The Portland daily press., 1888-04-12
Mr.. REED AND THE FILIBUSTERS.
Trouble Caused by Men from States
with Unpaid Taxes.
Democratic Members at Last Agree
to Let the House Adjourn.
Granite from Maine Quarries for the
New Congressional Library.

WASHINGTON, April 11.-In reply to ques-
tions in regard to the present situation in
the House. Hon. T. B. Reed said: "The
state of affairs at Washington in the House
seems without parallel. No political bill
is involved and no political passions have
been aroused. 1t is pure and simple strug-
gle on the part of the small minority to con-
troll the House. Under the Constitution the
maiorit, should rule. No government by
the people is possible without it. In order
to make you understand the situation, will
state the facts.
Eight days ago the committee on rules
unanimously agreed upon distribution of
DAYS among the different kinds OF business
pending before the House. Among other as
signments two days were given for the bill
to repay the direct tax. When the direct
tax was paid, some States paid and some did
not. Obviously all ought to be treated alike.
Either those which didn't pay should pay, or
those which did pay should have their money
returned. For the Southern States to pay
would be a hardship which nobody wants to
infiict. The treasury is now so full that 1t
threatens to cause a contraction OF the cur
rency and money panic. Obviously to pay
just debt there could be no better time. So
plain was the case that the Senate has three
times passed this bill, and the last time with
ten opposing votes. Messrs. Beck, Reagan,
Voorhees,, Coke and Harris, among others,
voted for it. When the proposal to give two
days to the discussion of this bill reached
the House it met the approval of all except a
few persons from States which had not paid.
They began even then to filibuster, but it
being suspension day Mr.. Randall passed
the resolution by vote of 155 to "A, more
than three to one. When the days come for
the consideration of the bill flibustering was
resumed. Every facility was offered repeat,
edly, again and again. for both debate and
amendment. No limit was put on either:
Nothing, however, would content the small
minority of eighty but the utter defeat OF the
majority, and so the matter hangs. While
declaring against taking $1,000, 900 from the
treasury, 1t is an open secret that IL sos, S,OOO,-
600 cotton tax could be added, these very
men would cease their opposition. So hard
has Mr.. Oates been pushed for a defensi6le
excuse which he can give to the pubic Tor
his indefenslble conduct and that OF his assO-
ciates, that he has furnished the newspapers
with story about lobbyists, State agents
and other wicked persons who are to get
some of this money. How absurd this is
can be seen by reading clause in the very
bill we are trying to pass. which reads as
follows: That no part of the money hereby
appropriated shall be paid out by the COVER
person, to any attorney or agent under any
contract for services now existing or hereto
fore made between the Representative of
any State or Territory and any attorney or
agent.
ciary committee, supposing 1t to affect only
South Carolina, proposed to strike It out /;
but the House will not so act. The bill will
pass with the clause in it. This clause utter
ly destroys any contract even II made, and
oil uxxyi11 m ba of
istered. Mr.. Oates knew this. and hence he
puts this alarming intelligence into the news
papers and not into his speech. he did. how
ever, put into his report the statement that
he would offer to amend by adding the $685.
100000 of cotton tax"
Democrats in Caucus.
One hundred and twenty-five Democratic
members Of the House attended the caucus
this evening. Mr.. Cox presided. Messrs.
Cox, Holman and Oates advocated harmony.
After long discussion, the caucus adopted
a resolution to the effect that the House on
reassembling tomorrow, adjourn, with the
understanding that the committee ON rules
report a special order setting apart Decem-
Der 9th, next, for the consideration Of the di-
rect tax bill, three days to be allowed then
for debate, and the final vote to occur at p.
m. on the following Tuesday.
tempt to prevent the carrying out of the
Democratic caucus programme Mr.. Cannon
of Illinois, chairman of the Republican eau
Gus committee, said he thought the Republi
cans would not resort to revolutionary pro-
ceedings to prevent adjournment tomorrow.
The general understanding is that the Demo-
cratic members will abide by the decision of
the caucus.
Maine Granite for the Library.
Tho oooorase;opol lihrarv communication 10
day, contracted with Stout, Hall & Bangs of
Washington, for stone for the sub-basement
wall of the rotunda and west face of the
congressional library building, the contract
price being $257.750. The granite will be
taken from Hurricane Island and Doblin
Hill and Somes Sound quarries, Maine.
The Fisheries Treaty.
The Senate committee on foreign relations
further considered the fisheries treaty this
morning but did not conclude the matter and
will have another meeting next Saturday
The Pension List.
The following Maine pensions we're grant,
ed today;
ORIGINAL, INVALID.
William w. Ceathers, South Orrington.
James Denne Grant, alias James Denne, Ma
George W. Emmons, deceased, Hollis Centre.
William Reed, Bethel.
David Howard, Weld.
James Wright, National Military Home.
RESTORATION AND INCREASE.
Moses o. Crafts, Auburn.
INCREASE.
Elisha Besse (old war;, Bridgewater.
REISSUE.
Tristram II. Warren, Abbott Village.
ORIGINAL.
Margaret E., widow of Martin Weed, Brewer.
Andrew, father of Francis b. Gray, Salisbury
Cove.
Notes.
The Senate has confirmed the nomination
of j. l.. Rathbone as Consul General at Paris