St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-14
GREAT DAY IN THE HOUSE.
Throngs in Galleries to Sec the

GREAT DAY IN THE HOUSE.
Thr0ngS in Galleries to Sec the
Final Act in the Tariff Fight.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 1S.-When the
house met. five minutes after the Demo-
cratic caucus adjourned, there were
more members OH the floor than at any
time since the tariff bill was passed.
The anxious public who thronged the
corridors before the doors were thrown
open crowded into the galleries In an
tlcipation of the final scene in the long
tariff battle.
The greatest confusion existed on the
floor. Members were standing about in
excited groups. discussing the situation.
the general understanding being that
resolutions TO agree to the senate
amendments ana to consider the bills
for free coal, iron, sugar and barbed
wire would be brought in this after
noon.
At 2:20 the meeting of the committee
or rules ended, and Mr.. Catchings
(Dem.. Miss. Immediately entered the
hall with the special order In his hand.
Mr.. Heard yielded to him, and Mr..
Catchings presented the rule. The
special order provided. first, that imme-
dlately after the adoption of the order
it would he in order to consider reso-
luton discharging the house conferees
on the tariff bill from the further duty
OF considering that measure, and that
| the house recede from its disagreement
III gross to the senate amendments to
the bill and agree to the same, and
| second, that il shall be in order at any
time thereafter to consider bills for free
coal, free iron, free sugar and free
barbed wire. The resolution allowed
two hours debate on tine tariff resolu-
ton.
During the reading Of the resolutions
there were jeers from the Republican
side, Mr.. Burrows calling out, SILLY,
silly" when that portion of the rule
relating to free coal, ETC., was read.
! Mr.. Catchings demanded the previous
question. but Mr.. Reed arose to point
| OF order, and
The Battle Was On.
MIR. Reeds point was that the tariff
| bill was not in possession of the house,
and that, therefore, the action taken in
the report could not be taken. The
| speaker overruled the point of order.
The previous question then was Or
dered without division. This gave fif-
teen minutes on side for a discussion
of the special order. Mr.. Catchings
| Dem, MisS.l did not desire to debate
the rule. and Mr.. Reed took the floor
and made very sarcastic speech,
"You are going to give the country
free sugar." said he in his most irouical
vein, amid shouts of Republican laugh
ter, in your minds" he added, amid
renewed shouts of derision; land free
coal and free iron ore. You are going
to be bold and manly, as you have been
in this back-down, without reference
to the committee that stands between
you aud the noble purpose that thrills
YOU" Applause and laughter.
Representative Turner. of Georgia,
replied to Mr.. Reed, and was greeted
with applause by the Democrats. He
said the gentleman from Maine had
built up parliamentary system which
now reacted against him. There was
no right or justice in the assumption
that the action of the senate in sending
the bill back to the house was erroneous.
He asked Mr.. Reed what right he had
to make this assumption. Mr.. Reed
said he did not make any claim. He
had been informed that the irregularity
occurred. but he had no personal infor-
nation.
Mr.. Turner proceeded to show that
the present action of the house was
strictly regular.
Democrats Voted Solidly.
The question then being put on agree
ing to the resolution. Mr.. Reed de-
manded division. The entire Demo-
cratic side rose en- masse. When the
negative vote was called for the Repub-
licaus sat calmly in their seats, hoping
to break quorum. When the speaker
announced the vote-1SS to 3-twelve
more than quorum, the Republicans
| were somewhat Disconnected.
Upon the announcement of the vote,
Chairman Wilson Immediately sub
mitted in writing the motion provided
for in the order adopted.
Mr.. Reed made the point of order that
the bill was not before the house. The
bill had been brought in during the roll
call and the speaker pointed to it. Mr..
Reed sat down disconsolatelY.