The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-02
Low TARIFF.
Progress Made Toward That Consul
nation so Long and DsVouily
Wished For
Tho Wilson Bill Passes the House
by a Vote of 2o4 TO
14o.
All the Democrats but Seventeen
and All Popullsts With
the People.
All the Republicans With the
Tariff Barons and the Trust
Monopolists.
Scenes In the House of an UBparAIIeI cd
Haturs-GTsat Speeches in the
Last Hours.
Scenes In the House OF an UnparAIIei sd
Naturs-Grsat Speeches I'm the
Last HourA

WASHINGTON. Feb. l.-At six o'clock to-
night the Wilson tariff bill passed the
house by a vote of 2O4 to 14O. The events
leading mp to it were almost unparalleled in
our annalG A. Il o'cloof, after . prolimin.
sry skirmish Of an hour over the barlet
schedule. the bill was reported to the
house and the closing speeches made. Such
vast coneourse OF peoplsd as asssmb bled 70
hear the final arguments had never before
bsea seen within the precincts Of the ma
tion's capitol. Nothing like IL was ever
known in the history Of the Oldest inhab-
liant.
For hours before debate began the corri-
dors leading to the galleries we're q surginR
mass Of humanity. which finally became 90
great that men cried out in terror and
women tainted In fright. II is estin atsd
that over 10000 attempted 20 gain admit
tance 10 the galleries Of the house to-day.
Their seating capacity is about 1000. aAd
every available scat was occupied long be-
fore the Rsvsl dropped. People we're lined
against the walls and banked against the
doors so great did the crush become that
members secured permission 70 bring 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 there was inmi-
nsnt danger that some OF the people would
be pressed over the railing. Those In ths
corridors kept crushing into ths dooTwAys,
and those still further back pressed for
ward until ths stairs and aisles OF the gal
leFy we're literally packed with a mob Of
restless, impatient men.
In one Of the aisles a fight was prscipita-
ted between two men over the color Ques-
tion. One OF the eon.batAHts was a negro,
demanding his full rights as an American
citizen, and the other was 9 white man
making the same claim. This claim in
cluded the right to stand on the same
square foot OF territory, and as 10 was too
small for both men q race war resulted.
The belligerents were hustled from the GAL
lery as fast a. the obstruciinR human wall
would permits. and comapartlve quiet was
soon restored.
CrowdinR at ths doors, however. contin-
ued until Speaker Crisr. who had been
Rervously noting the dangerous packing of
people. interrupted the roll call long
enough TO say il was In the interest OF the
safety of human life that the doorway be
cleared. lie asked the doorkeepsr of the
gallery 30 clear out some of these who
stood in the entrances. so As 20 make those
already inside as comfortable as possible,
without being In danger. IL was next 20
impossible. however, to at once execute
this order. rs there was absolutely no room
for the eisotment of those who bad found
entrance into the aislcs. but the policemen
kept pressing back people until they had
materially reduosd the danger
When Reed, the fret speaker, arose At
last To deliver the final plea for protection.
the overhaDging galleries were black and
dspse with spectators Every inch of
space upon the floor was taken.
Only ten of the 3jl membets Of the house
were absent Many senators and other dis
ti1guishsd personagss were on the floor,
ana In the galleries were Mrs. Cleveland,
MIS-. Stevenson and other ladies of emf
nenes and distinction. Then for three
hours the oratorT OF the champions Os two
economto systema followed, Reed, Crisp
and Wilson, while their pATtisHns made the
air vocal with shouts Of approval.
Tho appearance of tho speaker OF thu
house upon the floor engaged in debate was
IN iteslf a remarkable as we'll ss an uauaual
thing. Each Of the speakers seemed 10 be
In the best form, and ths speeches to-day
will rank among the most brilliant in their
lives. when these wee finished Wilson.
who spoke last, Was lifted on the shoulders
Of bis admiring colleagues and carried tri-
umpkantlY from tho hall amid a scene Of
unmatched enthusiasm.