The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-12
BEvERIDGE AND lLDRICH CLASH
CONSERVATIVE AND PROGRESS
sIvE LEADERS BANDY WORDS.
TIE Rhode Island Man Charges tie
Ho0sler Senator With Having Dem.
ocratic Leanings and the Latter An
swers That He Is Only standing on
The Republican Platform.

irto a mental arena, and Senator AID
rich. leading the conservatives, and
Senator Reveridge. heading the pro-
gressives. were the chief gladiators.
Both were frequently on their feet,
and there were many sharp conflicts
between thcm. Beginning the session
with vote on the recommendation
of his committee for a duty of three
rents a square yard and 20 per cent
al 'vlorem on The fabric known as
window Hollands. Senator Aldrich was
apparently somewhat encouraged ov-
er the prospect of making decided
headway with the cotton schedule.
His hopes were, however, doomed to
early disappointment. for only a few
moments afterwards Mr.. Beveridge
took the fioJr. and before he conclud-
ed had opened such a gap that the
Rhode Island senator himself could
not resist the opportunity to walk in.
Mr.. Beveridge having said that he had
">~'s 2"~''iSu " SuPPort TIC TecOiu-
mendations of the finance committee
to say that ne had not shown such in
cliiation by his vote. Coming back,
the Indiana senator asserted his right
to follow his conscience rather than
the leadership Of any individual.
From that time forward the two
senators were engaged In joint debate
much of the time during the day. In
the course Of his remarks. Mr.. AID
rich while contending that many pro-
hibitive tariffs were justified said he
mover had favored a prohibItIve pol
Icy. He predicted that in time the
South would become the greatest
manufacturer of the finer grades of
cotton goods. Replying to this asser-
ton. Senator Bacon declared that
even II such should prove to be the
case he would not favor any increase
of the customs duties. He believed
that natural conditions In Georgia and
the other southern States would prove
the best protection for their manu-
lecturers
About the middle of the afternoon
the senate reached its second vote.
which was on proposition by Sena-
tor Dolliver, which had for its pur-
pose the striking out Of the cmmit-
tees provision fixing a duty of one
cent square yard for the process of
mercerization. The amendment was
lost by the unusually close vote of 80
to 3s. The narrowing OF the margin
was. however, due to the absence of
senators rather than to the conyer-
sion Of the progressives to the AID
rich standard.
1t was after this vote that Senator
Aldrich found occasion to again chal-
lenge the attitude Of some Of the Re-
publican senators who are contending
for lower duties. He charged them
with playing the part of brigadier for
the Democrats. and speaking Of SEN
ator Bevcridge. declared that he had
associated with the Democrats so
long that he was adopting their ideas.
He characterized Mr.. Beveridge as the
leader OF the opposition.
Both Senators Beveridge and Cum.
Minis replied. the. former asserting
that he was simply standing on the
Republican platform. while the latter
stated that he had been so often
charged with being a Democrat that
the charge did not worry him. SEN
ator Bailey found cause for congrat-
ulation In the situation. because, as
hs said. he believed II would inure 10
the advantage of the Democrats.
During the day Senator Smith. OF
Michigan. found occasion to attack
the position of Secretary McVeagh az
the mouthpiece OF the administration
on the tariff situation. He intimatet
that he did not consider the second
member OF the presidents cabinet n
reliable leader on this subject. be-
cause OF his former Democratic pro-
clivities
Late In the day the progressive Re-
Eublicars gained concession from
the finance committee I'm the removal
of rubber goods from the cotton sche-
dGle. thus preventing the imposition
OF "a duty on such goods because Of
the cotton I'm them.
The cotton schedule was completed
az the night session of the senate.
which lasted until 1O:oS o'clock. The
pingley rates were restored on hos
iery. making reduction OF bout 20
| cehvs dozen pairs from the rates of
Ii A. l..