The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-23
STRIKES A SNAG.
TARIFF CONFERENCE REPORT
ATTACKED BIZ SENATOR'S.


Summer-The Senate Committee Severe.
~ Criticised for not Carrying out the
VIII of the Senate-The Senate Passes
two Resolutions Regarding Americans
Arrested In Cuba.
Washington. July 2o.-A resolution
by Senator Morgan, Of Alabama, was
agreed to asking the president a. to
what indemnity. if any, had been ask
ed of the Spanish government for the
arrest and subsequent expulsion Of
Samuel T. Tolon, an American citizen,
from Cuba.
Senator Allison then formally pre-
scented the conference report and ask
ed for it's consideration.
Senator Berry, Of Arkansas, inter-
posed the request that the pending
resolution empowering the president to
take steps for the release of Ona Mel
ton and other Competitor prisoners, be
{! considered. He urged that it was more
important to protect American citizens,
unjustly held by Spain, than to pass a
tariff bill. If this resolution was not
considered now, the tariff discussion
| WOulO cut II on.
With some reluctance Senate Alli-
son agreed to let the resolution be con-
sidered, with the agreement that there
should be no debate and an immediate
vote. The important resolution was
then put on it's final passage and with
out comment, and by unanimous vote
was passed without a roll call.
Following is the text of the resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That the president of the
United States be. and he is hereby.
empowered to take such measures as
in his judgment may be necessary to
obtain the release from the Spanish
| government of Ona Melton, Alfredo
Laborde and William Gildea, and the
restoration of the schooner Competitor
to her owners; and to secure this end,
he is authorized and requested to en-
plOy such means and exercise such
| power as may be necessary
The vice president in re-
ponse to an inquiry by Senator AL
len. of Nebraska, that the pending I'm
ion Pacific resolution was the unfin-
ished business and would come up at
2 O'Clock p. M, unless displaced. This
drew from Senator Morgan a state
lICll as u lIC Pun pOSC ~ udNC luI1
discussion of the pending question.
h conference report was then read
in detail. When the first clause was
read, Senator Jones, Of Arkansas, made
an earnest protest against proceeding
on the technical report without an in
telligent explanation on it's meaning.
There had been no opportunity for the
democratic cOnfereeS to consider it in
committee. 1t had been rushed through
the house in a single day without time
for preparation to discuss it there. 1t
was due to the American people, he
declared, that some explanation be
given.
The lumber amendments led to an an
mated debate. Senators Teller and Vest
contended that the 81 rate on white
pine and the retaliatory clause against
Canadian logs in effect permitted a
double tax.
Senator P%ettigrew, Of South Dakota,
severely criticised the conference
amendment, making personal refer
ences to the Michigan senators. He
said the 81 rate was designed to bene-
fit a few men who own what standing
pine there is in Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota.
When the amendments restoring cot
ton bagging and cotton ties to the duti-
able list were reached, there was a
sharp protest from Senators Jones,
Butler, Tillman and Bacon. Senator
Tillman expressed his Indignation at
the sec~tionalism which had inspired
the conference committee. He gave no
tice to southern senators hat if they
would stand by him they could keep
the senate in session until next Deem
Der rather THAI submit to this change.
Senator Bacon characterized the res
toration of cotton ties and cotton bag
ging to the dutiable list as indefensi-
| h10 r yyOrtficna of tho pnrth onoirct tho
south.
Replying to the suggestion of Sen
ator Tillman, Senator Butler said he
stood ready to join in any movement
to hold the senate in session for a week
or longer, to prevent the contamination
of this iniquity against the south.
Il will tell the senator" called back
Senator Tillman, that 1 am not going
with the senator from Pennsylvania
(Quay) for the speech by which he
stopped the last tariff debate, and I
may be ready to start on that speech
tomorrow morning."
Senator Teller criticised the confer
ence committee for not carrying out
the will Of the senate. 1t was the first
time, he said, that a committee had
surrendered the interests of the senate
without asking for Instructions. He
had reason to believe that members
of the conference committee, supposed
to represent the senate, had gone into
the conference and worked against the
senate amendment or white pine. Sen
atOr Teller declared that the entire re-
port hould be rejected and sent to a
committee representing the senate and
carrying out it's instructions. Referring
to the bill as a whole the senator as
serted that it was the meanest tariff
ever enacted.
The senate at Sis o'clock p. M, on
motion of Senator Allison, went into
executive session and then adjourned.
Matters Before the Cabinet
WASHINGTON July 0-The ureSSdan-