Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1884-04-23
THE TARIFF ISSUE.
Squarely Before Congress and
the Country, But Only Two
Votes to Spare.

Squarely Before Congress anC
the Country, But Only Two
Votes to Spare.
WASHINGTON, April l5.-The tariff
question was sprung upon the House
and upon the country to-day by &
majority of two votes. On this slender
thread had it hung for days and weeks
Little else had been talked of during
this time Up to the minute of taking
the yeas and nays members represent
ing both factions were anxious anc
doubtful as to the result The degree
of accuracy of calculation on the vote
was mea sured by these dispatches las
night, which varied but six votes from
the final result On the matter of consid
Grafton. This, in a House Of 325
members, shows how finely the fgur'
ing on both sides was conducted. 1t
beats anything of the kind on record
When the house opened this morning
it was with pretty full attendance OF
both sides. The galleries were not
more than half occupied at the begin
ming, but rapidly filed up, and by the
time the morning hour expired presen
ted sea of faces, broken only by the
empty diplomatic gallery. During the
morning hour a number of unimpor
tant measures got through without
objection, owing to the general atten
tion being absorbed by what was to
come. A great deal of hubbub was
created by private discussion, and the
Republican and Democratic whips
were busy in the seats, aisles, CLOAK
rooms and corridors So great wa:
the confusion that the Speakers gave
handle was in active play much of the
time, and several times business was
suspended that order might be restor
ed.
MORRISON AND RANDALL
were the chief objects of interest from
the galleries, an interest which was
also shared by other members Judge
Kelly appeared to have suddenly be
came the leader On the minority side
and around him Hiscock, Kasson
Reed and other Republican leader:
gathered for inspiration Mr.. Randall
sat in his seat, the first time for sever
al days, and his Democratic adherents
seemed to lean upon him heavily fol
advice and comfort. Mr.. Morrison
was very nervous. He fdgeted about
in his chair and twisted his fingers
and occasionally got up and walked
about the aisles. He was not still 6
minute, and looked quite grave and
serious. 1t was an important occa
sion for him. He was followed about
by some Of his brother reformers like 6
bell-wether in pasture.
Finally the suspense got too great
for Morrison to bear, and he rose and
cut short Sam Cox, Richard Robinson
and Mr. Finerty, who had just entered
upon petty wrangle over a PROPOSE
tion to permit an ensign of the navy
to accept foreign decoration, by call.
ing for the regular order. The sound
of his voice had more salutary effect
upon the House than the Speakers
gavel, for the babel of sounds immedi-
ately became hushed into funeral still.
ness. Every eye in the vast audience
above and below was on him. Mr.
Morrison followed up his success with
a motion to 60 into Committee Of the
Whole to consider revenue bills.
When the Speaker put the question
there was loud "aye" frem the Dem
ocratic side TO feeble "no" from the
forces Some Republican
shouted division" But it was evi-
dent he didn't understand the Repub.
lican programme, for Judge Kelly
arose and said he hoped his side would
not insist here. So the House went
into committee, with Cox in the chair,
without opposition.