great pressure had
been brought to bear for adequate pro-
lection.
The Florida senator's. Mallory and Pas
coe, democrats. explained the recent de-
yelopment of the pineapple industry in
Florida, which caused Mr.. Gray of Del
aware to say in response that it would
have been better had Florida lands been
left in primitive simplicity if their use
for raising pineapples was to be followed
by tax on the bulk of the people.
he lead ore and lead in pigs were then
considered, Mr.. Allen of Nebraska speak
ing at length against the committee rates.
lie argued against the duty of | 1-2
cents IL pound on lead ore. because as
he said. it would operate to keep out the
fiuXing ores of TSIeXico and Canada that
were necessary to the American smelters,
some of which were located in Mr.. AL
lens state.
Mr.. Carter of Montana explained, in
| response to inquiries by Mr.. Allen. that
the house rates had been exceptionally
favorable to white lead, the product of
the trust. whereas the senate rates de-
strOyed the benefits to the lead trust and
increased them to the producers of ore.
He urged that the committee rates were
essential to equalize the difference be-
tween the wages of lead miners in the
United States and Mexico. Mr.. Vest said
there was conflict between the lead
| smelters and the lead mines. and both of
these were heavily represented in his
state. But his vote would be cast in be-
half of the consumer and not for either
Of these conflicting interests. If his state
| expected these interests 70 be defended as
| against those of the people. the great mass
of consumers of lead, then some one must
take his place here. He would not give
a vote, even though two-thirds of the peo-
| pie of Missouri were here asking it. il
| it violated his ideas of justice and equali-
| ty. Mr.. Vest said he would move later
on to reduce the duty on lead ore from
| 1-2 to 3-4 cents n pound, although he
would be glad to go further and see il on
the free list.
Mr.. Rawlins of Utah discussed the
great doctrine of the tariff. arguing that
| the first consideration should be revenue
aud the equalization of the burdens and