New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-17
HELPED OUT BIZ HIS PARTE
SHARP sTRATAGEM IN THE HOUSE.

AIDING TIE PRESIDENT TO ESCAPE FROM A GUAM
Washington, April 10 (speciaD.-By what may DO
fairly called q sharp parliamentary stratagem, tho
House to-day brought TO a vote on resolution
offered by Mr. wilkins, of Ohio, declaring IL 70 DO inc
OF the House that the provision IN the suhdry
Civil Appropriation Act Of 1884, authorizing the appn
cation Of surplus in the Treasury to tho pr
chase Of bonds Of the United States is stu In force
1t was "committee suspension day." and when tho
Connfttoe on Merchant Marine and Fisheries was
called, Chairman Dunn, In accordance with prccon-
ccrted arrangement with the Speaker and MI WILKINS
waived" the right Of his committee, and yielded tho
floor to Mr.. wilkins.
The House was taken aback but General weaver
as soon the resolution had been read, made po'
of order that an Individual member had no rlght 10
offer a resolution to-day, and move to suspend inc
rules TO pass II.
The Speaker thought the point Of order came too
late. Then there hot discussion on the rcsoiu:
ton ITSELF confined to the Democratic side, except
that Mr.. Dingley granted four minutes In when
to advocate # Messrs. Hatch and Bland. Of Missouri,
and Weaver. Of Iowa, engaged in threecornered
fight and succeeded In stirring up great turmoil on
the Democratic side, which 1t took the Speaker iohg
time TO aue The Republicans endured this outbreak
of Democratic harmony" as best they could Ihey
are gradually becoming used to such scenes
Messrs Bland, weaver and other Democrats declared
and Means Committee Of the dsagreeabe task OF max
ing up its mind whether to report favorably or una
voraby on the Senate amendment to the Mills Dill re-
enacting the law Of 1891 There may have been
grain Of truth In the charge because earlier in the day
Mr.. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, member OF that com-
mlttee had offered resolution Identical with tho ono
proposed by Mr. wilkins, and had 1t referred to the
Ways and Means Committee. In whose custody is tho
Mills BILL with the Senate amendment. There is a
strong suspicion that for party reasons the Democrats
IN tho House anxious to avoid. for the present at
least, any discussion of the Senate amendment to the
Mills bill The advocates OF Mr.. WklnSs resolution
to-day dwelt especially tho Imminent danger OF
financial crash unoss the President and Secretary or
the Treasury shall be somehow convinced that they
possess authority under the present law to apply the
surplus revenue to the purchase of bonds.
II looks though the Administration has az iast
become conscious that tho covert threat coDtaned IN
Mr. Clcvelands free trade message that panic woun
follow unless there should be prompt reduction OK
the surplus ~ means Of revision OF tho tarlH is
likely TO reco upon the party. 1t may be that tho
the President to the authority to purchase bonds
has had the effect TO lock up good deal OF money
which Is not in the Treasury. In other words that
prudent business have been shaping their affairs
10 meet crisis which the President declared to be
imminent whatever may be the motive, 1t is evt-
dent that something like panic has struck the Ad-
Congress to do something to let the President down
easy and give him an excuse TO do the thing which
all along he has had full authority to do under the
present law.
It is not the business Of Congress, either branch
OF It, to construe the law. If the President had
doubt to his authority be might have called upon
the Attorney General for oonstructon OF the law
Congress amounts to nothing as matter OF legal con
strcon and both the President and Secretary OF tho
Treasury know 1t. -
the negative votes being cast by thrty-three Demo-
Gratis and thirty-One Republicans.