The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-08-02
THE MILLS TARIFF BILL.
Dramatic Incidents Connected With Its Passage
: Through the Honsc by . Majority ofThirteen.

Through the Honsc BY . Majority ofThirteen.
According to general expectation the Mills
tariff bill passed the house on Saturday,
emit to see the closing debate.
Tho central figure was Mrs. Cleveland who
gave the Endorsement of her presence to the
Mills bill when Mr.. Mills made his opening
speech, and who vas there to represent the
president and his approval at the
sides were Mrs. Secretary Endicott and her
daughter and the wives of a few senators and
bureau officers. The diplomatic gallery was
hlled with people who are not diplomats, al
though some Of them have been and Others
hope to be. The speakers seat in the gallery
was occupied by the wife of the speaker and
invited guests, and all the rest Of the galleries
were crammed to the last remnant Of stand.
ing o by crowds which will always con-
"feld day"
The members came early, and were in their
seats when the gavel fell. They did notleave
them until it fell again, when the long roll
had been twice called and the bill was declared
passed by thirteen majority. Mr.. Mills, rud-
dy o fface and white of mustache, was among
the first to take a seat. The previous ques-
ton was to be moved by 11:3O, and the
house convened at H.. Promptly at 11:3O
Mr.. Mills commenced the speech of an hour,
WHICH was TO close the debate. s
The previous question was ordered at l
O'Clock, and at once the calling of the long
roll began. The roll call was followed with
the greatest interest. The speaker did not
find it necessary to command the house to
silence. 1t was silent. Something of dra-
matte effect was added to the roll call by the
reading of the letter of Mr.. Randall Just be-
iore IN which ne announced his opposition
Mr.. RandalPs letter, dated June 10 and ad.
dressed to Hon. w.. A. Sowden, is as follows:
If q vote on Mr.. Mills tariff bill ia to be
taken Saturday, the 21st inst, I fear nv
strength, by reason of recent illness, will not
permit my presence in tho house on that day
and If absent l want you to secure me a pair
would, II present, record my vote in opposl-
ton to it. Give this immediate care, as I do
not wan to be misunderstood. Iwantit an
nounced and distinctly known that I am op-
posed to the passage of the bill in question.
As the roll proceeded the frst name to at
tract attention was that of Anderson of
Iowa.. He voted, as he has done throughout
the congress, with the Democrats and for the
Dill. The Democrats ~applauded his response
as 1t in securing On Independent vote they
had scored a victory. They soon learned,
however, that he laughs best who laughs last,
for hardly had the vote of Anderson been re-
corded for the bill when Bliss of New
VII ~ VIII TopICScuJb ulululic-
~turers, and who said that if he should vote
for the mills bill he would be defeated by
5000, voted nay in a clear voice. This was
a Democratic Roland for Republican Oliver.
The next name to attract attention was that
OF Brewer of North Carolina. He voted for
the bill because of the slight reduction on the
tobacco tax.
Then came upon the roll call the greatest
sensation of the day-Kuute Nelson of Min
nesota Both sides watched him closely, for
both sides expected his vote. Both sides un-
derstood that they had his assurance that he
would vote with them: He spoke of favor Of
something1ike the, bill at the beginning of the
he received the eulogies of the friends
OF the bill from that hour but
all through the debate In the committee
OF the whole Mr.. Nelson has spoken and voted
generally with the Republicans. One of the
Republicans sold that Nelson had given as
surances that he would vote against the
Mills bill. But if Mr.. Nelson made such
promise he made them to the ear clone, for
when his name was called he voted aye.
There was tremendous applause on the
Democratic side long continued. With the
applause there were heard some hisses. Mr..
Nelson himself was evidently not pleased to
attract 80 much attention. He leaned for
seemed altogether i'll at ease. There were no
further notable Incidents as the roll coll pro-
ceeded. Sowden voted as he said be would,
against the bill. Foran. who has vigorously
opposed the bill, lodged. The last name
called was that Of Speaker Carlisle, who voted
for the bill in tho midst of applause. The
vote on the bill was q party vote except that
Of Sowden, Merriman, Bliss, and Greenman,
Democratic, voted with the Republicans;
Fitch and Nelson, Republicans, voted with
the Democrats, and the independents Ander.
son Iowa) and Smith (Wis.) voted with the
Democrats. When the speaker announced
the passage of the bill the Democrats broke
into cheers and waved bandanas wildly In
the Dir.