People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1897 — A TEST VOTE. [ARTICLE]

A TEST VOTE.

Senators Show_ Their Leanings on the Tariff Question. The first skirmish on the tariff question occurred in the senate Wednesday. It was followed by a vote which served as a test of strength of the various elements in the senate. The vote occurred on a motion of Mr. Morrill (Rep., Vt.), chairman of the committee on finance, to refer a resolution by Mr. Vest, one of the Democratic members of that committee. The resolution was in the nature of a criticism of Secretary Gage, and declared illegal his recent order relative to goods imported after April 1, when, according to the retroactice clause of the pending Dingley bill, the new tariff rates are to apply. Mr. Morrill’s motion prevailed by the close vote of 24 to 23. Senator Kyle, whose position is a question of interest, and Senator Allen (Pop.) were absent. The affirmative vote was given by Republicans, including one silver Republican, Mr. Mantle (Mont). The negative vote was made up of Democrats, Populists and two silver Republicans —Pettigrew (S. D.) and Cannon (Utah).