The record-union., 1894-02-02
Special to the REcoaD-UNIox.

Special to the RECo2D-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-At 6 o'clock to-
night the Wilson tariff bill passed the
House. The vote was 2O4 to 40. The
events leading up to it were unparalleled
in our annals. At Il O'Clock, after pre-
liminary skirmish of an hour over the
barley schedule, the bill was reported to
the House, and the closing speeches made.
Such vast concourse of people as assem-
bled to hear the final arguments had
never before been seen within the pre-
cincts of the nations Capitol. Nothing
like it was ever known in the history oil
the oldest inhabitant. For hours before
the debate began the corridors leading to
the galleries were surging mass of hu-
manity, which finally become so great
that men cried out in terror and women
tainted i'll fright.
1t is estimated that 10000 people at
tempted to gain admittance to the gall
leries of the House to-day. Their seating
capacity is about 5000, and every avaiIa-
bic seat was occupied long before the
gavel dropped. People were lined against
the walls, and banked against the doors.
SO great did the crush become that the
mem D6rS S6cuT6u p6TlnjSSlOn w
their wives upon the floor.
Shortly after IL o'clock the crowds in
the immense gallery on the north side of
the chamber became so great that there
was imminent danger that some people
would be pressed over the railing. ThOSa
in the corridors kept crushing into the
dOorways, and those still further back
pressed forward until the stairs and a;sles
of the gallery were literally packed with
of
In one of the aisles fight was precipi-
tated between two men over the color
question. One of the com mbatants was a
negro, demanding his full rights as an
American citizen, and the other was a
white man, making the same claim.
This claim included the right TO stand on
the same square foot of territory, and as
it was too small for both men, race war
resulted. The belligerents were hustled
from the gallery as fast as the obstruction
OF the human wall would permit, and
comparative quiet was soon restored
Speaker Crisp, who had been nervously
noting the dangerous packing Of the
people, interrupted the rOll-cal long
enough to say that it was to the interest of
sNety to human life that the doorway be
cleared. He asked the 0oorkeeper of the
gallery to clear out some of those who
stood in the entrances, so as to make
those already inside as comfortable as
possible without being in danger. 1t was
next to impossible, however, to at once
execute this order, as there was abso-
lutely no room for the eiectment of those
who had found entrance into the aisles,
but policemen kept pressing back the
people until they had materially reduced
the danger.
When Reed, the first speaker, arose at
last to deliver the final plea for protec-
ton, the galleries were black and dense
with spectators, and every inch of space
upon the floor was taken. Only ten of
the 354 members Of the House were ab-
sent. Many Senators and other distin-
puished personages were on the floor and
in the galleries were Mrs. Cleveland,
Mrs. Vice-President Stevenson and other
ladies of eminence and distinction. Then
Tor three hours the Oratory of the cham
pions of the two economic systems fol-
lowed-Reed, Crisp and Wilson-while
their partisans made the air vocal with
shouts of approval. The appearance of
the Speaker of the House upon the floor
engaged in debate was in itself remark
able as we'll as an unusual thing. Each
of the speakers seemed to be in his best
form, and the speeches to-day will rank
among the most brilliant of their lives.
When these were finished Wilson, who
spoke last. was lifted on the shoulders of
his admiring colleagues and carried tri-
uDlDDanIly lIOlu Lu0 Hail cSOnO VI
unmatched enthusiasm.
Before the opening of the debate there
was a continuation of the Skirmish over
the amendments TO the barley schedule.
Lockwood of New York began filibuste1
ing against them by making the point of
no quorum, though it was evident that a
quorum was present. Then Lockwood
moved to adjourn, but the Speaker re-
fused to entertain the motion.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole on the tariff bill.
Mr.. Richardson took the chair, an
nouncing the pending question to be to
close the debate on the amendments to
the barley schedule. The motion was
carried-l73 TO q.
The committee rose and the Speaker
resumed the gavel.
The bill was reported from the Com
mittee of the Whole and the Speaker an
nounced those who would close the de-
bate.
The Chair recognized Reed of Maine.
Reed arose from the Repub ublican side
amid wild cheering and hand-clapping in
the galleries and the huzzahs OF his
friends. When quiet was finally restored,
with his back to his friends and his face
to his foes. towering in defiance, he began
his address.
Reed began by saying the bill was obi
ous to both sides of the House. 1t meets
with favor nowhere. 1t commands the
respect of neither party. ON this SIDE,
while we believe that it pretends To be
for protection, it does not afford 1t, and on
the other side they believe, while 1t looks
toward free trade, it does not accomplish
it. Those who will vote against this bill
will do so because it opens our markets
to the destructive competition of for
eigners; those who will vote for IL will do
SO with the reservation that they will IN
stantly devote themselves to new cru
sade against whatever barriers are left.
Reed proceeded by saying the argument
that the bill should be passed to put an
end to doubt, which is worse than any
bill can be, is specious and insidious, as
were the bill passed by both branches to-
day uncertainty would reign just the
same.
He then proceeded to argue at length
on the benefits of the tariff from the
standard of wages for American labor and
for the American farmer.
onently interrupted by applause and even
the Democrats at times joined in the
laughter at his wittieisms. At the close
he was greeted with spontaneous and
Iong-continue burst of applause, and was
warmly congratulated by his friends.
While the demonstration was still in
progress Crisp relinquished the chair to
Hatch of Missouri and took a seat on the
floor of the House. When order was re-
stored he was recognized TO reply to
Raed. Until he warmed up he spoke
1.ifh hesitation. But as he became
warmed up his words came in perfect
torrent. sweeping resistlessly over all op-
nosition. and he was encouraged by the