New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-12
A LIVELY HOUSE DEBATE.
MR.. PHELPS ON THE DARK LANTERN" BILL
ANGRY AND UNEASY FRhE TRApsRs-sENERAL
WEAVER CONES TO GBIEF-TEE WOOL
SCHEDULE REACHED.
ny rrrrcpApu TO LIE TRIBUNE


political complexion and become extremely enter
tanning General weaver. of Iowa formerly ke-
publican some time Grccnback candidate Tor the
Presidency, ami occasional Democrat, but now
"Union Labor man in aillation with the Democrauc
party came TO grief, and d" Premier Mills rescued
lin in a badly damaged condition after his sct-to
with General Henderson, of Iowa. Mr.. Phclps's
statement respecting the mode of preparing the
Dark Lantern BILL and the conduct of the majority
since II was brought into the House was the clcares
and in many res poets the most punSent one that
has been made since the debate began He had
been silent but watchful of the stolid solldy with
which the Democrats have rejected every amendment
not approved by the caucus, and no could remain
silent no hunger Introducing the argument in favor
OF his amendment, Mr.. Phelps said in part;
DO not know. Mr. Chairman, mat II is worth while TO
say anything help thinking that whatever the
fact and whatever tbs argument, 1t will be Of no avail
and cannot help feeling that speak to court which
has already made its decision. How can feel other
wise when 1 recall the factsl The Committee on Ways
Means refused let any aborer manufacturer
tell them facts refused any Representa-
make them any argument and then withdrew into
the dark privately, TO prepare the Mills BILL coce OF
decisions which, like the laws Of the Modes and Persans
atercth not This was the first step in their great
drama. which, It is successfully carried to the end VIII
Be a tragedy to the interests of American Industry
Confronted with the parliamentary necessity OF taking
code the sunlight OF the House and INTO
dangers OF discussion forced TO take into the House
personnel Of their own bench needed 10
be enlarged by admission Of the whole OF the Demo
cratic majority there was but step left and in their
desperation they TO take It, They summoned
their majority and imposed oath upon every one OF
them that no Democratic member should vote in favor OF
any amendment adopted by the caucus no matter how
glazing mistake the folly or the Injustice which
The discussion Of the House might reveal.
Mr. Wilson. Of Minnesota, asked II Mr. Phelps meant
20 say that the Democratic caucus either imposed
an oath or a promise on members that every one
Of them would favor the Mills bill as 1t stood and
oppose any amendment.
Nh Phelps replied: 81 cannot say how binding
caucus resolution may be the conscience OF the
Democratic gentlemen who attend them, but / am.
hero 10 saw and am now answering your question,
and defy any gentleman in that caucus to contra
Diet f.. that resolution introduced and a rcso-
lufion as ! am informed unanimously passed
that no amendment introduced into this House should
receive the support of Democratic votes, unless 1t
were an amendment that had been first passed upon
aud approved by the Democratic caucus
Mr. wilson declared that the statement was I'M
true subsequently he modified his denial so as to state
that no such resolution had been adopted at any
caucus when he present. and that at caucus
when he was present the resolution had been ohered
bat not passed
Nr Phelps continued:
am very glad 10 hear that report that was teie'
eranhed by Associated Press to all the cities OF the
tinted States, which has never before been con
tadctei is today conradcted by the gentleman from
Minnesota And however hard 1t may be to believe IT,
accent tic cont, adicton although am filled with wonder
and amazement TO see how faithfully that resolution
which, il the gentleman is correct existed only IN the
Of the reporter has been obeyed oy those VINO
never heard IL introduced and who never voted for IL ID
caucus II my observations have been correct as at
here day after day there has not been amendment
however Sensible however useful introduced by gen.
ueman this side Of the House which has not been
rejected by the Democratic majority. Now, ask MI
ito fofYaf UhQ
cenve is there any practical legislaor-I mean ty
practical who does not want to waste MS
own time or to the time Of the House-what H.
ducement for him TO offer any Suggestions upon
tsis bll There is no inducement unless man is Will
inc To look over the stod Of caucused Democracy
that Sis opposite to that court OF appeals when
siis In the Senate beyond the Senate to that grandef
court OF last resort people Of the United States who
Will hear the workagman who Will hear the nsnuiacI
ufet: who will hear the representatives, OF the people,
and VINO will give their decision The chairman OF the
WAYS and Means Committee may boast that the House
will pass the bill week. assure him confidently
that the people Of the United States VIII ho' pass inc
Minis bill November
Nj Phelps had been repeatedly interrupted by
applausc and the Premier and his associates had
been growing hotter and hotter, until Mills could
endure It no longer, and he demanded wore. The
demand was not complied with and Mr.. Phelps con
timed lie wanted to offer a specimen brick to
the ednce which had been constructed In dark
ness. lie said:
shall prove that this reduction will not diminish but
will increase the income I shall prove that 1t Will
throw thousands skilled worEmen out Of employment
shall prove that machinery where they find their en-
olovre. VIII tr ,cshiIped to the from which it
came l shall summon witness who is the very man
who VIII pay this increased income in at the Custom
House the very who Will reluctantly be forced 10 dis
charge those workngnen and the same man who having
imported machinery and paid 40 per cent to get Into
this county will reship IL to the countH from
which it bought
After describing the Paterson establishment Of Bar
bonr Brothers, who also have large mills in Ireland
which founded after the enactment OF the Morrii
tasf as palace of industry and as only one OF
the larger cells which have honeycombed Paterson and
inaee it busy hive OF happy, human industry Mr.
Ph os offered the testimony Of William BARBOUR who
Is ar he head Of that establishment and for whom he
YOU d as American citizen Of aident PATRIOTISM
OF ht highest character, Of the greatest responsibility
As TED by Mr.. Phelps this testmoney in part was as
follows:
That during the past FIVE years under the present rate
Of duty the lines Of thread could be manufactured
in establishment prohaby than in hts Jer
Soy establishment anc that upon those invoices he has
paying 900 year for duty lie says now that
II the purposes Mills bill carried and this
duty is reduced from 40 per to 25 cent IL will be
profitable his four times the quantity
they import and that they will those IN
creased impOrations not the 100000 which Barbour
Brothers how pay but $50 600 per annum When Will
Barbour made that statement turned quickly to the
table where the estimates OF what is expected to be
the Of the surplus made by this reduction Of the
duty upon linen thread and found that the increased
cuiy which this sinee firm OF Barbour Brothers & Co.
viii b. obliged pay under the reduced tariff equals
substantially equals the whole amount which the trainers
Of this bin expect derive from the whole line Of linen
thread mporia,ions. There reduction OF the surplus
There IS reduction with The result OF It is
that the whole which gentlemen expect to get
into their Treasury from this industry viii be paid by
single establishment leaving the to BE- swollen
way beyond their estimate and beyond the present In
come by the duties which VIII be paid by establish
nents engaged the same industry They are not 50
large this but they large thrifty and eAsng else
where In NewJersey, in NewYork. in Pennsylvania in
Dido and I very glad see the beams
Of the dawnlng sun, even In the state OF Kentucky.
What further does my witness say7 That IT, as he
lamentations must need ba ouadrune1 in