The Press., 1884-05-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, D. C., May 10, 1884.
 The wild applause which broke out in the house of representatives on Tuesday, when the result of the tariff vote was an- nollnced, revealed the deep feeling which existed on the subject underneath appar- ent indifference For once, roll call was followed from name to name with more absorbed attention, both on the floor and in the galleries, than the most eloquent speech The importance of the question involved and the uncertainty of the issue combined to invest the result with extra ordinary interest, and when the suspense was happily over, the joy of the victors was expressed in such an uproar of cheers and screams as is seldom heard in delib- erative assembly. On that day the house of represen natives was almost as much of an attraction as Barnum's circus, which was showing ia an other part of the city. Immense crowds turned their steps toward the capitol at an early hour, and the de- mand for seats far exceeded the supply. The scene in corridors, on the floor, and in the galleries was suggestive of adjourn ment day. The ladies were out in force, the diplomatic gallery was over filled with representatives of foreign nations, and of the 324 members only ten failed to answer at the final roll call, on the motion to strike out the enacting clause of the Morrison horizontal tariff bill. Among the distin- guished visitors on the floor of the house were Justice Harlan, Minister Foster, and Senators Hampton, GroOme, Jackson, Max ey, George, Cullom, Sawyer, Merrill, Lo- gan, Slater, and Miller of California. MT. Randall arose, looking anxious but calm,
 and spoke against the policy of unsettling
 business interests by constant tinkering
 with the tariff He was followed by Rep
 resentative Blackburn in a speech that was
 well received by his political associates.
 Rep Kasson made the last speech in op-
 position to the bill, and then the chairman
 of the ways and means committee closed
 the long, bitter debate amid applause from
 the democratic side Hon. MT. Converse
 being ordered. he and MT. Morrison were appointed by the chair Before taking his l position MT. Morrison called to the clerk of the house, who was standing by the
 speakers desk, ''Mr. Clark, see that nc scoundrel who is paired goes between the tellers." The clerk promising that fail l play should be had, MT. Morrison stepped to his place and gave MT. Converse very
 cool hand shake, as he stood opposite, ac cording to the usual formality. Repre- sentative Willis suggested that MT. Con : verse, whose seat is on the democratic sidt of the chamber, have seat hereafter witt
 the republicans. The voting began. The - result was 159 yeas to 155 nays, and thus g the tariff bill received its death blow. The father of the dead issue maintained SC I rene exterior and walked quietly to hi
 seat. Kisses and groans came from tht
 democratic side, and cheer followed cheer l on the republican side of the hall. Ladies
 ll2S-. 1>s1 1fe ' and men swung papers and hats over thei 3 heads. Never has there been more doubt v ful or more exciting vote in congress. Int a divided democracy will now transfer it , quarrel to the national convention, where as the free traders say, there will be no re l publicans.
 |, While the house was killing the tarif g bill, the senate was voting down ''fret ships," and Senators Beck and Dawes were having lively personal coloquy, in whicl : the Kentucky statesman lost his tempe ? and said bitter things. On the following
 day, however, there was a complete recon
 ciliatien. MT. Beck began by withdrawing
 his unpleasant remarks about MT. Dawes . and expressing his high esteem for the lat ? ter. In response MT. Dawes declared tha Y nothing MT. Beck, could say would lesser
 his regard for the senator from Kentucky : and they each indulged in complimentar,
 words toward the other, as the best way t, D dispose of those used in the heat of debate 3 The Siamesse embassy which is now wis ! iting Washington and seeing the sights
 came to this country for the purpose o s seeing and examining tools, machinery l. and firearms. When they called on thu president, the other day, they made quite
 an imposing appearance attired in full cos
 tune. They wore, black helmets, tight fit ting coats, with heavy gold embroidery loose silk knee brooches, white silk stock , ings, patent leather slippers, and gold
 mounted swords.