Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-01

We're represented on the one hand by
Mr.. Cochran of New York, and on the
other by Mr.. Bryan of Nebraska. Each
one, thoroughly impressed with the
wisdom of the course he had adopted,
gave utterance with force and eloquence
to arguments so Numerically opposed
that the wide breach which the conten.
ton has created was laid bare to the
gaze of all. The timid Peace, which
had been coaXed to shed once more its
beneticent influence over tho party in
the House, fed at the first tones of Mr..
Cockran's voice, and though Mr.. Bryan
assumed less defiant air, there is once
more discord where harmony should
prevail. Each side to the controversy
blames tho other for this condition, but
IL is apparent to the whole world that
the proposition to tack the income tax
on to the Tariff bill was an egregious
blunder.
Mr.. Cochran has promised that not
withstanding the tax, to which he
objects so strongly, he will vote for the
Tariff bill. Those who to-day wit
messed the fierceness with which he cast
aside all idea of Cancellation and boldly
denounced the course of his party as
fraught with the most disastrous conse-
quences could not help believing that
if he had not burned his bridges behind
him, he would not hesitate to make the
breach still wider. He held the House
in silence by his deep-sounding voice as
much as by his eloquence. 1t was
speech designed to arouse the sleepiest
theorists and to bring his party to the
fullest realization of its danger. He
was warmly applauded. In some in
stances the applause came from the Re-
publican side.
Mr.. Cochran pointed out what he
claimed would be It's probable effect
upon the people of the country if the
tax-paying class is limited to the
wealthy. In denouncing the effort to
place an obstacle in the way of the
party, which threatens the success of
the party policy, he was perfectly just,
nor could his opponents object to the
manner in which he deplored the fact
that this income tax measure had been
thrust between the party and the ulti-
mate triumph of the tariff reform move
ment. But there were some who
thought he was a little too severe upon
the men who are responsible for the
blunder.
MIR. BRYAN's ANSWER.
Mr. Bryan answered Mr.. Cochran with
telling effect upon his side of the house
by saying that, according to Mr.. Cock
rams theory, he is statesman whose
ear is ever attuned to the slightest pull
sations Of pocketbook, while the man
who listens to the heart-beats of the
masses is demagogue. In the heat of
the controversy it is probable both gen.
tlemen went to greater extremes than
more sober deliberatlon would have
suggested, and it is probable that neither
succeeded in changing the views of the
members who listened.
During the two hours which these
gentlemen occupied in hurting defiance
at each other the scene presented by the
House was dramatic one. The gal.
leries were thronged to the doors, while
ON the Democratic side hardly vacant
seat was visible. Half of the Republic
can side was vacant, but this was due
to the fact that many of the members
left their seats and, crowding to the
other side Of the House, stood behind
the ratings to hear with more distinct
ness the words Of the two orators.
1t was exactly the occasion for which
the Republicans have been eagerly wait
ing. They have confidently predicted
that the Democrats would split over the
income tax, and they watched with
eager interest the progress Of the battle.
AS for the speakers themselves, they
ignored the Republicans entirely. The
words of both were addressed to Demo-
Gratis only, and were intended to have
their effect only upon the men who are
pledged To support the Tariff bill. 1t is
hoped that this effect will not result in
any further opposition to the Tariff bill
than has already been shown, but it is
hardly possible that it could have &C.
Cured without broadening ard render
ing moro difficult of obliteration the line
that divides the party on the income tax
proposition.
The struggle, however, was inevi-
table, and now that it has taken place
| ii is believed the climax of dissension
has been reached and the crisis, which
was anticipated with grave anxiety by
| the best friends of the tariff measure,
has been passed.
| GENERAL DEBATE CLOSED.
| MI. COCKTAIL, US tne leader OF tne OPP
ponents of the Internal Revenue bill,
has gwen full expression to all the
hatred of the proposition they feel, and
will now, he declares, vote for the bill.
His followers in the fight will not all
recognize his leadership when the time
to vote arrives, but it is still thought
there will not be enough of them who
halt upon the outposts to Affect the re-
suit of the battle for tariff reform. The
bill will unquestionably pass the House,
it is asserted, and the income tax pro-
vision is thought to be almost as certain
to be part of it.
The general debate on the Income Tax
bill ended with Mr.. Bryan's speech. To
morrow amendments will be in order,
and the debate will be carried on under
the minute rule. 1t generally an
ticipated that the bill will be agreed
upon in its present form, and that the
amendments will be voted down. Mr..
Pence OF Colorado will offer an amend
ment for the Populists providing for a
| graduated tax, but there is no likelihood
Of its adoption.
A great deal of interest centres upon
the probable action of the Republicans,
and the hope is still entertained by the
opponents of the tax that, with theiI
assistance, the proposition to add the
Internal Revenue bill to the tariff meas.
ure may be defeated.