The herald., 1897-03-27
Thinkers
OF TARIFF
Don't Desire Democratic
Directions
ALL AMENDMENTS OFFERED
ARE NOT INCORPORATED IN
THE BILL
Seven Weary Hours Work Sees Nine
Pages Disposed of---Senate
on Civil Service
associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March 26.-The tariff
bill was thrown open for amendment un-
der the five-minute rule in the house
today Seven weary hours Of work only
served to dispose of nine of the 1852 pages
of the bill. All the amendments offered
by the Democrats were rejected. Three
were adopted and also an amendment
offered by Mahaney, Republican, of New
York to increase the duty on white lead
from 2lh cents to cents per pound, the
rate in the act of 1890. The present duty
is IL cents. Mahaney said the increase
was asked for by a concern which was
independent of the lead trust.
1t was adopted by a strict party vote.
The discussion covered a wide range
of political topics and at times was in
teresting. By far the most important
feature of the day was the attempt of
Dockery of Missouri, Cooper of Texas,
and others, backed by the entire oppo-
sition, to secure a vote on an amend
ment in a multitude of forms, which
provided that in case 1t should be shown
to the satisfaction Of the president that
any article made dutiable by the bill
was controlled by trust or combina-
tion, the duty upon such articles should
be suspended. Dingley made the point
of order that the amendment was not
germane to the dutiable list an1would
not be in order until the free list was
reached. For almost three hours this
point of order was fought over and made
the subject of ordinations and recrim-
nations. The Democrats contended that
if the amendment was ruled out 1t would
never be voted upon, as the free list, in
all human probability. would not be
reached before the final vote was taken,
The chair sustained the point of order
An appeal was taken, but the chair was
sustained by strict party vote-15S to
104
Reconsideration of the tariff bill be-
gan this morning when the bill was
thrown open for amendment under the
five-minute rule. Lanham. Democrat
of Texas as soon as the enacting clause
was read, moved to strike 1t out. Sher-
man, Republican Of New York, in the
chair, ruled the motion out Of order.
Dockery, Democrat. Of Missouri. Of
fered the first amendment. Itwas In the
nature of proviso added to the enact
ing clause that whenever it was shown
to the satisfaction Of the president that
there was trust or combination to con-
troll the price Of any article on the duti-
able list, the duty on such article should
be suspended.
Dingley made the point Of order that
the amendment in effect was to the free
list, and as the house was now consider
ing the dutiable list, it was not in order
'I have great respect for the parlia-
mentary nowledge of the gentleman
from Maine" said Dockery. "but as 1t is
probable that he free list will never be
reached hope 1t will be held in order
now" Naughter.)
Cooper Democrat, Of Texas, offered
a substitute for the Dockery amendment
pose. but containing the definition Of q
trust and provision for the determine
ton of its existence by court.
''If you are so anxious to incorporate
such a provision as this In the bill, why
did you not insert it in the present law?''
asked Tawney, Republican, Of Mime
sofa.
Trusts had not gone quite so far
them" replied Richardson, Democrat,
of Tennessee. amid laughter He chal-
lenged the other side, which ostensibly
opposed trusts, to aid in the adoption Of
the amendment.
IT never BEFORE" said he, heard such
insincere objections to q just amend
ment."
A long debate ON the point of order fol-
lowed. Bailey made an extended argu-
ment appealing to the majority to aid in
pulling down these combinations which
"preyed upon the energies Of the peo-
ple."
Hepburn Of Iowa, Republican, raised
laugh ON the Democratic side by say.
ing that this amendment, If adopted
would defeat the purpose Of the bill.
Don't laugh" he shouted, waving hi
hands. He went on to explain how easy
it would be for a few men. who reall,
desired free wool and free sugar, tt
effect combination to raise the pric,
of sugar and wool, and thus, under the
amendment, force these articles to tn.
free list.
Bailey thanked Hepburn for the franl
admission that the destruction of trust,
would interfere with the purpose of tn,
bill.
"Oh. no." said Hepburn, II was trying
to show that under the pretense of ere.
ating trust, this legislation could b,
destroyed"
But could net the courts decide be-
tween the sham trust and the raa
trust?" asked Terry Of Arkansas Dem.
ocrat
Il suppose the courts could" replied
Hepburn, but shall the revenues Of tn,
countt,' be destroyed because Of the ex.
istence. in violation Of law. Of shan
trusts, II zeal trusts are Illegal? Theil
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