The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-20
CONGRESS-
An Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
WEDNESDAY. DEc. y.

In the Senate, Immediately after the morn
ing hour, the tariff bill was taken up, the ques-
ton being on the amendment offered by Mr..
Jones Ark to admit hoop or bandiron (cot-
ton-tes, etc., free of duty, instead of taxing it
2-10 of l cent per pound.
Mr. Hiscock IN. Y. avowed his own under
standing that the substitute was q political
measure. The division between the parties
upon the tariff was political division. The
Republican Senators on the Finance Commit
tee had prepared the substitute from Repub-
licau standpoint Illustrating by it the prinCi-
pies of their party. He believed in a bill that
would afford adequate and complete protection
to all American industries that might bs SO
successfully prosecuted in this country as to
supply the American market. More than that,
he was willing to depend on American eOmpe-
tition to force down prices. But he was not
compelled to rely on that principle iii iustif-
cation of his opposition to the proposed amend
ment. He called attention to the provisions of
the Mills bill on the question, and claimed that
the substitute provided a less rate of duty on
these cotton ties than the Mills bill did.
Mr.. Hlscock IN. " We have been through
with canvass in which, on the Democratic
hastings throughout the country, we have
heard this cry abOut the robbery by means of the
tariff The Northern States that favor Pro-
lection were especially invaded by gentlemen
who INDUCED in that sort of defamation. The
verdict has been taken on it.
From this point the debate drfted into dis
cussiOn of the causes of the defeat of the Demo
Gratis in the last election. Mr. Reagan Tex
claiming that the tariff had not so much to do
with it as had the veto of the dependent pen
sion bill and Democratic discomfort with the
Presidents civil service policy.
Mr. Chace (R t. asked whether the disGon-
tent was because the President had not carried
out his pledges.
Mr. Reagan (Tex.l The discomfort was be-
cause he did carry cut his pledges, and because
law did not require him to do so.
Mr. Chace. The Republicans who voted for
him four years ago were discontented because
the President did not carry out his part OF the
bargain.
Mr. Reagan. That may be said for party
purposes, but history will not 50 write it down.
Mr. Dawes Mass Does the Senator from
Texas mean to say that the Presidents party
deserted him because he would not break his
pledges?
Mr.. Reagan. No, sir; do not mean that.
The amendment was finally rejected by
strict party vote-yeas Is; nays %. The SEN
ate adjourned at o'clock p m.
In the House, Mr.. Blanchard U4a.) reported
the river and harbor bill, which was referred TO
the Committee of the Whole.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the direct tax bill. Mr. Weaver
(lowa) suggested that as some of the States in
rebellion had paid the tax, the proposition to
refund it was merely proposition to pay
Southern war claim, justified in the opinion of
It's advocates, by the fact that the Northern
States got divvy.
Mr.. Walker Mo- offered an amendment pro-
yiding for the refunding Of the tax on the basis
of the present population of the States.
After long debate. during which the argu-
ments made for and against the bill during the
last session were all revived, Mr.. Walkers
amendment was rejected
After number of dilatory amendments
had been offered and voted down, the commit
tee arose and reported the bill to the House. 1t
was passed-yeas. rs; nays, 90.
The House adjourned at 4:40 o'clock.
THURSDAY, Dec. Is.
The Senate at 1910 resumed consideration
of the tariff bill, the pending question being
the amendment offered by Mr. Coke Tex to
admit cottOn-ties, etc, at the rate of 30 per
cent. ad valOrem.
Shortly afterward Mr.. Riddleberger (Va) OBJ
jected to the displacement of morning bust
ness, and said that advantage had been taken
of absenteeism, oecasioned by the business of
the Senate.
Mr.. Vance IN. c. criticised the Senate sub
stitute and declared that it was arranged with
out the slightest regard on the face of the
earth to the interests of the agricultural classes.
At this point Mr.. Riddleberger rose to point
of order
Mr. Vance. do not care what the Senator
from Virginia rises to. l decline to be inter-
rupted, | hope lie will not be permitted to in-
terrupt me any more.
The Presiding Officer (AEr. Berry Ark in
the chair. The Senator from Virginia will
state his point of order
Mr.. Riddeberger. | will do so when the
Senator from North Carolina Mr.. Yance) takes
his scat.
The Presiding Officer again required Mr. Rid
dleberger to state his point of order, but the
Senator from Virginia insisted that the rules
required a Senator to take his seat when an
other Senator rose to point of order. Finally.
as Mr. Vance retained his standing position,
and as Mr.. Riddleberger persisted in his de-
mand, the Presiding Officer ruled that the Seua-
tor from Virginia was out of order, and that
the Senator from North Carolina had the floor.
That" said Mr.. Riddleberger, Z" is because
the Senator from Arkansas Mr.. Berry, does
not know any better"
At this point Mr. ingalls, (Kan.) resumed the
chair and, with sharp rap of the gavel, rec