Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-03-02
Congressional.


WASHINGTON, March l.-Bayard, ris-
ing to a personal explanation, said he
wished to make a statement as to the
reasons which impelied his colleague
Beck and himself to withdraw fraiu
the conference Oh the common tax bills,
after reading the resolution adopted by
the Senate yesterday, directing its con-
ferees to withdraw If they found full
and free conference could not be OBJ
tanned. He said his colleague and he
had been compelled by the House con-
ferees to come to any other conclusion
than that il was not full and fair con.
ference.
Bayard and Beck were excused.
Merrill asked consent for the chair to
fill vacancies on the committee.
Agreed to.
The president then appointed Vor-
hoes and MCPHERSON. Mcpherson
asked to DO excused, because he Was
not in accord with most of his Demo-
cratic colleagues on the tariff question,
and also because OF instructions given
by the Senate yesterday to its confer
ees. Es WAS excused, and the presl-
dent appointed Harris. Harris declared
he was in full sympathy with Bayard and
Beck on this subject and asked TO be ex-
cused. His request Was granted. Vor-
hees then rose and declined to serve,
giving no reason. He WAS excused.
The president then said he had no
means for ascertaining who would con-
sent to serve, unless 10y going around
and interviewing every Senator, but he
might find some enc during the day.
Sherman protested against Bavard
arraignlny a conference Ia violation of
the rules Of the Senate.
Bayard replied he was not talking of
what was due the committee, but WAS
speaking of what WAS right and the
duty to the minority, his associates; and
he had felt their obvious duty under the
resolution adopted by the Senate under
the action of the House. There was an
unfair and fettered conference. Ii WAS
fair and unfit cred on the part of the
Senate, and it was for the Senate to de-
termine whether 1t was equally fair on
the part of the House. He declared he
was in earnest in his endeavor to obtain
some reduction of taxation, but to act
under direction of the Senats would
have been eneroaching on duty on his
part had he remained TO consider With
the House Committee the question
whether the Senate bad or had not the
power to engrafs tariff legislation on the
Internal Revenue bill. Bayard and
Beck asked to be excused from further
service ON the conference committee.
Before Beck and Bayard asked to be
excused, Mcrrell expressed profound re-
oret that Beck and Bayard shosld have
felt il To be their duty to make this
technical objection, because whether SO
intended or not IL tended TO defett the
reduction of taxetion 1T the present
session. The Senate is bound TO con-
slider only what the House sent to II,
and that was merely resolution non
coucurring in the Senate amendments
to the internal revenue bill, and asking
for n Conference COMMITTEES on the par'
of the House. to consist OF fiye mem
hers. What did il inatter IN thai cast
what the opinion OF the House might
be ON a constitutional question or
theological question? 1t appears thai
the House had adopted resolution On
numbered with 'Ifs," but whatevel
opinion il might have held or expresset
a. that time, its later action was 10 CON
cur and ask for q conference on I'M
| disacreeing votes of the two Houses
| and under these circumstances inc oess
| alta could have no knowledge OF any
| limitation placed by the house upol
| ita conferees. aud 30 far as the Com
| mittas ON Conference Is concerned, ~
obstructions have been encountered
but on the contrary, 1t is as free As an
| Commit 60 Of Commerce OF wnacn a
has ever been member.
Hayard SAID he oroaght the mattel
mn hocause To wished To take hrs 'ouii
share" of the responsibility, and IN OF
der that the Senate, il il disapproye'
h;s nntion. miRhs have the orpp0rtunit.
10 sppoint sonsbody alss to carry o