New-York tribune., 1903-01-09
PROTECTION DEFENDED.
DEBATE ON FREE COAL.
4Ed,1ch .4Rszcers Test-Ir1butes to
Dingley's Work.


vvasbinp+on Van s-The Senate discussed the
Vest resolution requesting the Finance committee
70 report a bill removing the duty on anthracite
again to-day, and Mr.. Aldrich replied to some OF
the criticisms Of Mr.. Vest made on Tuesday. lie
began by saying that the resolution would not al
ford the relief sought 1t infringed the rights OF
the House with respect to revenue bills The at
fernpt 20 afford relief" said Mr.. Aldrich. which
the Senator says is demanded, through a method
that would open discussion here as to the con-
stitutional rights Of the Senate and the consutu-
tional prerogatve of the House-a discussion when
in fits very nature would outIast the coal famine
is not a practicable method OF securing results
The resolution, he asserted was simply TO turn1sh
q text for political speech or series or pontl-
cal speeches. He reviewed the legislation which
had been enacted TO relieve the people IN times OF
distress and said not entirely hopeless that
some means may be found for RELIEF
Mr. Aldrich recited the facts relating to the coal
tariff saying that in 1894. when the Democrats
were in control of the Senate the House sent the
Wilson bill TO the Senate with coal free OF dutF-
The Democratic Finance Committee and the Dem
ocratic Senate. with the exception OF MT. Hlli' OF
New-York voted to put duty of 40 cents ton on
coal although they had the power to admit coal
free OF duty.
Turning 70 the Democratic side and speaking
with great emphasis Mr.. Aldrich said: you nave
always been in favor of free coal when your oplh-
ions were of value TO the country oit 'HV
day when you could give the country free coal you
deI,Fars+elv and unanimously voted the other way
If therefore comes with i'll grace for Senators 10
criticse the action of the Senate in 1871 IN VIE" Vi
the action taken 10 1894
Mr.. Aldrich said that the high price OF coal IO"
was not due 70 the present tariff
Mr.. VESTS REJOINDER-
Mr. Vest replving, said that Mr. Aldrichs re-
marks could be read between the lines. he Simply
was onnosed TO the resolution. He said 1t was an
open secret how the rate OF 20 cents ton was put
on coal in the Wilson bill. Five Democratic SEN
ators who opposed the bill were In posluoh 'o
dictate what should be placed in it, and their votes
- ,,a.dad 70 nass the measure. President CleVe-
land he said. had urged free coal on congress
I'VE were held up" said Mr. Vest TO use Plall
vernacular and told If we dared to put hee coai
in the bill 1t would be defeated" compromise
therefore was effected the basis or ~ cents d
ton.
What does It matter how anybody voted IN
1892" he inquired rs that answer 10 the poor
freezing people who now demand immeolate re-
nef?"
He referred TO his former statement that the
rates in the Dtneley bill were made high as to
render possbe the negotiation Of reciprocity agree
rnents and said it based on Information ne
believed to be true Mr.. Vest had read an eollorlal
from Washington paper, referring TO PIi'dle
conversation in which Mr.. Dingley was declared
TO have made the statement, knowing the correct
ness of the assertion.
RESULTS OF THE DINGLET BILL.
Mr.. Hale characterized the article as remark
able statement. 1T was never made In MI oins-
ley's lifetime" he said The Dingley DILL ne oe-
clared was great, magnificent and Tnunlnceht
gift the American people in the CAUSE oi P4O
lection and prosperity.
Mr. Hoar declared that such resolutions as the
one under discussion were idle and futile IN Sc
curing the objects sought, and he contended that
all legislation affecting revenue should originate IN
the House
Mr. Vest explained his action in offering a reso-
luton instead of a bill by saying he felt sure
bill after its reference to committee, would never
be reported His object he said, was TO call atte-
tion 10 the condition of the country and the lteh
ton of Congress. After the President OF the United
States had recommended the removal OF the outy
on coal. and a month had elapsed without actlol
on the recommendation, he thought that even d
poor Democrat might make a suggestion that
might hurry up action this important question.
Returning to the charge regarding the OBJECT IN
placing the rates high in the DinsIey Dill, MI
Vest read a letter from the Editor Of THE Phlla-
deIphia Bulletin" saying the statement attributed
to Mr. DngIey mace 10 writer on the staIl
OF The t5unetin'' in March 1881 ~.
In an order. effective october last' ,d alt, HesI
S|g; ne o5IeT rnat in Controversies between the
tinted states ard importers OF foreign coal TO
whether it was dutlaole or not, al oouDIS shoui1
done Mr. Vest asserted, TO induce the importa;
tion OF foreign coal without touching the sacred
white elephant the Dlngley tariff act. he sald
that the remarkable situation was presented OF
nored it lie did bring the matter to the atten-
ton OF the Senate reflection on the adminlsTa-
greed with the Secretary of the Navy and the
Pre- sident in idea that the Introduction of for
eign coal d remedy for the terrible condlton
now prevailing in the United States.
NR DINGLEY'S MEMORY DEFENDED.
MI Hale defended Mr.; Dingley. saying that the
statement attributed TO him was radically opposed
TO all his utterances and involved the charge of
MIR Tinan said he did not consider there had
been a reflection Mr.. Dingley. The policy OF his
party he said, had been eXeInplifed in the reel
ing but the selfish greed OF the people whose protec
reduced. he said, prevents the ratification Of
the pending treaties.
None of us" said Mr.. Hale. referring 10 the
alleged interview with Mr.. DIngley, would want
cur sincerity Inpugned by somebody I'VE years after
Vest. he said, have stronger evidence than this
effort ra1sa tx the past turn up the grave and
bring up an alleged conversation which has slept
for five years order tc show insincerty they are
hard put He characterized the party who reported
the alleged interview as falsiher
Mr.. Tillmau, replying TO Mr.. Hale. said there was
70 accusation against Mr.. Dingleys character or
sincerity. The Senators who sympathized with the
Senator from Missouri not hard up for dTsu-
the trust question
This is certainly put forward now as the one
argument" retorted Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Tillnan said that Congress had been assem-
bleG only three weeks. and we have hardly gotten
over Christmas drunks yet
The debate cut short by Mr.. Quay demanding
The regular order. The Vest resolution went
up the next legislative Gay.
Mr.. Nelson continued his remarks against the
Omnibus Statehood bill Several minor bills
passed. and the Senate adjourned until Monday.
,rsrr nnrurD hrNTTCEn oT TuTTT