The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-08
THE MILLS BILL.
The Measure Passes by a Major
ity of Thirteen Votes.
Scenes in Congress When the
Final Vote Was Taken.

The Mills Tariff Reduction bill was brought
up for final consideration on Saturday in the
House of Representatives, and upon vote
being taken it was passed by majority Of
thirteen votes.
The fact that Mr.. Mills would close the de-
bate in speech commencing at halfpast
eleven o'clock was sufficient TO fill the public
and private galleries long before that hour.
The vote shows that 311 of the 325represent-
atives were present. The fourteen ahsentees,
including Mr.. Randall, were paired.
Punctual to the minute, Mr.. Mills arose
and began to speak. He began by Offering
some slight verbal amendments, and then
launched into his speech. He had uttered
but few sentences when the door of the
executive gallery was thrown open and
Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. Folsom entered.
Mr.. Mills spoke with unusual vigor and
earnestness, and his Democratic colleagues
enthusiastically applauded him. The vote
was taken Immediately at the conclusion Of
his remarks, and was attended with little e1-
element The Republicans made no effort
to recommit the bill, nor did they offer
substitute for it.
The yeas and nays were then ordered on
the final passage of the bill, when Mr. Sow
den, Of Pennsylvania, obtained recognition
and said that his distinguished colleague, MIR
Randall, who was absent from the House by
reason of severe illness, had sent him letter
which he wished to have read at this time.
"JULY 10, 1885,
"Hon. W. Fl: Sowden, House of Representa-
tiues:
"MY DEAR S1R-n q vote on Mr.. Mills's
Tariff bill is to be taken on Saturday, the
21st inst, fear my strength by reason Of
recent illness will not permit my presence in
the House on that day, and if absent want
you to secure me pair with some one who
favors that bill, as would, if present, record
my vote in opposition to it. Give this imme-
diate care as do not want to be misunder-
stood. want it announced and distinctly
known that I am opposed to the passage Of
the bill in question. Yours truly,
SAMUEL j. RANDALL"
The letter was loudly applauded by the
Republican members of the House The roll
call was then proceeded with, and the bill
was passed-yeas 1852 nays 149.
Messrs Sowden, of Pennsylvania, and
Greenman, Merriman and Bliss, Of New
York Democrats, voted against the bill, and
Mr.. Fitch, Of New York, and Mr.. Nelson,
of Minnesota Republicans), voted for it.
Three of the independent members also
voted yea. The following pairs were
annoucced: In favor Of the bill
Messrs. Hogg, Whiting, of Michigan, Bel
",
the bill-Messrs. Randall, Heistand, Daven..
port, Spooner, Browne, Of Indiana, and
Woodburn.
The announcement of the result was greeted
with applause, and it was with some difficulty
that Mr.. Mills succeeded in quieting his
enthusiastic colleagues long enough to enable
him to make motion to reconsider and table,
which was carried.
During the calling of the roll intense inter
fal
members provided themselves with roll calls
and kept tally as each vote was announced.
The first member in regard to whose vote
there was some doubt who was reached
upon the call was Mr.. Anderson, of Iowa,
who was elected as an independent with
Republican proclivties, and as he cast
his vote with the Democrats those
gentlemen vigorously applauded him,
The next gentleman whose vote gained him
York, and as he cast his vote against the bill
it was the Republican side that paid him the
compliment.
Mr.. Fitch, Of New York, when bis name
was called, replied in vigorous Affirmative
which gained him hearty greetings from the
Democratic side, which were ecounterbalanced
in few moments by Republican applause
when Mr.. Greenman, Of New York, answered
in the negative.
MT MoTTlIudIl, VI NcW 1Oi u, mdo oLoo dp
plauded when he voted against the bill, but
the greatest demonstration accorded any
gentleman was that rendered to Mr.. Nelson,
Of Minnesota, when he answered to his name
in the affirmative. Mr. Sowden, Of Pennsyl-
vania, came in for Republican applause as
he voted "No."
After the roll had been called, but before
the announcement had been made, the
Speaker directed the clerk to call his name,
and he voted in favor Of the bill