The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-16
MEMBERS TALK TARIFF.
HATCH SPRINGS IT BY ASKING AN
INVESTIGATION.

Opposition to the Proposition-He
Asserts That a Fair Investigation
Could MOI Be Had, and That the Re-
quest is Political Buncomb.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The House,
which to-day entered upon the eleventh
week of It's labors, was called TO order by
Clerk Kerr, who read communication
from the speaker designating Mr.. McMil-
Ian as speaker pro TEN. Speaker Crisp's
absence was in obedience TO his physicians
advice. He suffered from a severe head
ache yesterday and thought it advisable 10
remain at his home to-day. There Is moth
ing serious in his indsposition. and he hopes
to be able to WELD the gavel tomorrow.
This being SUSPENSION Monday, Mr.. Hatch
of Missouri, from the committee on agri-
culture moved to suspend the rules and
adopt a resolution requesting that commit
Zee to report the effect upon agriculture Of
the present tariff law.
Mr.. By mum Of Indiana demanded a sec
ond and tue request of Mr.. Hatch, that a
second be considered as ordered, was OBJ
lected to by Mr. Kilgore of Texas. Messrs.
Kilgore and Hatch were appointed tellers
and reported the vote as 123
TO 2. The republicans did not
vote, but no one raised the point Of mo
quorum" and Mr.. Kilgore was recognized
to oppose the resolution, but declined 20
avail himself Of the recognition, stating
that he was not opposed to it, although be
believed that it was originally offered as a
piece of buncombe.
Mr.. Funston Of Kansas, however, raised
his voice in opposition. If he believed that
there could be a fair and impartial investi-
CATION of the effects OF the present tariff
law on agricultural interests. he would be
in favor of it. 1t could hardly be expected,
however. that an investigation Of this char
acter could be made without being made
upon a party basis. The resolution was
adopted.
STARTED A DEBATE.
Mr.. Funston's speech started lively de-
baLe, bringing out three or fonr of the alli-
ance members in support of the resolu-
ton.
CALLED DOWN BY GEoRGIANS.
Mr.. Funston, while commenting upon the
prosperity Of the farmers, was frequently
interrupted by Messrs. Livingston and
Watson of Georgia, but he declined to
yield, only remarking that they had told
the farmers the contrary because they
would not have been elected had they told
the truth. He challenged the democrats to
bring in bill to repeal the Mckinley act,
end taunted them with cowardice in their
tariff policy
Mr.. Moses of Georgia held that the farm
ers of the country had right to inform
congress what effect the tariff law had upon
their products The Mckinley bill was not
in the interest OF the farmers, "Farmer
Funston" to the contrary notwithstand-
ing.
Mr.. Lewis of Alabama expressed the
opinion that from the role Farmer Funston
acted in this tragedy, he was better
equipped as witness in court than as one
to testify here as TO what was for the benefit
of the great farming interests OF the coun-
try. The gentleman from Kansas objected
to this resolution because, he
said, it was introduced for political
effect, and because u majority of the COM
mittee on agriculture was composed of
democrats. Could NOT the came thing be
said of every report made by every cons
mittee o. the last congress9 When the gen.
tleman spoke of the prosperity of the
farmer, he was either profoundly ignorant
OF the effect of the Mckinley bill or he
willfully aud deliberately misrepresented
the situation.
LIVINGSTON REPLIES.
Mr.. Livingston Of Georgia. in a two
minute speech, took issue with Mr.. Funston
farmer. The gentleman from Kansas
seemed to be afraid of justice. He (Mr.
Livingston supposed that the committee on
agriculture was an honest body, and the
imputation that the gentleman made that
1t could not be depended upon to make an
honest report was &ot justi1able. The
farmers OF the country would be heard on
this floor; If not now, IN the next congress,
and the gentleman from Kansas could take
due notice.
Mr.. Mckinney of New Hampshire, the
author OF the resolution, denied that it had
been offered for political effect. he be-
lieved that it was proper that congress
should investigate this question in order
that the people should know what effect the
tariff law had upon the agricultural inter-
ests.
ENLOE'S BILL.
Mr.. Enloe of Tennessee. replying to re-
mark made by Mr.. Funston that the demo-
Gratis dare not bring in bill to repeal the
Mckinley law, stated that he had intro
duced a measure for that purpose.
Mr.. Simpson of Kansas spoke Of the de-
preston of the farming industry in his
state. Referring to the burning of corn as
fuel in his state, he said that by the light of
that corn fire the farmers read the history
OF the Republican party, and that was the
reason the alliance had carried the state at
the last election.
Mr.. Hatch made a one-minute speech in
support of the resolution, and bore testi-
mony to the fairness and impartiality of
the committee on agriculture in dealing
with questions of this character. The reso-
luton was then adopted without division.
Mr.. Hatch, who has been pressing this
| resolution. says he regarded its adoption as
| the first shot fired against the target of the
| Mckinley bill, and he believes it will have
| its effect. He thinks that an investigation
will show that that law has been detri-
mental to the agricultural interests, and that
the committee Oh agriculture will find no
difficulty in obtaining voluntarily, wit
nesses to testify as to the sing facts
Mr.. Cultivate of Ohio, from the COM
nittee on military affairs. moved to sus-
pend the rules and pass che bill to establish
| lineal promotion in the army. After a
short discussion, the opposition being led
| by Mr.. Breckenridge of Kentucky.
The motion was agreed to and the bill
was passed. The bill provides that all pro-
motions in the lines of the artillery, cavalry
and infantry up to the grade of colonel,
shall be by seniority in the next lower
grade. according TO the original entry into
the regular service as commissioned officer.
MIR. Mansur Of Missouri, from the COM
mittee on territories, moved to suspend the
rules and pass bill extending the laws Of
| Missouri relative to mines and mining over
the Indian Territory.
Mr.. Culberson of Texas demanded the
seconds, and he aud Mr.. Mansur were APP
pointed tellers. No quorum voted aud the
House adjourned.
SESSION OF TIE SENATE.