Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-02-06
wilson closes the pepate.


Describing the closing scenes in
the recent tariff debate last Thurs i
day, a Washington letter says:
After triple round of applause,
Speaker Crisp resumed the gavel,
aud Mr.. Wilson at once arose to close
the debate. He was greeted with
great cheers. He showed no signs
of the fatigue to which he has been
subjected. He was in fine voice and
in animated spirits, which permitted
him to open with humorous and sar-
castle replies to Mr.. Burrows of
Michigan, and Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa,
which were greatly relished by tue
House.
Turning to the subject in hand,
Mr. Wilson eloqnently portrayed the
advance of freedom. This bill, he
said, was but one of those advances.
No Mckinley bill could stem the adj
vance of human progress. Great
causes could not be laughed or ridi-
culed away, and the gentleman from
Maine could not draw from his ar
mory of sarcasm and Nit in order to
stop the advance of this cause OF
Tightening the burdens of taxation.
Mr.. Wilson then related the story
of the English herring merchant who
wrote TO Sir Robert Peel that he did
not want free trade as to herring, as
it would let in Norwegian herring,
but that on other goods he was a
thorough free trader. Mr.. Wilson
appealed to his fellow Democrats
not to allow any herring arguments
to impede the movement toward the
overthrow of the protective system.
Referring TO an income tax, Mr..
Wilson said he had not wanted it at
tached to this bill, but once attached
he supported it with all the loyalty
at his command. There was con-
tinued applause as Mr.. Wilson de-
MED the charges of sectionalism in
the bill. He said that the animating
feeling of those who had framed this
bill was TO make this country one in
which one man wouldn't be taxed
for another, one in which religion,
science, culture and education would
go hand in hand as the common I'M
taxed heritage of every citizen.
Mr.. Wilson closed with an elo-
quent appeal to his fellow Demo-
Gratis. He told them that the record
of the House would permanently re-
cord no passing event but great
epoch in American history. He
wanted every Democratic name re-
corded on that historic roll. In that
case, he said, the day would be 4
proud and happy one for him. His
closing words were: In the name of
honor, in tile name of freedom, l
summon every Democrat to vote for
this bill"
| Mr.. Wilson's glowing peroration
aroused the Democrats and the gal
leries to the Highest pitch of ent hu-
siasm and the demonstration which
followed his last words has seldom
been equaled in the House. The
whole Democratic side rose to its
feet, books and records were thrown
into the air, cheer followed cheer,
the people in the galleries joined
with voice and hands in the tribute
Before Mr.. Wilson could sit down
three of the Democratic members
bubbling with Observation-Disclosures
johnson (O.O, Tucker (Va) and
Bryan (Neb. brushed up the aisle,
lifted Mr.. Wilson upon their shoul-
ders and carried bin in triumph to
the rear of the hall, where for ten
minutes lie listened to the words of
praise that were shoWered upon him.
It was q remarkable demonstration
in every respect. The time had now
arrived to vote on the bill and pend
ing amendments.
Then came the final vote on the bill
itself, on which an aye and nay vote
was asked and granted by a rising
vote. The roll call was watched with
marked attention, and frequent
bursts of applause greeted Access
sions TO one side or the other. BeItz-
hoover, of Pennsylvania. was the first
to win applause by his aye vote, in
dicating that the PennsyIYanians
were falling into line. Immediately
after this, Blanchard, of Louisiana,
was appIauded as he voted aye, and
showed that the Louisiana opposition
to the bill was not intact. Mr. Cock
rams vote in favor Of it brought out
tumultous cheering. The climax of
| the demonstration was reached when
the name of Mr.. Wilson, author of
the bill, was called, the Democrats
cheering Vooiferopsly,a final reoogni-
ton of his leadership. Speaker Crisp
asked that his name be called, and
he answered in the affirmative. Then
the Speaker announced:
son this question the ayes are 2OI,
and the nays are 40, and the bill is
passed"
There was another hurst of APP
plause as the Wilson bill passed its
final step in the House. The Demo
Gratis shook Que another by tue hands,
and SIR Wilson was again the center
of congratulations.
MIR. f. NJ. Fennoek continues to
improve his facilities for hOrirnIIure