The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-09

Washington, Jan S.-Senator Vest was al
his desk when the Senate convened, al
though the weather to-day was cold and
stormy. He took an active part In the de.
| bate upon his free-coal resolution. and
great interest was manifested on both sides
| of the chamber. Mr.. Vest grew stronger
as the debate proceeded and apparently for
got his physical infirmftieS.
Senator Aldrich. the Republican apostle OF
tariff protection, had prepared speech in
reply to Mr.. Vests attack on the Coal
Trust. and SPARED for time in reporting the
| resolution. Aldrich charged that some Dem
| ocrats voted against free coal in 1894 when
the Wilson tariff bill was being framed.
Mr.. Vest admitted this freely and re-
called the position of the parties In the
Senate in regard to the Wilson bill. He
explained the necessity for a compromise In
order that the Wilson bill might be passed
and said that he reluctantly made such
compromise rather than permit the entire
bill! to fai. I-.-.
He argued that that fact had nothing to
do with placing coal on the free list. now
that the fuel famine had reached criti-
cal stage. and wien according to President
Roosevelt and coal experts. no other course
"oOli teuu u tiiidESS lHc uVh'Nis a''N 49,
duce the price of coal.
The Republicans were much disturbed by
Mr.. Vests statement that Representative
Dingley had admitted that the duties were
placed too high in his tariff bill in order to
open the way for reciprocity. They denied
this with a great show of Indignation. but
the Missouri Senator produced letter from
the editor of one of the leading protection
III, fxytny fha
ment and recounting the particulars of Mr..
Dingley's admission.
Senator Vest acquitted himself with great
force and clearness and his speech was fol-
lowed closely by a crowded Senate and
overflowing galleries.
Mr. Aldrich began by stating that the res
olution would not afford the relief sought.
1t infringed the rights of the House with
reference to internal revenue bills.
THE attempt to afford relief said Mr..
Aldrich, which the Senator says is de-
manded, through a method that would open
discussion here as to the constitutional
rights of the Senate, and the constitutional
prerogative Of the House. discussion
which in its very nature would outlast the
coal famine. Is not a practicable method of
securing satisfactory results
The resolution. he asserted. was simply
to furnish text for political speech or
series of political speeches. He rected
the legislation which had been enacted to
relieve the people in times of distress. and
said he was not entirely hopeless that some
means may not be found for relief.
COAL TARIFF OF 1894
Mr.. Aldrich recited the facts relating to
the coal tariff, saying that. in 1894 when
the Democrats were in control of the Sem
ate. the House sent the Wilson bill to the
Senate with coal free of duty. The Demo-
t{, TSfvovS <l,z
cratic Senate. with the exception Of Mr..
Hill Of New York, voted to put a duty of
40 cents a ton on coal, although they had
the power to admit coal free of duty.
Turning to the Democratic side. and
speaking with considerable emphasis. Mr..
Aldrich said:
You have always been in favor Of free
coal when your opinions were of no value
to the country. On the day when you coula
give the country free coal. you deliberately
and unanimously voted the other way. 1t.
therefore, comes with ill-grace from Sem
a:ors to criticize the action of the Senate
in 1897, in view of the action taken in
1884,"
Mr.. Aldrich said the high price of fuel in
the country now was not due to the pres
ent tariff
SENATOR VESTS REPLY.
Mr.. Vest. replying. said Mr.. Aldrich's re-
marks could be read between the lines.
He simply was opposed to the resolution
he said 1t was an open secret how the rate
OF 40 cents ton was put on coal in the
Wilson bill There were five Democratic
senators opposed to the bill who were in
such position to dictate what should be
placed in the bill, and that their votes
were needed to pass the measure. Presi-
dent Cleveland, he said, had urged free
coal on Congress.
We were held up" said Mr.. Vest. ITO
use plain vernacular. and told If we dared