New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

papers in the British Isles
THE Saturday Review" said: He ana the,
the President and the Democratic leaders, nav'
taken up again the old free-trade policy OF tn'
south Carolina politicians" a very true and in
genuous although impolitic. remark
1.-The Peoples Journal" OF Dundee sau
Should Congress give effect to this proposal
the immediate effect would be an enoIl H
stimulus to English industry" In other w9rus,
reduction Of the tariff would Hood the Chltee
States with foreign goods
''The Scotsman" said: THE free importation
of iron, coal and wool would be great boon I! I,
British producers; il 1t were accompanied VIII
reductions in the tariff upon cotton, woolien am
other manufactures. the artisans OF TINS couh
try would derive marked benefit from It..
THE Spectator" remarked that Ihe fresi
dents terse and telling message has struck
blow at American protection such as never coui'
have been struck by any free-trade league. .
Punch" printed cartoon representing Fresi
dent Cleveland presenting Free TRADE, EN-
bodied as beautiful female figure, to Coluh
bja =" with the remark Twill you allow me to in
trOduce this young LADY," . -
THE Hadding tonshire Courier" said: I'VE
may look to an impetus being given TO our nome
/ trade that will go far to make up for the de
( preston Of late years.
Every other free-trade newspaper in England
discussed the message, and expressed satlslac
ton that President Cleveland had come GU
plainly for virtual free trade. The jubilatioI
continued until suddenly stopped by warhins
uttered by "Thc Pail Mall Gazette" as follows
English free traders would be well advised /
they moderated the ecstasy Of their jubilatio'
over President Cleveland's message. Every
word which they say in its favor Will be used a
a powerful argument against the ADOPTION Oh IL
recommendations"
The ecstasy" was Immediately moderated
but the warning had come too late. Enough hae
been said to attract powerfully the attention o.
the American people, and to supply the RepuD
ucan party in Congress with crushing argu
ments in the battle Of the session over the tariff
on December s, 1887. The Tribune printed a re
markabe interview with James G. Blaine. ther
in France, specially obtained by its own CORE
spondent, and sent by cable to The Tribune. Mr.
Blaine replied to President Clevelands message
and Joined issue. in behalf Of the Republican
party OF the United States. with the tariff To-
revenue only" Democracy. He assured tn'
American people that the Republican part!
would welcome the contest.
A LONG SESSION.
| The session Of Congress thus initiated was
one Of the longest in history. 1t was nota
BILE for the utter incapacity OF the Democratic
majority Of the House and the extreme meas
ures to which the Democratic leaders were com
PEELED to resort in order to secure the legiSla
ton the Administration demanded and to defea
that which it opposed Rules were adopted b,
the House which gave To the Committee OF
Rules composed of the Democratic Speaker
the two Democratic leaders on the floor and two
Republcans), namely. MessrS. Carlisle Randall
Mills. Reed and Cannon the power to dictate
which bills should take the precedence of all
other legislation. 1t must be said. however that
even under tyrannlcal control the Democratic
House could not always be restrained from fool!
ish action. The session was attended with
stormy scenes of Democratic flibustering, and
characterized by prOtracted debates on the
tariff and various other questions. The country
became at last utterly diSSl sted with this Demo
cratic Congress; and the proceedings of that
body finally almost wholly ignored by the
newspapers its members left in such large mum
bers for their homes that there was difficulty
in maintaining a quorum; and when Congress
finally adjourned few newspapers did more than
barely notice the fact, without comment. while
the whole country breathed sigh of relief
The business Of the country had been greatly
disturbed by the session.
An enormous amount of legislation pro-
posed at this session. In the House 1900 bills
and 233 joint resolutions were introduced in the
Senate 3Gi3 bills and us joint resolutions
These measures included eleven bills for I'M
limited free coinage Of silver and there were
many other vicious bills. for repeal of the
Federal election laws, reduction of tariff duties
for free ships. and kindred Democratic notions
SOME OF THE LEGISLATION
The following bills became laws in addition
to routine measures and appropriation bills:
The first bill to reach the President was one
establishing the Commissioner of Fisheries as
a more important office, at $1,000 a year salary
1t originated with Senator Hale CRep., Me- and
was passed by both houses without contest.
Approved January % 1883.
A bill introduced by Senator Frye (Rep. Me-
inviting conference with other maritime ma
tons for the promotion of safety of vessels sea
was passed without n contest by both houses, and
became a law.
An important bill became law authorizing
the payment to State soldiers homes of 500 a
year for each disabled veteran cared for in those
institutions. This was a Republican measure
introduced in the Senate by Mr.. Henderson
Uep.. Neb) and designed both aid to the
homes in the States and as matter OF economy
in Federal expenditures because ii would save
the cost Of new National soldiers homes 1t
was passed without contest in either house.
Approved August -. 1883.
An act was passed. originating with Senator
Farwe Gep.. I'D. reyiving the grade of Gen
eral OF the Army for the benefit Of General Sheri-
dan.