The evening times., 1897-03-29
TARIFF DEBATE GOES on
Shafroth Advises the Democrats to
Let the Bill Go Through without
Factious Opposition and Let Free
Coinage Come TO the Front-John-
son, of Indiana, Creates Uproar.

] Democrats than Republicans, butnot en- ough
1 of both. After oae roll call Mr.. Richard dson
suggested that Messrs. KIaberg, of Texas,
and Jones, of Virginia. who were ON the
| floor, be sworn in TO make a quorum, and
it was done.
The doors were then shut, and a call
of the House showed 213 members pres
! ent
Speaker Reed adInonished members that
they ought 20 be present at the opening
/ hour, if possible. The House had wasted
one hour and twelve minutes in securing a
quorum.
AR liopkins offered an amendment in
creasing about 3 per cent the rate of duty.
objection was made by Mr.. Richardson
| on the ground that the amendment was
debarred by the rule adopted by the House
! last week, prohibiting amendments to sec
| tons not under consideration
Mr. McMiilin called for the reading OF the
rule which, when complete, revealed an
exception in favor OF amendments offered
| blythe Committeeon Wa Us and Means, which
amendments could be offered al any time.
! The amendment was then reported and
| adopted.
A-r- Grosvenor next offered an amend
uent placing hauxide on the dutiable list
! This. he ex paine1, was in response TO an
| invest igation, conducted 10y the committee,
which had shown that hsuNide was brought
into this country from France on foreign
vessels cheaper than hauxide could be
brought from Georgia and Alabama to
New York and Philadelphia. The mining
OF bauxide in this country was declared
TO be an important industry. and the duty
proposed would enable the American
product to compete with that of France.
Gen. GroSyenor stepped over to the Deulo-
cratic side OF the House. and ex planned in
detail the need OF a duty.
Mr. Walker OF Massachusetts asked the
Representative from Ohio TO pay sonie con-
1 sideration TO the Republican side, and let
| them hear his remarks.
Gen Grosvenor replied: 81 am here to
can sinners to repentenCe,' placing much
stress on the word sinners.
Representative Dockery said that this
was the fist time ne knew tariff bill to
Toe intended to eQualize freight rates. The
amendment was adopted, after some little
further discussion
Gen. Wheeler said the Democratic party
recognizes the fact that tariff is a
/ proper way of raising revenue and il is
disposed TO aid In a law that VIII hest
4 attain that end. 1t objects, however, to
a tariff that is devoted to protecting
special interests and only raises revenue
| Incidentally or accidentally.
Mr. Shaforth said he had listened To the
tariff debate, and ne warned the Demo
Gratis that they were allowing TOO much
1 TO be made of the tariff issue by taking
part in the discussion. There was only
| one issue before the people, that was
between gold and silver.
Derisive laughter by the Republicans
greeted this. Mr.. Shafroth, little net
tied by this, addressed them very earn
estly. telling them that they knew, as all
1 the world knew, the truth Of his assertion
He adIaonlshed the Democrats tnat the
| thing to do was to allow he bill to pass
without factious opposition. The Repub-
licans would, Of course, he responsible for
it. He knew, as all on that side knew,
that the bill would not produce prosperity.
In that case nothing could prevent the re-
turn of a House Of Representatives two
thirds of which would beinstructediR favor
of free coinage OF silver.
Chairman Dingley then moved to close
debate on the item under consideration. In
q moment Messrs. johnson, OF Indiana;
Bland and McMnlin were on their feet. Mr..
johnson insisted there had been no debate
upon the item, and he wanted the House to
eonfine itself TO discussion relevant to the
items considered.
MIR Sherman. in the chair called Mr..
johnson to order, and by continued and
vigorous pounding, tried to induce him TO
fal- hiS n a N
for time.
The gentleman from Indiana is out of
order; he will take his Seat cut sharply
across the confusion on the floor as the
chairman stopped pounding to say it At
the same time Mr.. Johnson's mouth kept
working, and when the chairman began
pounding again detached words could be
heard between the raps of the gavel He
did not take his seat till he had his say
Then upon suggestion of Mr.. McMillin,
the time for closing debate was made ten
minutes by Mr.. Dingley.
Mr. Bland, whe was recognized for five
minutes, said that was not enough, an d gave
way to MI Quigg, who sent up news
paper clipping to be read.
Then Mr.. johnson was on his feet again.
with a protest that tits was out Of order.
An exciting scene followed. As before,
Mr.. Sherman pounded and ordered Mr..
johnson TO take his seat, and Mr.. John son
continued to scold the committee. He
was ready to 90 before the country on the
issue of limiting debate to relevant matter.
Finally Mr. Sherman gave up the contest
with the recaIcitrant Indianian and had
the committee rise 10 report the disorder
to the House Speaker Reed took the chair
and Mr.. sherman stated that Mr.. johnson
had refused to recognize the authority of
the chair and preserve order.
Mr.. McMiIlin made the pointof order that
any disturbance in the committee should
be death with then; but as this view was
not shared by the Speaker, withdrew the
point, in order to avoid obstructing busi-
ness.
Mr. johnson stated that he had beer out
Of orde=, if so at all, only in order to
emphasize the protest he made Saturday,
that better progress ought to be made by
excluding extraneous discussion. He had
amendments TO the close of the bill which
his constituents were urging him TO press.
Speaker Reed administered a mild re-
buke to Mr. Johnson in which he said the
first duty of any member was to obey the
direction of the chairman. He closed
with some quantity humorous remarks
that smoothed out ruffled feelings to some
extent, and the committee resumed its
sitting.
Mr.. Quigg had the reading of the news
paper clipping continued, and Mr.. John
son locked on ruefully. He remarked
that whatever faults he had, he was an
earnest man, and his effort was aimed at
the substance of the problem OF having the