The sun., 1894-02-08

Washington. Feb. 1.--At 6 o'clock to-
night, at the conclusion of one the grand
est, most imposing and most impressive
scenes ever witnessed in the American
capitol, the Wilson tariff bill passed the
house of representatives by a vote of
20I 20 40
The tariff debate on the Wilson bill,
which has occupied the attention of the
house for two weeks, closed to-day with
an unrivalied barSt of orltory. Crisp,
Reed and Wilson, the giants Of the house,
clme forward in the closing hours to
prosecute and defend the great issue
the Inauguration of new economic sys-
tenn in the greatest republic of the world.
Attracted by anticipation of a field day
and speeches of the leaders, the Wash
ington populace turned out en- masse to
witness it. Long before 10 O'Clock the
public galleries, the "bleachers" of the
American forum, were black with people.
Behind the seats banked against the
doors and walls were others, straining to
get sight of the arena below. The re-
served galleries also were thronged, and
even in the presidents gallery there was
not a vacant seat. The crowded CALLER
les looked down upon sea of faces.
The leaders on both sides were ac-
corded ovations as they entered the hall.
AS ex-Speaker Reed pushed through one
of the lobby doors on his way to his seat
the galleries recognized him, and the ap-
plause which greeted his appearance was
prolonged for fully half a minute. Mr..
Reed bowed his acknowledgements. A
similar demonstration occurred when
Speaker Crisp, dignifed and erect, as
cended the rostrum and called the house
to order.
At u o'clock. after a preliminary
skirmish of an hour, in committe of the
whole, over the barley schedule, the bill
was reported to the house. and Mr.. Reed
of Maine was recognized for the opening
speech.
Reed of Maine.
Mr.. Reed rose from the center of the
Republican side, amid the wild cheering
and hand clapping of the galleries and the
huzzas of his friends about him. Mr..
Reed frowned and shook his head, as
though the demonstrations were distaste-
full to him. He waited for the applaus
to cease. Standing in the aisle, clad in
a long Prince Albert coat, with head
erect and defiant, he looked the physical
and intellectual giant. He began to speak
at last. slowly and deliberately, in the
voice that has become so familiar to the
Mr.. Reeds speech which counts for more
than rhetoric. He spoke to-day with his
back to his friends, his face to his foe
across the aisle. Save for his ringing
voice the drop of a pin could have been
heard He said:
I'm this debate, which has extended
over many weeks, one remarkable result
has already been reached, a result of the
deepest Importance to this country. That
result is that the bill before us is odious
to both sides of the house. 1t meets with
favor nowhere, and commands the re-
spect of neither party. On this side we
believe that, while it pretends to be for
protection it does not afford it, and on
the other side, they believe that while it
looks toward free trade it does not ac-
complish it.
"Those who will vote against this bill
will do so because it opens our markets
to the destructive competition of foreign
ers. and those who vote for it do it with
a reservation that they will instantly de-
vote themselves to new crusade
against whatever barriers are left.
"Whatever speeches have been made in
defense of the bill on the other side,
either by gentlemen who were responsible
only to their constituents, or by the gen.
tlemen with a sense of responsibility to
the whole country, have one and all, with
but rare exceptions, placed their authors