, 1889-02-16
In the House.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The commit
tee on ways and means reported back the
Mills tariff bill with the senate amend
ments. Referred to the committee of the
whole. The free list in the bill is almost
Identical with that of the Mills bill.
Mills also reported the following resolu-
ton, which, he said, presented a question
of privilege and the consideration of
which he would ask the house to enter
upon next Tuesday:
ReSotUed, That the substitution by the
senate under the form of an amendment
for house bill No. 905 (the Mills bil) of
another and different bill containing a
general revision of the laws imposing i'm.
port duties and internal taxes is in conflict
with the true intent and purpose of sec
ton 7, article l OF the constitution; that
said bill be returned to the senate with
the respectful suggestion that said section
vests In the house of representatives the
sole power to originate such measures.
Mckinley said the constitutional obiec-
ton raised by the majority of the commit
tee to a reduction of revenue had been
called TO the attention OF the committee
ohhf thio mOlulhR. ne therefore re-
served to the minority the right to file
their views.
The committee on foreign affairs re-
ported back the senate bill appropriating
$3.50, 900 to enable the president to pro-
tect the interests of the United States in
Panama. McCreary of Kentucky urged
the necessity of making an appropriation
to relieve the four or five thousand Ameri-
can citizens on the Panama canal in a des-
titute condition. Before action was
taken the bill was laid aside temporarily
to enable the house under special order to
consider the resolution instructing the
house conferees on the territorial bill as to
the method they should pursue in arriv-
ing at an agreement. The pending
motion was to table the motion 10
reconsider, by which the house agreed to
that portion of the resolution directing
congress to so amend the bill as to pro-
vide for the admission of South Dakota
under the Sioux Falls constitutional proc
lamation by the president without a new
vote or division The motion prevailed,
l44 to lO9. The remaining portion of
the resolution relative to the admission of
North Dakota, Montana and Washington
by proclamation was agreed to without d.
vision and the bill went again to confer
ence after the adoption Of a preliminary
~instructing clause, l49 to l0l.
The house then passed the senate bill
appropriating $3.50, 600 for the protection
of American interests in Panama.
The senate amendments to the fortifica-
ton appropriation bill we're concurred in
and a conference ordered. The pension
appropriation bill was also sent to confer
ence.
Browne of Indiana called up the senate
bill granting a pension at 500 a month
with the house amendment reducing the
rate to $75) to the widow of Brig. Gen.
Joseph B, Plummer. The amount was
agreed to and the bill passed. The SEN
ate bill also passed granting a pension of
$50 a month to the widow of Rear Adj
miral Nicholson.
On motion of Blount of Georgia, and
despite Randalrs objections, the call of
the committee for reports was dispensed
with and the house went into committee
of the whole on the post
Office amendment bill. The pend
ing amendment offered by Cannon
increasing by 100000 the appropriation
for clerks in post Offices was discussed for
some time. There was a majority in
favor of the amendment, but Blount
raised a point Of no quorum and the com
mittee rose.
The bill was passed for the payment of
"4th of July claims" 1.-THE amount in
volved is $50, 00O). The house then took
a recess, the evening session to be for the
consideration OF private pension bills
By a vote OF 9 to 5 the house COMMITTEES
on appropriations to-day resolved to re-
port favorably the substitute for Cowles'