The Portland daily press., 1888-07-13
AVERY BREEZY DAY IN CONGRESS.
Butler, of South Carolina, Calls Blair
an Incubus
Because Blair Says Cleveland Ought
to be Sued for Libel.
Continuation Of the Great Tariff De-
bate In the House.

WASHINGTON, July 12.-In the Senate to-
day, resolution to print extra copies Of the
report Of the committee on pensions in the
case Of seven vetoed pension bills was the
text Of some political discussion.
Senator Cockrell, Of Missouri, moved an
amendment to print 100000 extra copies Of
the Presidents vetoes.
Senator Hawley made a vigorous attack
on the President for his vetoes and the re-
Elections made by them on Congress.
Senator Blair, Of New Hampshire, said the
President had vetoed quite as good bills as
those he had approved. Taken as a whole
the vetoed cases were cases Of absolute mer-
1t. The vetoes were outrages on the rights
of American citizens. Many of the veto
messages were ibels upon Congress, offen-
ces for which men in private life would as
sail each other, at least, in the courts.
Senator Butler. Of South Carolina. replied
to Mr.. Blair, saying that If there had been
any incumbrance, any incubus on a sensible,
respectable, orderly discharge Of the duties
Of the Senate, it had been In the person of
the Senator from New Hampshire, and in
the measures he introduced.
The debate was kept up hot and heavy for
some time. Finally Senator Blair said he
ulu HOb Qullc uuutToLduu WUdL LNt OtudLUT
meant by inslnuating that the Senator from
New Hampshire was a demag0gue. The
Senator from New Hampshire was not q
traitor and was not indebted for his life to
the mercy Of his country. IL he Blair had
offered measures in the Senate which had
notImet the approval Of the Senator from
South Carolina, he had only 10 say that, If
the measure which he supposed the Senator
had in his mind Educational bilD had been
the law Of the land quarter OF a century
| fhara xuQu1d hava fraa MAJ atRA .
free ballot In the southern part Of the coun-
try as well as in the North, and the institu .
tions Of America would not have been
threatened with destruction by the unsue-
cessful rebellion, which planted itself now
under the forms OF government and boasted
1t was doing its work under the old flag.
Referring to an allusion by Senator But
Ter to his (Blair's) courage, he remarked
that while he claimed no excess Of courage
and never expected to be called upon to ex-
hlbit even the ordinary courage OF Senator
or civilian, he would not shrink from any
test, probably, which the Senator from
South Carolina might seek to subject him to.
Without disposing of the subject, the SEN
ate at 2 o'clock, proceeded to the considera-
ton of the fisheries treaty in open executive
session.
There was an address by Senator George
OF Mississippi, In favor Of its ratification.
He said the question Of ratification or rejee-
tion OF the treaty bad already been settled in
secret caucus on the other side Of the Cham
Der. The treaty had been predestined to re-
lection for reasons unknown to the world.
The Senate then took up the bill referring
to the court Of claims the claims of labor
ers, workmen and mechanics employed un-
der the government since the 25th Of June
1868, for the excess of labor over eight hours
fixed by the law Of that date as total days
work.
The bill was discussed by Messrs. Cock
rell. Blair. Payne, Vest and others.
Senator Blair said it was estimated that
the cost under the bill would be from $1,000
600 to S4,0O0,000
Senator Dawes favored reference Of the
matter to the accounting officers Of the treas
ury. Many OF these claims were for very
small amounts. The men should not be
compelled TO institute suits. He would IA
vor a law directing the accounting officer of
the treasury to audit these claims, appro-
priating sufficient amount to pay them.
tomorrow.
In the House Of Representatives today
Mr.. Ford OF Michigan, from the committee
on military affairs, reported back a resolu-
tion Tor the appointment of a special com
mittee TO investigate the alleged evasions Of
the contract labor law. A debate followed.
Mr.. Cox Of New York, said the Italians
were coming into this country at the rate of
$4,000 year, under influences that should
be inquired into. There had come into New
York in one month $4,000 men who did not
to wealth and labor.
The resolution was adopted.
The House then went into committee OF
the whole on the tariff bill, under the agree
ment that no vote be taken ON the pending
wool schedule today.
Mr.. Pugsley, Of Ohio, opposed the sched-
ule, contending that 1t would destroy the
sheep growing industry, and incidentally
make unavailable much Of the poor land Of
the country. The duty on wool should he
increased, and II done there would be In the
country 100,0OO,000 sheep instead OF AZ. 900 600
and two million growers instead of one mil.
lion.
Mr. Morse, OF Massachusetts, criticized the
in refusing to make any revision of the tar.
Id, and refusing to allow the Democrats TO
make a revision. He was not free trader.
nor an enemy Of the American laborer. vet
ne ne, favored revision Of the tariff. III this
Diii was the only measure before the House