Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-02-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From THE Ohieftain's" Special
Correepondent.

aCcepthDlt 10 YOUR ItducIb us NltW-
ed from Washington standpoint
than anything else. Such only |
would prefer to give in this com
munecation but the tariff, the fed
cral election, the Hiwaiian and the
bond questions are more prom
inently before congress now The
associated press dispatches have in
formed the country of the exciting
scenes witnessed in the house of
representatives yesterday over the
closing scenes in that body on the
tariff debate. Never before in ali
the historical occasions that have
taken place in the marble walls OF
the capitol does memory recall a
single event that has attracted
such vast gathering of people as
Hooked there to witness the clos
ing scenes of the debate on the
Wilson tariff bill in the house of
representatives. 1t is said the
people began to gather as early as
daybreak and by ten o'clock, the
time to open the doors, twice or
thrice as many people had assem-
bled IN the galleries and corridors
as could be accommodated with
seats, and thousands were turned
away in disappointment. AS the
sessions do not commence until
eleven o'clock the people filled
every seat and all the standing
room, waiting patiently for the
giants to appear. First came ex-
Speaker Reed, when a mighty
shout Of welcome broke forth from
the assembled multitude. He
represented the republican party
as the great leader and, exponent
of protection. He acknowledged
the ovation by bow and a smile
and took his accustomed seat, no
doubt feeling the great response
bility imposed upon him. Speak
er Crisp, one of the democratic
leaders and an exponent of tari fl
for revenue only, chosen by the
democrats to fire one OF the last
guns in this great battle was also
gwen a similar ovation which
seemed to give to his pallid cheeks
and shining brow a flush of rosy
hue.
Those acquainted with the past
history OF the house, say that
never before was such a scene pre-
sented within the walls as was
witnessed on this occasion. The
galleries, the floor, the aisles. and
every available space was packed
and jammed with living mass of
intelligent and appreciative peo-
pie.
Mr.. Reed spoke an hour and a
half without notes. He was fol-
lowed by Speaker Crisp in an
able speech of an hour, also with
out notes; both the distinguished
orators were applau6ed from start
to finish and gave entire satisfac-
ton to their parties.
The finishing touch TO this ever
memorable scene of wild enthu s.
iasm was left to Mr.. Wilson, the
chairman of the ways and means
committee, the author of the bill.
The ovation to Reed and
Crisp were nothing compared to
that which followed when Mr..
Wilson closed his elegant and
ringing appeal to the democrats to
stand to their guns in this great
fight for the freedom and liberty
Of the people, and to carry out the
principles of the democratic plat
form. His grand oratorical dis
play, delivered in such polished
graceful and scholarly language
seemed to have worked his hear
ers to the very highest pitch of ex-
element, the galleries yelled with
delight, the members on the floor
seemed to go beyond themselves,
threw their hats in the air, the
ladies waved their handkerchiefs,
parasols and fans and cheered like
the men. All the democrats were
wild with excitemen; and when
Mr.. Wilson closed, an excited
member caught him in his arms
and Rugged him with delight;
then three or four other members
caught him up and bore him off
in triumph on their shoulders to
the cloak rooms behind the bar
of the house. Such a scene was
never before witnessed in the halls
of congress.
A disinterested person looking
on, could only compare these ex-
uberant and excited congressman
to flock of school boys just re-
leased from the school room.
A vote was then taken and the
bill passed by a majority of ga
which was more than was expect
ed. Much speculation has been
INDUCED in as to what the senate
will do with the bill when it
reaches that body. 1t is probable
its features will not be changed
materially.
The Indian news is rather
meagre. There seems to be a
hitch in the confirmation of the
last contract to sell the bonds.
The secretary Of the treasury re-
fuses to give any further guarantee
for the payment Of the money due
from the United States than is
contained in the act of congress
ratifying the strip agreement and
he recommends that the contract
with r. I. Wilson & Co. be re-
submitted TO the Cherokee author
tiles for a modification to that
effect. This will necessarily pro-
long the payment OF the money to
the people. was informed today
II. IL IL l.