New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-02
GENERALLY WASHINGTON NEWS
CONGRESSIONAL AND OTHER TOPICS.

mTT.E-ExCITIyG SCENE IN THE HoUsE-PAss
AGE OF THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
Much time wls spent yesterday IN the senate
over the appointment of successors 10 Messrs
Bayard and Beck on the Tariff Conference Com
mittee. Messrs. Malone and McDlll accepted
the position. The Conference Committee iDe'
and it is understood that it was agreed that
the duty on iron and steel rails and on iron ore
should be increased. TIL committee Will meet
again to-day. The River and Harbor Dill was
passed in the House during Its consideration
there was an exciting scene. motion 10 eX
pei Mr.. Van Voorhls OF New York, was made,
but on an apology from him to the House, the
motion was withdrawn. The Deficiency Ap-
preparation bill was passed.
SCHEMING AGAINST TARIFF REVISION.
TIE RETIREMENT FROM THE CONFERENCE COMMIT
TEE OF SENATORS BAYARD AND BECK-THElR
sUCca assoRs APPOINTED - UNWILLING DEMO-
CRAFTS
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON March 1.-Having failed to talk
the proposition to reduce taxation and reform the
tariff and revenue laws to DEATH the Democrats OF
the Senate to-day manifested their willingness TO
assume the responsibility for the defeat of all egls-
lation upon the subject by declining one after an
other TO serve upon the conference committee
pretext was, in substance that the House of Repre-
sentatives having formally expressed its opinion
that the Senate had no constitutional right to act
Ii had done IN respect to the Tax and Tariff bill,
the cOnereas on the part of the Senate had right
TO consider the provisions of the measure IN confer
The fact that the solution of the House
was in the nature of instruction to its
ferees, and that it had not in any formal way been
brought to the notice of the Senate not taken
IL . fha
urther fact that the House conferces interpreting
heir own instructions, did not consider them TO
be an obstacle TO "full and free" consultation
spect to the measure submitted to their considera-
ton. In short, the determination of the Democrats
to take advantage of any circumstance which was
available, TO prevent action, was made as clear as
noon day.
SENATOR BAYARD's EXPLANATION.
Shortly after the meeting of the Senate to-day
Senator Bayard arose to personal explanation and
stated the position taken by Senator Beck and him
self on the conference committee last night Sum-
married it was as follows That the House of Rep
resenatives having by resolution of February 27
declared it to be its opinion that the action of the
Senate IN ai6xing amendments increasing and re- |
ducing the tariff duties 10 a House bill for the re-
ducton OF the internal revenue was In contravention
of the constitutional nights of the House; that |
such action made "full and free" conference inn |
possible, and, in fact ended the conference almost
before it began y that the deliberate and positive
action OF the House could not be placed subject to
the mere discretion of five members thereof and |
that therefore, the communication of the House |
resolutions TO the conference committee last night,
about o'clock constituted the limit alone cont EN-
plated by the Senate Its action of yesterday The
piyIleges and the constitutional powers Of the Sem
ale To possess and full, equal and co,or
dinate share in the legislative powers of the Gov
ernment should never be a question to be submitted
to the individual action of five members OF the
House nor of the House itself
The point Of order was raised that Senator Bayard
had 40 tight to refer to the action of the committee
of conference nor to snsiGn the majority of the
Senate conferees for their failure agree with him,
but Mr.. Bay ard explained that his remarks were
only intended TO set forth the for his own
action, and he was allowed to proceed. He asked to
BE- excused from further service upon the commit
tee Of conference.
WHAT MR.. BECK HAD To SAY.
Senator Beck also declined to serve. He said that
the House conferees brought bill of their
aad did not pretend that the House had ever con-
sideled single feature Of the Senate bill
All they brought was the House resolution in
respect to the constitutional rights of the
Senate. II the conference committee could patch
mp bill which was satisfactory to five members of
the House it was left be inferred that the consti
tutional question would be waived. he asked to
b. excused from further service.
Senator Morrill, expressed regret that two Sena-
tors so experienced should have Thought it neces-
sary to take the action they had taken. What, he
asked did it matter as to what tho opinion of the
House might be upon the constitutional question
any more than upon theology question: The
House had appointed its confeTees and
had encumbeTed its action with great |
uumber of hypothetical 81 ifs" but the Senate
could have knowledge of anything beyond the
resolution sent to them, and far the committee
of conference was concerned there was no obstruc
tion 10 a full and free conference 1t was, in fact
rs full and free any conference he had
known. Senator Garland offered resolution ]
instructng the Senate conferces to withdraw from
the conference. TO the present consideration of
this resolution Senator Allison objected and under
the rules it went over for day Senator Bayard
was then excused from further service by vote of
40 to G. and Senator Beck was excused by a viva /
vOcc vote.
SENATORS MALONE AND M'DILL CHOSEN.
Senator's Voorhees, McPherson Morgan, German, l
Butler and Maxey were then successiyey named by L
the chair TO fill the vacancies, and each in their {
turn declined The chair expressed a wish to be '
advised whether it the determination of all the
Democrats TO decline, and Senator Harris said he {
thought the ch air would be warranted III drawing O
that inference. The chair then named Senators
Malone accepted but Senator ingalls, asked to be {
excused the ground tnat his engagements were a
such that be could not attend to the duty. Senator
Miller, of California for the declined,
ana Senator McDlll was appointed to the place.
THE TARIFF CONFERENCE. Il
TIE COMMITTEE AT woRK-THE RATE on IRON AND
STEEL RAILS AND on IRON ORE INCREAsED-Pos
sIBIIITY THAT NO BILL WILL BIZ REPORTED. "
IBY TELEGRAPH THE rRrBUSEl