Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-10
CONGRESSIONAL.
Opening of the Tariff Debate-West yir-
ginia's Direct-Tax Refund.
lBy telegraph to tho Disp

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. March 9-In past
years the day for opening the debate upon
a tariff bill in the House Of Representa-
tives has been q red-letter dav. and almost
all the members have been in attendance.
while the galleries have been thronged
with spectators. but the rule met with an
exception this morning. When the Speaker
called the House 10 order at noon there
were not more than $50 members present
and the galleries did not contain more
than the usual audience. On motion OF
Mr.. McAlillin, of Tennessee, the House
went into Committee of the Whole upon
revenue bills. Mr.. Blount, of Georgia, be-
ing DESIGNATED as presiding officer.
Mr.. McMillin then addressed the House.
When he rose to make the opening speech
on the free-wool bill his voice was very
husky. but Immediately the customary
hum of conversation was bushed, and his
remarks were listened to with great atten-
ton.
In the course of his speech Mr.. McMillin
was interrupted by MIR. Raines, of New
York, with the suggestion that the results OF
the state elections in New York had not been Of
a character to encourage the Democratic party.
THE "NARCH OF TRUTH"
Mr. McMillin retorted that tho ex-Speaker had
on Monday last referred to the triumphant
march Of truth. That march was emphasized
by the fact that the gentleman from Maine (hr.
Reed no longer occupied the chair, but WAS
relegated 10 the floor where he could do nothing
hut curse and cry. [Laughterl The city OF the
gentleman from Maine POrtland) had gone
Democratic the other day.
Mr. Reed, who was in the cloak-ro0m when
his name was mentioned. stroled down one
of the nisles, and as he ola so drawied OUT tne
apology that he had not been present because
he know that the gentleman IRON Tennessee
was speaking lLaughter.l
Mr.. McMillin replied that he cared not what
the gentlemans reason for being absent WAS.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. McMillin's speech he
was the recipient Of a magnificent cluster OF red
roses, and his Democratic colleagues honored
him with generous applause.
Mr.. Dingley, OF Maine, was the next speaker.
Pending the conclusion of Mr.. Dingley's speech
the committee rose and the House adjourned.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Mr. Morgan introduced bill 10 enforce the
provisions Of section 1866 OF the Revised
Statutes with respect 20 article 20 o. the treaty
of Washington Of May &, 1871, with the Govern
ment OF Great Britain, and IL was referred TO
the Committee on Foreign Relations. The bin
reads as follow:
BE II enacted, ETC., That all laws and parts OF
laws are hereby declared TO DO imperative which
exempt from the payment OF duties any articles
Of commerce which are not on tho tree list, when
the Same are entered in the custom-housos oil
the United States for transit or transportation
through the United States 10 the Dominion oil
Canada, or any British possession on tho CONT
nent OF North America, or from the same TO any
foreign country; provided, that this declaration
does not apply 10 article 80 OF the treaty win
Great Britain concluded Nay 3, 1871, OF 70 that
part of any act OF Congress which gives legal
operation and effect 70 said article
This bill, II II becomes a law, will deprive the
Canadian Pacific railroad Of its valuable conces,
sion OF the right to transport goods In bond
through the United States To and from Europe
aud other foreign ports.
WEST vIRGIsIA's DIRgCT-TAx REFUND.
The Senate Joint resolution for payment TO the
State OF West Virginia OF her share OF the direct
tax refund was taken up, and MIR. Daniel offered
as an amendment an additional section instruct
ing the Secretary Of the Treasury TO accept the
term. agreed upon by the Committee OF Virgins
Boudholders as to the bonded debt OF virginia
In connection with the amendment Mr.. DAME
stated that the bonds no d by the United States
amounted TO SoS4,OOO Win accfueu lhtofcsl VI
about 81 100000.
Mr.. Kenna remarked that both proposition:
were 70 fair on their face and IN TACT that Il
seemed unnecessary 80 argue IN favor OF them.
Mr.. Perkins inquired why the claim OF Nes
Virginia had not been paid.
MI Faulkner explained that West Virginia was
the only State where the direct-tax refund hsd
not been paid. The difficulty arose from pro
vision In the Constitution of West Virginia as
suming its proportion OF the old debt OF Virginia
md NJ there was en- unsettled account between
yireiuia and the United States, the share o
West Virginia could not DO adiudicated and
paid. 49,,
Mr.. Morrill, suggested that the question was
too Important 20 be considered under the Ave
minute debate. he had no objection 10 the
terms agreed OIL with the committee OF the vir'
einia bondholders, but there was nothing In Mr.
Dsniol's amendment that would bind the STATE
OF Virginia He objected 10 the present con
eideration OF the bill.
ON motion OF Mr. Faulkner, the bin was made
| n special order Tor Monday next Tho pure-foot
Bill was then taken up and was passed without
division. A.
While the discussion OF II was going on Mr.
Pruden. one OF the Presdtnts socretanes, az
reared and delivered TO the Senate lat q: o
Esundry messages in writing uhe Boring Sea
correspondence, etc.,, which were handed up Z
the yice-Prosidents desk. After an executive
sessIon OF nearly three hours, mo oeha'e' a.
b:25, adjourned until tomorrow.