The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-18
Mr. ALLISON FIGHTS HARD
Nevertheless Mr. Allison Loses and
the Amendment Goes.
THE BULLETINS ARE 10 APPEAR WEEKLY
information From Ginners viii b. Thus Given
10 the Public From the First Of Sep
tembsr 10 the First Of
hrlInrn
february.
(Bv the Agsoclated Press.l


washington. D. c., Feb. 17.-After an
extended debate the Senate today passed
the bill establishing permanent census
office The discussion related principally
TO the collection and publication by the
Director of the Census of statistics re-
specting the production of cotton. Mr..
Allison vigorously opposed the prOvis-
ion, but it was inserted in the bill.
Several other bills of importance on
the calendar were passed, among them
one extending the charters of national
banks. When consideration was resum-
ed Of the permanent Census Bill, the
pending amendment was that offered by
Mr., Tillman, providing that the Director
of the Census should issue monthly bull
letins from October !, each year, until
and including March 1, on the production
OF cotton as reported by the ginners.
Mr.. Allison opposed the amendment,
principally because information concern
ing the cotton crop now was furnished
by the Secretary Of Agriculture. He de-
scribed in detail the methods pursued
by the Agricultural Department in OBJ
duction of cotton.
He pointed out that the returns were
now being made to the Agricultural De-
partment from every ginner In the cotton
belt and he yentured the opinion that
the returns We're as accurate as could
be obtained by human agencies.
Mr.. Clay interrupted to say that he
had no idea that one half of the ginners
of cotton made reports to the Agricul-
tural Department.
Mr.. Culberson said that in November
last the AGRICULTURAL Department issued
an estimate of the cotton production of
such nature that the price of cotton
rose Immediately afterward.
Mr. Allison replied that the reports
issued by private concerns had estimated
the cotton crop last year as much great
er than 1t proved to be. Those reports
had tended to keep prices down, He
pointed out, however, that the Agricul-
tural Department was first to give to the
public accurate information concerniug
the production.
Mr. Allison maintained that if the
producers of cotton had depended upon
the figures of the crop furnished by tho
Agricultural Department they would
net have been led into disposing of their
cotton for lower figure than it actual
ly was worth
Mr.. Bacon interrupted to inquire of
Mr. Allison whether he was seeking by
his argument to save the amount Of the
expenditure involved by the amendment
or whether he desired to postpone act-
ion upon the Census Bill
/ SsFrt..
the Senator's question" replied Mr.. Al
/ lison, with evident annoyance II will
say is unl1ind."
Mr.. Bacon interrupted 10 say that his
question was intended only as a bit of
pleasantly"
THAT is not matter of pleasantly
Tetorted Mr.. Allison. The suggestion OF
the Senator that I am trying to postpone
/ the passage of this bill it gratuitous"
Mr.. Bacon disclaimed any intention 10
reflect upon Mr. Allison's motives, thus
ending the incident.
Later Mr.. Bacon Inquired of Mr. ALL
son whether he, representing corn
State realized more fully the import
ancc Of the postponed amendment to the
cotton producers than all the Senator's
from tho cotton States
Mr.. Allison replied that he might be
regarded as in the position Of the jury
man opposed TO his eleven associates, but
that he would be satisfied whatever tho
j result might be.
Mr.. Money proposed an amendment to
the amendment so that the bulletins
should be Issued weekly, beginning Sep
temher | Of each year, and extending 20
i and including February j.
| The amendment to tho amendment was
agreed to and the amendment as amend
! ed then was adopted without division.
! AIr. Allison moved that tho paragraph
authirizing the Director Of the Census to
collect cotton statistics be stricken out.
F, but the motion was lost.
The bill was then passed and tho SEN
ate shortly after adjourned.