Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-08-03
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 Saturday in the
House of Representatives, and upon a vote
being taken it was passed by majority of
thirteen votes.
The fact that Mr.. Mills would close the de-
bate in a speech commencing at half past
eleven o'clock was sufficient TO fill the public
and private galleries long before that hour
The vote shows that 81 of the 325 represent
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 appiauded him. The vote
was taken Immediately at the conclusion of
his remarks, and was attended with little ex
element. The Republicans made no effort
to recommit the bill, nor did they offer a
substitute for it.
The yeas and nays We're then ordered on
the final passage of the bill, when Mr.. Sow
den, of Pennsylvania, obtained recognition
and said that his distinguished colleague, Mr..
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.
The letter was read as follows:
July 49, 1885,
"Hon. ". II. Soocde,s, House Of Representa-
tires:
'.MY DEAR SIR-If a 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 I would, if present record
my vote in opposition to it. Give this imme-
diate care, as do not want to be misunder-
stood. l want it announced and distinctly
known that [ 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 1872, 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,
f braa of be voted for it.
annoucced: In favor Of the bill
Messrs. Hogg, Whiting, of Michigan, Bel
mont, Perry, Glover and /, Granger. Against
port, Spooner, Browne, of Indiana, and
WOODBURY..
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
est was manifested on the floor. and many
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 proclivities, and as he cast
his vote with the Democrats those
gentlemen vigorously appauded him,
The next gentleman whose vote gained him
a round of applause was Mr.. Bliss, of New
York and as ne cast his vote against the bill
it was the Republican side that paid him the
compliment.
Nj. Fitch, of New York, when his name
was called, replied in vigorous affirmative
which gained him hearty greetings from the
Democratic side. which were counterbaanced
in a few moments by Republican applause
when Mr.. Greenman, of New York, answered
in the negative.
Mr. Merriman, of New York, was also APP
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.