Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-15

might fight for impossible doctrines,
but he knew by experience how futile
in government was mere theory and
how valuable was common sense. He
believed In that which had stood the
strain of long practice, nor could he
be expected to yield it for something
and impracticable Jap
siause.
Mr.. Blackburn, of Kentucky, then
made an eloquent speech in favor of
the bill, speaking nearly an hour ex-
temporaneously.
In conclusion he said: Il express
the hope that in the near future We,
may be able to bring to the House
enough enlightment, patriotism, pro-
gressive intelligence to repudiate the
bigotry which disgrace politics in the
form of protection. No bigot, wheth.
er he be Christian or politician, ever
contributed one atom to the advance
ment of humanity's cause, and | ask
at the hands of this House, with
firm reliance for favorable answer,
that it may never be said that Demo-
cratic House in the American Con.
gress refused even to consider bill
which proposed to reduce admitted
excessive taxation, and revise, to de-
gree, an admittedly bad tariff Jap
plause.
Mr.. Morrison closed the debate with
a rapid review of the objections which
had been made to the bill, and an
equally rapid and brief answer to those
objections. Should the motion to strike
out the enacting clause be agreed to
it would be a declaration that tariff
taxation would be continued, and that
the Democratic party would appeal
from the Congress of the United
States to the people, and people would
so understand it, He referred to the
fact that the Democrats from Iowa,
Wisconsin, Michigan and California
had been elected on a tariff reform,
and expressed his fear if the bill
should be defeated that they would be
succeeded by Page and Burrows and
Hazelton and "My dear Hubbell"
He then turned his attention to Mr..
Randall, and addressing him said:
"You claim to have the power to
strike out the enacting clause of this
bill. If you have that you have the
power to amend this bill and make it
what it should be" loud applause on
the Democratic side.
After few more cursory rem arks
on the general subject of tariff reform,
Mr.. Morrison's time expired, and
murmur of expectancy ran through
the ranks of both the opponents and
advocates of the measure as the Chair
man directed the Clerk to read the
bill. The audience, which throughout
the day had crow led the galleries al
most to suffocation, hushed the hum
of conversation and watched with in
tense interest the further proceedings
on the floor. AS the Clerk began to
read, Mr.. Converse left his seat in the
last row of seats and, walking down to
the bar of the House, stood nervously
lingering piece of paper which he
held in his hand. When the reading e
of the first paragraph had been com
pleted, there was an embarrassing
pause. Mr.. Converse was engaged in
earnest conversation with Mr.. Hunt.
and did nor appear to know that all
eyes were fixed upon him.
Mr.. Kassan, fearful that the time
when the motion to strike out the en-
acting clause would be in order would
expire before Mr.. Converses attention
could be attracted to the fact, rose and
inquired of the Chair whether the
proper time had come to make a mo-
tlon.
Before the Chair could respond Mr..
Converse, pushing to the 'front.' moved
to strike out the enacting clause.
This was signal for display of
Kisses and groans from the Democratic
side, this demonstration being met by
rounds Of applause from the Republi-
can side.
The scene in the chamber was one
of intense excitement and confusion to
which the galleries rendered no little
aid by the loud tokens of approval
and disapproval.
Tellers being ordered, Messrs. Con-
verse and Morrison were appointed
by the Chair Before taking his place
Mr.. Morrison called to the Clerk of
the House. who was standing by the
Speakers desk, and exclaimed: "Clerk
see that no damned scoundrel who is
paired goes between the tellers."
Mr.. Clark promising to see that fair
play should be had Mr.. Morrison took
his station, giving Mr.. Converse
very cool shake of the hands
as he stood opposite that gentleman.
Then the voting began, and the tel
lers announced the affirmative vote to
be l55. The first man to pass through
in the negative was Mr. Reagan, of
Texas, who had been brought in on
an Invalid chair in order to cast his
vote. He was heartily applauded by
his friends and received many con-
gratulatlons upon his apparent recov.
cry from his late severe illness. The
negative vote was announced as Isl,
and then Mr.. Geo. D. Wise. of Vir-