New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-03
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

CONGRESSIONAL AND OTHER TOPICS.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEMOCRATIC REPRESENT.
ArIvEs-TARIFF DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE AND
THE SENATE
Inc Legislative, Judicial and Executive
APPROXIMATION bill was reported to the House
yesterday, and Mr.. Cannon gave notice that
on Monday next, by authority of the Aunro-
pratiOns Committee, he would move m oas.
the bill under suspension of the rules. As
the Tariff bill probably cannot be finally acted
upon at this session unless discussion is short
ened on the measure referred to, and as a two
thirds vote is necessary to suspend the rule,
the responsibility for further delay is thus
thrown on the Democratic Representatives. In
the House the Earthenware and Glassware
schedule was discussed. The cotton schedule
was taken mp in the Senate, but owing TO an
entanglement which arose in consequence Of
the pairing system, the day was wasted.
A DEMOCRATIC PREDICAMENT
THE ONUs OF TARIFF REVISION BY THIS CONGRESS
PLACED ON THEM-PLANs TO HASTEN PROGRESS
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.I
WASHINGTON Feb 2-Democratic Represents
tIves will be called upon next Monday to place
themselves on record in way which will show
whether or not they are determined there shall be
no revision of the tariff by this Congress. Next
Monday is day upon which motions to pass bills
under suspension of the rules will be in order
In such cases debate limited to thirty minutes on
each bill and a two-thirds vote is required.
This afternoon Mr.. Cannon reported from the Ap-
preparations Committee the Legislative, Executive
and Judicial BILL which carries the salaries Of all
civil officers clerks and other employees in the pub
lie service. Mr. Cannon gave notice that on Mon
day next, by authority of the Appropriations Com
mttee, he will move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill In response TO a suggestion by Mr.. Black
burn. of the committee Mr. Cannon informed the
House that the authority TO do this was conferred
by strict party vote In the committee all tho
Democrats opposing it.
Then you wish TO rush this important bill
through without discussion. an opportunity to
amend il" exclaimed Democratic Representative.
Precisely So" replied Chairman Eiscock. This
is a bill carrying the Day-ros of the officers and
employees of the Government. aud contains no legs-
latiOn whatever. If Tariff bill Is to be passed
this measure must be disposed of in the manner
indicated"
The amount recommended by the Dill is about
$4,000 greater than last year. but it contains
items amounting to about 100000 on account Of
the pay and allowances of thirty-twO additional
Representatives not covered by last years
bill 1t embOdies no new legislation what
ever and owing TO the reform established in the
last act, prohibiting the employment of clerks and
Others for whose paw specific estimate aud apDro-
praton not made 1t is a bill against which no
good objection can he raised. All the items it con-
tains are in accord with the law. Nevertheless,
should the bill be taken up in Committee of the
Whole aud discussed under the five-minnte ule. 10
will occupy the House four or five days at the very
least aud if it tails to pass Monday under tho
two-thirds rule the committee will be Obliged 10
bring il up on the following Monday and insist
upon its consideration in Committee of tho
Whole Should that course be found necessary ID
would in all probability seal the fate Of taEl legs-
laton bv this Congress- there is not the remotest
probability that the COmmi tee of the Whole will
finish the Tariff bill next week.
Among the schemes suggested and discussed to
hasten progress of the latter bill is 70 brn the
previous question INTO play 70 moderate extern by
treating each of the schedules single paragraph.
and after each one ha, been discus ed a reasonable
time and an opportunity been gwen TO propose aud
debate such amendments as members desire
to OFFER to bring the paragraph aud
amendments to a direct vote. Such a scheme,
If practicable would greatly facilitate progress, Gut
there /, scarcely probability that the Democratic
will consent 10 IT. The best that can be done VIII
be 10 contne the debate on separate paragraphs
within reasonable limits-a plan which was ld0pted
with fair success to-day. There remain 10 be
sidPred 404 separate paragraphs OF the dutable list
some of which embrace many separate items. Ono
hundred and seyenty-one separate paragraphs have
been passed.
Ills cas-, TO see therefore, that unless the House
can dsuose of the rgsatiye bill in the manner pro-
posed by the majority of the Appropriations Commit
zee the hope OF passing the Ways and Means bill
might about as well Le abandoned. Still another
scueme for securing tariff legislation ID now dIs-
cu>srd 10 some extent IL Is modification Of tho
plan outlined in HE TRIBUNE 0f yesterday, and Is,
In brief 10 suspend th- rules ON February 10 and
nOn-concur IN the Senate amendments 10 the
Internal Revenue bill. and thus throw the whoe
subject inIo the hands OF a conference cOmmlttso,
th. report OF which could be adopted rs whole By
"A majority of either House.