The Washington times., 1909-05-07
CLAPP LIFTS VOICE
FOR LOWER TARIFF
Minnesota Senator Joins
Ranks of Republican
Insurgents.

Senator Moses E Clapp of Minnesota
following I'm the footsteps of other West
ern insurgent Republicans, spoke
strongly for downward revision of the
tariff in the Senate this afternoon. Sen
ator Clapp took issue with the position
OF Senator Aldrich that the Chicago
platform did not mean downward re-
Vision.
He denied that it was possible to
attaqh any other meaning TO that plat
ford than that It called for reductions
in the Dingley schedules.
The schedules in a great number Of
Instances can be reduced, said the SEN
ator. as the marvellous invasion of
foreign markets by American manufac-
sUrers in recent years has proved.
Ridiculous Spectacle.
Discussing the promise OF the Chicago
platform. Senator CIapp said:
IF this promise means that we are
10 stand by the Dingiey rates. then we
are confronted with the ridiculous
spectacle Of the Chief Executive call
ing a special session Of Congress to
affirm something that needs no affirma-
ton"
He proceeded to show that when the
question of adopting a platform came
up at Chicago the issue was clearly
drawn between those protected inter
ests which were crying, 'let well
enough alone" and those which were
calling for a revised tariff. From this
ne argued that the form of the Ian
guage adopted at Chicago meant down
ward revision
No other Answer.
serhere can be no other answer said
Senator CIapp with great emphasis. IF
q Al not mean that are fudFflprinC
in mere boy play and are engaging in
farce. If believed that the special ses-
sion of Congress was called to leave
the schedules alone. then I'd pack my
grip and go home for my oath Of office
as a Senator does not require me 10
take part in a farce"
The Presidential candidate spoke
often ia the campaign and the spirit
that Dervaded his utteranceS was Ior
revision downward. Mr.. Clapp went on
No sort OF sophistry can argue away
the idea that the meaning Of the plat
form was revision downward.
Senator Clapp lectured the Senate for
waiting TO be driven TO doing something
by an aroused public. This is not the
way TO legislate in shaping the policy
of a great and growing nation Congress
ought. he said. 20 take the initiative
and not wait fof popular ciamor
Refers To RayneT.
In opening his speech. Senator Clapp
referred to the fact that Senator Ray
ner a few days ago asked, Where am
I?p
I'm relation to this matter in the con-
crete said Senator Clapp. I'VE might
wen inquire. Where are We?
Senator Clapp in the closing part Of
his speech gave emphatic warning 10
the Senate that if the tariff was not
revised downward the Republican party
would suffer for its failure TO reduce II:
he declared that II this Congress dld
not reduce the tariff. two years from
now IL would be reduced not by its
friends but by its enemies, who would
be borne into office by the wrath of a
disappointed people
Brickbats Thrown.
Brickbats were thrown at Senator
Aidrich and his lieutenants in the course
of the discussion of the tariff bill yes
rerday afternoon They came from
Senators Beveridge and Bristow. and
were strong protests against the method
of considering the measure and the dis
uosition shown 10 hurry il through with
out adequate consideration.
Senator Beveridge denounced the prac-
tlce of certain Senator's calling for =
vote when he and others were trying &c
get information about schedules. He
warned Aldrich this was not the way tc
consider a bin that was expected 10 las
Twelve
MAS no excuse for errors made in tht
House OF the Senate measure througf
haste. lie objected to attempts TO tax
the Junior Senator from Kansas. Mr.
fs-istovy OF his feet when he- was tryinl
T. find out about things lie sald tnt
Senators who were doing this would no
be on the battlefield In the next cam
Gallinger Aroused.
Thereupou ensued a colloquy between
Senators Gallinger and Beveridse- The
latter said he was wearing out the bes
mart Of his life on the battlefield II
behalf of the Republican party
YES said Gallinger, and some 9th
or lives were partly worn out before
you appeared.
Beveridge admitted that but he con
tended that in trying to rush the oil
through the leaders were not prudent.
Bristcw stirred up the Senate mo
nent later by rebuSing Senator Hale I,
WHO was calling for "A vote, while tn
ksnsan was asking for Information
Demands Rights.
'sSr. President" shouted the fightint
Senator from the middle West this b
The third time that a vote has beel
called for on these paragraphs while
have been on my feet asking 10 &c
recognition from the chair. ] am a ney
member here and possibly have no righ
10 be heard i'm this body, but ] ain her
by The same constitutional authority a
sny man who has served here for thir
~ years: I have the same right TO b
herd on any paragraph in this bin a
any man who occupies q scat upon thi
floor. and. with the help OF what ply
seal strength ] have. I intend 70 b
feard unless I am out OF order accord
iur 10 tire rules Of this body which gov
. ern its deliberations
Then the gentleman who had Dee
calling Tor n vote subsided and Bristoy
went ahead and made the observation
hr wanted TO No vote was reache.
before adjournment