Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-03-15

the corridors of the capitol and especI-
| ally those on the house side, were filled
with sightseers, lobbyists and repre-
sentatives. The last mentined were
continually running between their
seats and the telegraph offices in the
building. kilograms were received
from all sections Of the country.
They were sent by all interests, and
urged the passage Of the bill un-
der consideration.
THE BUSINESS d D9NE,
The house at 5:15 o'clock, after five
hours debate, by vote of 152 to 115,
| agreed TO report to the conference
committee on the tariff bill. The an
nouncenent Of the vote was received
with applause, chiefly on the republi-
can side. The opponents of the bill,
particularly on the democratic side,
wh9 have been opposed to the settle
ment Of the tariff question in any way
by this congress, accepted the result
with evident disgust and sullen silence.
The majority in the house was much
larger than was anticipated. In the
early part of the day there was a good
desl doubt about the passage of the
bill and many members declared the
house would not sustain it. Many
prOtectlonists asserted they would not
vote for the bill under any circum-
stances, but some of these We're not
strong enough to resist the popular de-
mand for some reduction of taxation
now; SO when the vote was taken,
they recorded their names for the bill.
| u q o+
among the friends of the measure bv
a report that Speaker Keifer was op-
posed to the report, and by ruling
that it should be considered by para
graphs, would prClong its consideration
to the end of the congress and thus
defeat the bill. This was positively de-
MED by the speakers friends for the
reason that it was known that his best
judgment If the point was raised would
| dictate different ruling, and that he
would not
INSURE THE POWER OF HIS HIGH OFFICE
to defeat the bill, no matter what his
individual views might be. The speak
er and most Of the Ohio members were
known TO be opposed to the conference
report for the reason that it did not
probably provide for the protection of
tho wool-producing interest, which is
quite large in that state. TIE position
of the speaker was generally under
stood among the members. and might
have been used to q certain extent
against the adoption of the report, but
for the fact that the speaker was in
some doubt as to the policy of defeat
ing a measure which had many other
good features In it. The bill provides
for material reduction Of the internal
revenue and some reduction on sugar,
steel rails and other articles in common
Iuse. The provisions the speaker ap-
proved, and did not therefore, as active.
ly exert his influence against the bill,
as he would otherwise have done. He
is represented, however, as being very
much chagrined at the action of the
house cOnferrees in not looking after
the wool interest of his state more
closely. Undoubtedly many members
who did not like the bill voted for it
because it was the best measure which
could be passed at this time. This feel
ing vas very well expressed by Mr.
DunneH of Mime sofa, which will be
seen by reference to his speech during
the discussion of the conference report.
The Ohio members are very much in
censed agains John Sherman for voting
for the report after he had refused to
sign it in the committee. If he had
been consistent they say he would have
voted against it in the senate, and thus
defeated it. A prominent republican
said this evening that if John Sherman
shOul1 run for governor IF Ohio, he
would be defeated by 110, 900 majority.
The report of tle conference commit
tee having been agreed to by both the
senate and the house, all it requires
now to become law is the appoval of
: the president. After the conference
report had been agreed 10, there was q
good deal of speculation as to whether
the president would sign it or not; but
it is generally believed he will do so, al
though at late hour tonight he had
not donc so. As the bill is very long il
has taken some time to enroll it, and il
did not reach the president until q late
hour.
THE BILL WAS PASSED
just as it was reported from the con.
terence committee, and just as 1t pass
ed the senate st 1:30 o'clock this
morning. The bill was then taken up
by the house in preference to the Lee.
Richardson contested election case
Immediately after the Cook-Cutts cleo,
, ton case had been decided in favor OF
Cook, the Democratic contestant, who
/ was sworn in. At that time the Ohio
: men, including Speaker Keifer and
some Of the Pennsylvania men, in.
cluding Bayne, were expressing the
opinion that the bill, being Dad bill
ought to be beat, if it took
e Republican flibustering to do it
: As soon as Kelsey had offered the con.
f ference committee bill, Bayne made
/. the point of order that the report was
not accompanied by the ex plicit ex.
planation required by the rules. Mr.
! Speaker Keifer thought it did SO, the
e report WIS received and the bin read
in full. This took two or three hours
and tired out two or three reading
: clerks. Finally the reading was finish
ed and the previous question wa;
ordered. Then the house talked abou
. it for three hours. Kelley, Kasson anc
; Haskell wanted to tell what good bill