The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-14
Speeches by the HonOrcd '.Czar' and
by Chairman Dingiey, Of the
Ways and Means Committee.
NO CHANGE in THE RULES
MIR. WALKER WANTED THEM RE-
vIsED, But WAS BADLY DEFEATED.
Fiery speech by MIR. Maha ny-Repre-
sentative Bailey HOnOred by the
Democratic Members OF the House.

WASHINGTON, March 13.-The caucus
Of Republican members-elect of the Fifty
fifth Congress, which was held tonight,
voted by reclamation to renominate eX-
Speaker Reed and all the officers of the last
House TO serve during the Fifty-fifth Con-
gTess. The slate chosen follows: Thomas
Il. Reed speaker: Rev. Henry NJ. Couden.
chaplain; Alexander Mcdowell, clerk; Ben
jamin r. Russell, sergeant-at-arms; w. j.
Glenn. doorkeeper: Joseph c. McElroy.
postmaster. The result of the caucus was
a foregone conclusion. An effort to change
the rules of the House had been expected
and a strong speech was made in advo-
cacy of such a change by Mr. Walker. of
Massachusetts, bYt the attempt flashed in
the pan. There were 175 of the 2O3 Re
publicans present.
Mr.. Reeds name was presented by Mr..
Payne, of New York. who referred to him
as "a man of towering intellect, of sterling
Republicanism and peer of the greatest
parliamentarians." In acknowledging the
nomination Mr. Reed said:
"Gentlemen-I am greatly gratifed by
your kind action tonight. and shall try TO
serve your wishes with whatever ability 1
have. We have again, as in the last Con-
gress, a politically divided Legislative
power. The House of Representatives will
be Republican by a considerable majority
and, fresh from the people, will endeavor
To carry out their wishes. L do not doubt
your determination to do all in your power
TO bring this session of Congress TO a
speedy close. Our duty is simple, and the
people expect us to perform ii at once and
then leave TO them the recovery of the
country from the stagnation and depression
of business which have so sorely tried the
patience of a vigorous and growing people.
What others may see fit to do we do not
know, but we have strong hopes that all
branches Of the government will be in ac-
cord as TO the policy of giving TO the peo-
pie Immediately whatever relief their wis
dom may devise.
Then there was can for Mr.. Dingley, of
Maine. chairman of the ways and means
committee of the last Congress. and in re-
Spouse Mr.. Dingley spoke as follows:
Il congratulate the Republican members
elect of the Fifty-fifth Congress on the
prompt and harmonious manner in which
the preliminary work of this caucus has
been accomplished. (ApplauSe.) / trust
that II Is an augury of the promptitude
and harmony which will be exhibited in the
extra session which will open on Monday.
The Republican members OF the ways and
means committee of the last House, in re-
Spouse to a general demand for this course,
mad occupied several weeks in revising the
tariff with view of providing sufficient
revenue to carry on the government with
out the necessity OF borrowing In the time
of peace, and at the same time so adjust
ing those duties as 10 encourage the in
dustrieS of this country which have been
so badly stricken. partly by excessive Tor
eign competition during the past three
years. (Applause.) We hope TO complete
this work by Monday. so as 10 be able TO
present a tariff bill to the House for ref
erence to the committee on ways and
means. which will probably then be APP
pointed. and for prompt report back to the
House for it's consideration and action.
Il will not undertake at this time TO
fOreshadOw the provisions OF the bill which
we shall present. Rest assured that what
oh ht
the result of want Of careful consideration
but of the inherent difficulties In framing
a measure of such magnitude. The Repub-
llcan members or the ways ana means COM
mittee who have framed this measure be-
lieve, however, that, barring the temporary
interference arising from anticipating i'm
portatiOns for the purpose of avoiding new
duties-an interference which will depend
entirely upon the prOmptitude or the delay
in its passage-the proposed bill will secure
the two ends so earnestly desired by the
country-sufficient revenue to run the gov
eminent, encouragement of American i'm
dustTies and the opening of abundant OPP
pOrtunitieS for labor. (Applause.)
The Congress which will meet in ex-
traordinary session on Monday Will meet
the expectations of our people without par
ty distinctions If ii shall promptly put upon
the statute books a tariff measure that will
meet these two ends. Capital and labor
unite in asking that there be no unneces-
sary delay. (Applause.) Let me again in
dulge the hope that the promptness and
unanimity of our preliminary action to-
night may preSaBe the same results IN the
work of the extraordinary session which
has been convened by the chief executive,
who has just been inaugurated amid the
plaudits of the people. Long continued
applause)
When Mr. Dingley finished Mr. Walker
and several others were on their feet for
recognition. but Mr.. w. A. Stone, OF Penn
sylvania, made a motion TO adjourn. which
drew from Mr.. Milliken. of Maine, pro
test that in a Republican caucus all who
desired to speak should be heard, so Mr.
Stone withdrew his motion. Mr.. Walker
prefaced his remarks with motion for the
selection OF q committee OF seven, of which
the speaker should be chairman, TO revise
the rules of the House. Mr.. Walkers
speech was temperate in tone. He repre-.
scented that there was a general feeling
among members that the rules did not per-
NIT that freedom of action by the ma ority
which was desirable in a representative
body
fiery speech by one of the youngest
members. Mr.. Mdhany, of New York, fol
lowed. The whole tendency of the House
and i'm conclusion he said: II warn new
members that ii is an invariable trick OF
leaders of the House self-constituted AND
otherwise, to move the temporary adoption
OF the rules of the last House and wher
once adopted ii is harder to move them
than to move Mount Aetna and under
them new members will find it impossible
to represent their constituents"
alities between Mr.. Mahany and Mr.. Pit.
ney. of New Jersey. The rules We're de-
Tended by Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois. anC
others. and Mr.. Walkers motion. wa.
buried under an overwhelming vote. He ac
copied the inevitable philosophically.
After resolving that a call signed by
twenty-five instead of fifteen members
should be necessary to secure a caucus, the
caucus adjourned.
R.IIEy,S EMPTY HONOR