Omaha daily bee., 1900-12-12
OPPOSES SHIP SUBSIDY BILL
Ssnatn Clay Of Georgia States the Case
from Minority's Viewpoint.
MONTANA SENATORIAL SCANDAL UP AGAIN
Credentials of w. A. Clark and Mar
tin Maginnis Arc Referred to the
Com mmittee on Elections on
Motion of Mr.. Chandler.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE first speech
in opposition to the ship subsidy bill In
the senate was delivered today by Mr.. clay
Of Georgia, one Of the minority members
Of the committee on commerce. which re-
ported IL to the senate. He is recognized
as one Of the most vigorous opponents OF
the bill In the senate and during nearly
two hours was accorded close attention by
senators on both sides.
Mr.. Hanna, who expects to reply to Mr..
Clay's argument. gave him particularly
attentive hearing. In the early part OF
the session a lively colloquy was precipi-
tated over the reference to the committee
of the Grout oleomargarine bill. Just passed
by the house. 1t finally went to the com
mittee on agriculture. This was victory
for the friends OF the bill.
There also was a sharp debate over the
Montana senatorial case but no action was
taken. the matter by consent going over
temporarily. Tomorrow no business ses-
sion OF the senate will be held. as the day
will be devoted to the celebration Of the
centennial OF the establishment Of the seat
Of government in Washington.
An order presented by Mr.. Cockrell Of
Missouri was ratified by the senate, direct
ing that the vacancies on the committees
Of the District OF Columbia. geological sur
vey. Indian affairs, mines and mining. Pa
cihc islands territories and railroads be
filled by the appointment Of Senator Towne
Of Minnesota.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr..
Hanna for the appointment by the presi-
dent pro TEN OF a committee OF three sena-
tors to make the necessary arrangements
for the Inauguration Of the president Of
Ifvlt - Il
adopted without debate.
Debate on Olco BiII.
The Grout oleomargarine bill. passed by
tho house. was laid before the senate and
Acting President Frye announced that
he felt obliged. owing TO the previous action
of the senate on a similar measure, to refer
the bill to the committee on agriculture.
Mr.. Aldrich. chairman Of the committee on
finance, said he would offer no objection.
but Mr.. Vest Of Missouri contended vigor-
ously that the bill. being, to his mind. a
revenue measure, ought to be referred to
the committee on finance. He declared that
II the bill was an honest measure II would
be a revenue bill, and II dishonest It would
be an effort to use the taxing power Of the
government as a police regulation.
Mr.. Proctor Of Vermont moved that tho
bill be referred to the committee on agrl.
culture. The question was discussed briefly
by Mr.. Kyle Of South Dakota, Mr.. Stewart
Mr.. Spooner. Mr.. Allison and Mr. Money
the last named declaring that the Grout
bill was measure the primary object o
which was to tax one industry at the ex.
pense OF another.
In again objecting to the proposed refer.
ence. Mr.. Vest declared that II was pro.
posed in this bill to turn congress into 9
state legislature and make 1t exercise
purely police power In the various states
The motion to refer the bill to the com
mittce on agriculture was agreed to.
Montana Senatorial squabbIe.
Mr.. Carter called up his pending motor
to refer the credentials Of william A. Clarl
and Martin Maginnis, appointed senators
from Montana to the committee on privil
eyes and elections, and after some discus
sion the motion prevailed without division
Mr.. Chandler, chairman Of the committe,
on privileges and elections, asked that tn,
resolution on the calendar declaring tha
William A. Clark was not duly and legal,
elected to a seat In the senate Of the United
States by the legislature Of Montana be re,
committed to the committee. Mr.. BacoI
Of Georgia inquired what the object of tn,
request was. Mr.. Chandler replied that be
fore the senate had the opportunity to &C
(Mr. Clark had gone through the form O
resignation" THAT changes the entire as
pect of the situation" said Mr.. Chandler
and for time forestalled and prevente
discussion Of the questions involved.
To be entirely frank with Mr.. Bacon, h
said, another reason why he desired a re
committal Of the resolution was that tn
committee might desire to take some evi
dence on the matter. The whole case, h
maintained. had not been disposed of by tn
resignation and departure Of Mr. Clark.
In the course Of long reply Mr.. Baco
held that he could conceive OF no legiti
mate purpose In the desire for recon-
initial Of n resolution which dealt wit
a question which practically was dea'
He intimated that the chairman of tn
committee on privileges and elections migf
have some Interior purpose In view whic
he could not at this time divine.
After Mr.. Chandler had retorted face
tiously that the Georgia senator wass "to
suspicious. especially of the chairman
the committee the matter oGrecommitti
was sent over to Thursday.
The senate then in thirty minutes passe
forty-fve OF the unobjected pension bill
on the calendar.
Pending the resumption OF the discuss ic
Of the ship subsidy bill an act providir
tuht eutTyWeu tue HOUebtedu ldN
who served in the United States arm
navy or marine corps during the SPANS
war or the Philippine insurrection sha
have certain service deducted from II
time required to perfect title under II
homestead laws, was passed.
Clay Opposes Ship subsidy Bill.
Mr.. Clay of Georgia then was recognize
TO deliver speech upon the pending sui
sidy bill.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Clays speeC
Mr.. Hanna. who in common with senate O
on both sides had given close attention
the address. said he had expected to SUI
init some remarks on the bill today. b
owing to the lateness of the hour won
postpone the delivery OF his address uni
Thursday.
The senate then, on motion OF Mr.. Lods
went into executive session.
There were no set speeches on the Ha
Pauncefote treaty when the senate we
into executive session. Such discussion
there was consisted OF questions and a