The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-02-08
Locating the Responsibility

On the 9Th the climax of excitement and uproar
reached in the House when judge Kelly offered
resolution to end the Instructions to the passage of
the Tariff BILL After the defeat OF the Appropriation
Committees attempt to pass the Legislative bill
under suspension of the rules and the refusal
House to give day to the consideration OF the
Nicaraguan Canal BILL Mr.. Kelley moved to suspend
the rules, and got in resolution empowering the
Committee of the Whole to report the Tariff bill to
the House at time not latter than the 18th of Feb,
and directing that while the bill was under constd
Grafton in the House a motion to rise and report
should have precedence of any motion to amend
The reading of this resolution was like red rag to
the Democrats. Hardly had the Clerk finished
when Springer, Of Illinois, his feet objecting
and McLane, of Maryland. claiming the attention
of the chair to make a point of order. Two score
more of excited Democrats were angrily comment
ing on the resolution and holding hasty consulta
ton in the aisles.
Speaker Keifer heard McLanes point Of order that
mott IN to change the rules Of the House, such
the reso luton contemplated must go for day,
and without any waste Of time or words decided
against it, on the ground that motion to suspend
the rules suspended all Of them, If agreed to by
two-thirds vote Then by vigorously pounding the
desk he far quelled the rising clamor to give
opportunity for the call for the motion
V0t0 tell6fS showed Lne mOt1OQ seconded, 120
80, and Judge Kelley took the floor to explain his
resolution.
The Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee
was very much in earnest, but the Democratic side
of the House would no accord him respectful atten
tion He was interrupted frequently by jeers and
derisive laughing, which the Speaker seemed pow
erless to prevent. Mr.. Kelleys explanation of the
object of the resolution severe arraignment
of the Democratic side of the House for it's contin
ued obstruction to any measure of tax reduction
The country, he said, above anything else had de-
manded Of this Congress revision of the revenue
system and reduction of tax At the last session the
majority had passed through the house an Internal
Revenue bill, which contested at every step by
the minority 1t had become obvious to every cool-
headed observer that at this session the minority
was trying the tactics which delayed The Inter
nal Revenue bill and cut down it's proportions, to
line, the vote each amendment by voice, by a
rising vote, and by teers the endless and tresome
speeches, all evidenced this deliberate intention to
defeat the bill. Extracts from the Presidents mes
sage, said Mr. Kelley, had been read on successive
lines of the bill until every member had his men,
DRY stored with them for life.
This obstruction, he said, had been led by the
legitimate members of the Democratic side. Not by
the distinguished gentlemen who represent that
side on the Ways and Means Committee, and were
familiar with the details of the bills but by ire
sponstble men, such as Springer and Wheeler
(whom he indicated without nLming1, who had no
understanding OF the subject. If tho House were
going pass tariff bill, it must escape from these
men and bring the bill under control of its friends