The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-03
THE TARIFF GRAFT.
EIkINS SAYS EAST HAS BEEN
GIVEN EVERYTHING.
Democrats Not COnsldered-SOuther
Members Excluded From Commit.
tee Hearings on Payne Measure
Sarcastic References by Senator
Gore,

Gore,
Washington. aMrch 29.--Objection
was made in the senate today to a
statement by Senator Hale that the
finance committee is holding daily
sessions on the tariff bill. The crit
icism came from Senator Bacon, who
said he understood that only certain
members were present. He referred
to the fact that the Dmocratic men,
brs of the committee were excluded.
Perhaps 1 should have said sub
committee" explained Mr.. Hale.
us it not usual to give the minori-
ty representation on sub-commit-
tees?" asked Mr.. Bacon.
mot on tariff matters" replied
Mr.. Hale, which rejoinder provoked
general laughter.
Senators Money. Culberson AMI
Newlands protested against the ex-
clusion of the minority. but the crit
icism appeared to be only perfume
tory and without hope Of changing
the existing order of procedure.
Joining with the Democrats in
their protests against the manner in
which the tariff bill is made up, SEN
ator Elkins. (Rep.) of West Virginia
declared himself and his State to be
of the South, the interests of which,
he said. are "being crucifed." He as
serted that New England is over-rep-
resented on the committee while the
great Middle West and the South are
not represented at all.
He said that he understood the
committee would make free trade
measure for New England, and in the
past the statesmen from the South,
like poor. miserable deluded peo-
ple," had been compelled to support
such propositions and had got as q
return only high protection on ar
ticles they consumed.
He complimented the Southern
statesmen on their protests and de-
clared himself in league with them
To make his position more forcible
several senators from the South ask-
ed questions Of Mr.. Elkins and Mr..
Hale sought to answer some of these.
There you have It," said Mr.. Ell
kins. "You can see what a close
corporation this New Englandf crowd
is. Speak OF one Of their interests and
some New England representative
comes to- his feet. Speak OF some
thing in the interest OF the South
and the New Englander comes to his
feet just the same"
Mr.. Elkins referred to the fact that
the Democrats in the house had no
opportunity to criticise the tariff bill
before 1t was reported. Exception
was taken by Mr.. Gore and in sar-
castle speech he said that the Demo-
Gratis had been given four minutes In
which to examine the bill before ac-
tion upon 1t in committee. ~
Mr.. Elkins grilled the New Eng
land domination" Of the senate.
Speaking of the appointments of
Messrs. Lodge, McCumber, Smoot and
Flint as new members of the finance
committee. Mr.. Elkins said they had
been chosen from sections as far
away frOn the South as possible. He
spoke at length in defense of South
ern industries and urged the senators
from the section to join him in de-
manding that the South be given a
fair show.
Speaking caustically of the in
fiuence of the New Englanders in the
senate. Mr. Elkins said they had seen
to 1t that the same influence prepon-
derated in the finance committee. He
protested against the summoning of
witnesses before the committee unless
other senator's are given a chance to
listen to thir tstimony or read 1t be-
fore the bill under consideration is
acted upon.
Mr.. Bacon presented a resolution
directing that all hearings and exam
ination Of witnesses by the finance
committee or the majority members
thereof be open to all members of
the senate. The resolution went over
under the rules.