The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-27
Farty Lines Drawn on Duty
on Boracic Acid.
PROTECTION WINS. 81 TO 20.
OF Louisiana. and White,
Of California, stand With the Re-
puhifcans-rurner. of Washing
senate Decides TO Employ Ameri-
can Vessels tO Transport Supplies
to 1ndia-Conference Report ON
the Sundry Civil Bill Coming Up
Today.

WASHINGTON, May 2s.-'rhe first vote
on the tariff bill was taken in the senate
today. Ii came after two hours debate on
the Item for boracic acid. which although
comparatively unimportant. afforded. an
opportunity for the first alignment of the
various elements. Vest OF Missouri. A DEM
ocranc member OF the finance committee.
moved TO make the rate on horacic acid 3
cents instead of cents per pound, as pro-
Nidsd by the committee This presented a
uirect Issue between the committee and the
opponents OF the bill. The amendment was
defeated. yeas 20 NAYS s4 The vote was
largely on party lines.
A debate occurred over the charterins OF
ships TO carry relief supplies TO India.
Chandler Of New Hampshire endeavorad
TO get a vote on his proposition TO send the
supplies by any suitable shin. Morsa,, of
Aiaoan,a insisted that American ships un~
oer the American flag be employed. He
favored naturalizing foreign-buiit ships
even II IT did grind on some gentlemen who
monopo!lZe the ccastwise trade in steam
ships. After a discussion by Senators
Gray. Stewart and Frye. a motion by Nor
gan To table the Chandler proposition was
deleateo, IL to ~. ana the joint resolution
was then passed. just as IL passed Sewell
OF New Jersey made a brief and vigorous
statement that this American benefaction
should go under the American fag ana
Morgan added: The American iias is now
hauled down.
The final conference report on the Indian
bill was then agreed to-
Ine tarin bill was taken up at o clock
White OF California. in behalf OF the DEM
ocrauc members of the finance committee
submitted number of tables showing the
articles on which the duties were from 30
10 % per cent, from 10 10 100 per cent. and
over loo per cent In reply to questions by
mite, Aldrfch. in charge of the bill stated
that ne was unable to state the average
do Vaiorem rate OF the entire bill or the
total number Of amendments proposed
The formal reading of the bill then be-
gan, and the senate was thus brought 10
The point of considering the measure by
paragraphs. The first amendments were
formal. and were agreed to without oues-
ton.
AS soon as the second page was reached
contest arose over the amendment pro-
posed by the finance committee. raising
the duty on boracic acid from to cents
per pound.
Vest moved to substitute 3 cents. He
characterized the determination Of the
committee as remarkable, and said the
proposed duty of cents was enormous.
Aldrich replied that the proposed rate
was regarded as a proper protection to the
producers cf the article In Nevada and
California. and the persons engaged in
The production held that this rate was
essential.
Jones OF Arkansas presented a pros
pectus OF an English company. setting
forth that 1T was about to purchase and
consolidate the borax lands and plants in
Nevada, California and Oregon. The pros
pectus also stated that large profits were
made by the American capitalists. Jones
said he read this TO answer Aldrich's
statement thar more protection was re-
quired
White of California. a member OF the
finance committee. said facetiously that
in the distribution of favors by this bill
he desired TO have his state receive
share He had been assured by those in
terested that there was not a word Of
truth in the statement that the American
fields We're controlled by an English COM
pany He had some personal information
on borax productions ofCaifornia he said.
The negotiations for n sale had failed.
White gave IL as his opinion that II the
policy Of the bill was to he maintained.
then the rate could not be lowered ana
afford adequate protection 10 the Amer
lean companies. He said he would vote
for the committee rate.
Jones answered White. developing some
divergence of views between these two
minority members of the finance COM
mittee.
Stewart Of Nevada. whose position to-
ward the bill has been a subject Of in
terest stated that IL there was 10 be
tariff bill the products of Nevada In
Guiding borax. should receive adequate
protection
CaTery of louisiana remarked that his
associate (White} appeared IN favor the
policy Of Gen. Hancock that the tarr
is a local matter. and II there were 10 he
any benefits ne fWhitel wanted his share
A vote was then taken on Vests amend
uent II was the first vote Of the bill and
was followed with close attention The
amendment was defeated. % 20 81 as fol-