The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-06-30
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

The notable event of the week in Congress
was the warm tariff discussionin he House of
Representatives, during which the Dem
! leaders Morrison and Randall locked horns
over the party's tariff pledge. The battle
unexpectedly sprung from proposition from
| the great revenue reformer to pay pensions
| with tax on incomes Several dozen Con-
gressmen took part in this engagement and
pungent personalities passed on all sides.
The galleries filed up rapidly as the discus
sion proceeded, and many Senators left the
! monotonous business Of their Chamber to
be witnesses of the fray.
Mr.. Morrisons resolution providing for
an income tax for the payment of all bills for
pensions took the legislators completely by
while he was reading it save the whispers
from small coterio of Republicans who
gathered hurridly around the seats Of their
leaders, Reod and Hiscock. Their consul
ta.;on was quick and decisive.
When Mr.. Morrison had concluded, Mr..
Reed arose and characterized the PROPOSE.
ton as an invidious distinction against pen
sion legislation. Mr.. Hiscock said it was
more than this; it was an attempt to evade
the responsibility of the defeat Of pension
Legislation by a direct vote. MIR. Cannon Of
III. in q fit of sarcasm, gave notice that he
would move to attach q provision raising
revenue to meet the expenditures of river
and harbor bills, and bills for the erection
Of public buildings.
Up to this time the Republicans had had
everything their own way. Mr.. Randall
nov came to the defense of Mr.. Morrison
He said the remarks of the latter gentleman
were so clear and comprehensive that they
left little for others to say. He conceded to
the Republicans a full measure Of patriotism,
but be claimed for his OWL side like spirit
If Congress granted pensions, it ought
to provide the money to pay them, but so
far as he knew, there was no gentleman on
the floor who was ready to do entire justice
to the soldier. Some might differ as to the
method or extent to which Congress should
go.
More Democratic and more Republican
arguments followed, Messrs. Mckinley, Of
Ohio, and Hiscock being the next Republi-
can champions. The latter in trium phant
tone, made some assertions about the brck-
en- pledges Of the party in power and sat
down amid the applause Of the Republicans
side.
The House had now become thoroughly
warmed up on the pension issue when A1r.
Reed switched it off on the tariff track. He
began by taunring the Democratic party
with having been unable to get its tariff
bill even considered, and Gen. Bragg, Of
Wis, was the Democratic Representative,
who, although lie saw a collision ahead, did
not hesitate to follow He is no respecter of
persons and when he smites at all, strikes
with a vengeance. II am delighted" he
said, at 1r. Reeds reference to the failure
of this House to consent to the consideration
of revenue bills. It shows what sort Of COM
tempt the Republicans Of the House feel for
those who have been recreant to their faith
and their pledges" AS he finished this SEN
tcnce with vindictive earnestness, the Hall
fairly rang with applause. Gen. Bragg
paced the aisle in a dramatic way, pointing
to Mr. Randall the time he was arraignlng
him for voting as he did upon the tariff bill
Z. Week ago.
Mr.. Randall sat quietly in his chair, never
taking his eyes from Bragg until the latters
ten minutes expired. Then he was upon
his feet and the Republicans went rushing
to the democratic side, while the Democrats
stood up. The faintest whisper was audible
when the distinguished Pennsylvania, with
clutched hands raised aloft stepped quickly
down the passageway and turning towards
Bragg said, Neither the gentleman from
Wis. nor any one else dare charge me with
deserting my party" He continued at some
length in reply to General Bragg for whom
he said he had a contempt and supposed it
was mutual.
But the scenic climax was reached when
finally the noted protectionist turned his at
tention to the famous free trader. The two
gesticulating gentlemen faced each other at
arms-length distance. Did the Chicago
Convention call for free wool?" Mr. Randall
asked. 1t did, Mr.. Morrison replied firm
IL, sat least three fourths of it did"
Would Mr.. Cleveland have been elected"
Mr.. Randall asked, "if the Chicago Conyen-
ton had declared for free raw ,uaterials?"
He would have gotten more votes than he
did" replied Mr.. Morrison warmly, and the
Democrats applauded.