Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-01
NEW DINGLEY TARIFF BILL HAS
BEGUN BUSINESS.
PROVIDED 1T BE NOT AMENDED.
PASSED THE HOUSE sEsrERDAx BY
A BIG MAJORITY.
Amendment Giving Immediate Effect
10 New Duties Agreed TO After
Long Debate-Five Demo-
Gratis and n PopuIist
Voted for IL.

ley tariff bill will be in force and the pres
ent law will be thing of the past, If the
last amendment attached to the bill before
its passage in the house to-day, fixing to-
morrow as the day on which its provis-
ions shall go into effect, should be in the
bill when 1t is finally enacted and should
be held 10 be legal by the courts.
The Republican victory to-day was COM
pete. They presented an unbroken front
TO the opposition. All the rumors that dis
satisfaction with particular schedules of
the bill might lead some of them to break
over the party traces proved absolutely
unfCunded. On the other hand, five Demo-
Gratis. one more than was anticipated
braved the party whip and gave the bill
the approval OF their votes. These fire
Democrats are interested particularly i'll
the sugar schedule. Three came from
Louisiana and two from Texas. One Pop
ulist. Mr.. Howard. of Alabama, voted for
the bill. Twenty-one other members CT
what is denominated 'the opposition" con-
sistIng of Populists, fusionists and silver
ties declined TO record themselves either
for or against the measure
The vote on the final passage of the bill
stood: Ayes. 2G5; nays, 122; present and
not voting. q: a majority OF 3d. AZ
Speaker Reed added 10 the dramatic na-
turc of the climax of this ten days struG-
Sle IN tne mouse Dy uHtCllHS liie SiSi u ~
call his name at the end of the roll call,
recording his vote for the bill.
The events of the last leading up to the
final vote were replete with excitement
and incident and not devoid of humor.
The galleries were crowded to suffocation.
Even the executive and diplomatic gal
leries which are usually empty. even on
big days. were well filed. Many prominent
personages were present. On the floor every
seat was taken.
After the amendment fixing tomorrow
as the date on which this bill should go
into effect had been adopted, against the
protests of the Democrats. who contended
that II was retroactive and. therefore, un-
constitutional, three hours were taken up
with short speeches, most of which were
made for the benefit of the galleries and
the constituents of the speakers. The DEM
ocratS had yielded the question of long
debate over the Grosvenor amendment in
the hope that enough progress might be
made with the bill to permit the house to
reach the sugar schedule, but only two
pages were read. leaving 40 unconsidered
in committee of the whole. The motion to
recommit with instructions to amend the
bill SO as to suspend the duties on articles
controlled by the trusts, upon which they
based the principal hope of breaking
through the Republican ranks, failed of its
purpose. Every Republican voted against
It, There was a great demonstration on the
floor and in the galleries when the bill was
finally delcarod passed.
Mr.. ningley and Mr.. Bailey, the oppos-
ing leaders, were in their places when
Speaker Reed called the house to order
at l o'clock. Mr.. Richardson, of Tennes-
see. called attention to the fact that there
was manifestIy no quorum present, but de-
clined, on account of the brief time re-
manning for the consideration of the bill,
TO make the point.
Mr.. Grosvenor then presented the amend
ment about which there has been so much
discussion during the last few days. fixing
April as the date on which the bill shall
60 into effect.
Mr.. Dockery. Democrat, of Missouri, Of
fered as an amendment a proviso to sus-
pend the duties on articles controlled by
trusts. A point of order made against it.
after a short discussion. was sustained by
the chair. An arrangement was made for
fifteen minutes debate on each side on the
Grosyenor amendment. Mr.. Bailey stated
that the opposition was extremely anxious
TO reach two schedules in the bill and did
not desire to consume more time on this
amendment.
In opening Mr.. Grosvenor remarked upon
the alleged attempt of the Democrats to
make political capital out of ostentatious
proposition to make this tariff bill 20 into
effect April ]. no matter what the date of
It's hnai enactment. he said two questions
were involved, its expediency and it's wis
dom. That IL was wise. he did not think
anyone would deny. and he would, there
fore direct his attention entirely to the
question of its expediency. As a question
OF law. of course, not everything was i'm
the power of congress, but his view was
were legal. On this subject he planted him
self. he said, on the conclusions of Judge
cooley in his work on constitutional law
The constitutional limitation was that con-
gress should have no right to pass a bill
OF attainder or an eX post facto law and
PROVIDED that no state should pass nn ex
post facto law or law impairing the OBJ
legations of contracts. It was plain that
the constitution intended to deny this right
TO the states and, and, by implication. retain it
IN congress. This law would be retrospect
i've. he said. in that 1t would levy customs
duties on merchandise bought or shipped
after tomorrow. He declared that il was
a liberal provision. in that it did not apply
10 goods now afloat. MIR. Grosvenor' S
stronger point was that in connection
of August J. 1894. but was not finally enact
ed until twenty-eight days later.
Allhough this was unintentional. the su-
nreine court had held that IL WAS retro
spectye; The income tax. although 1t mad
been held unconstitutional mot on that
point, however,. levied on every COLLAR iieId
on the first of the preceding January
" Mhisky in bond. TaIrIfactured under the
~ cent tax, undeI/the operation of that bill
IF yon are going to make this law take
effect Tomorrow, why not say to-day?'' de-
manded Mr. Bland. Democrat. of Missouri
or why not the day the Mckinley law
was reported2'
''rhe real purpose he added. was to
check all imports so long as the bill was
-pendinE before congress. If that should be
until next March"
The debate on the amendment was con-
cluded by Mr.. Bailey. who said: MIR
Grosvenor fails to distinguish between the
power of congress to pass retroactive laws
l inconsistent
| at the same time. The proposition of the
why's and means committee is that con-
Eress shall have the power to compel the
people of the United States to live at the
same time under two different and conflict
ing laws. Even, If by some strange decis-
ion Of court congress could exercise that
power. IL would not be wise to exercise IL
You propose TO put the people under
laws that are yet in the unfathornH bic wis
dom of the United States senate
The vote was then taken by teIlers on the
amendment fixing April ! as the date on
which the bill was TO go into effect and il
was adopted. $50 to 10.
The clerk resumed the reading of the bill
hut he did not complete single page be
fore motions 10 strike out the last word
and the last two words were again
forthcoming and made the ground for five
minute speeches. Some of these We're fast
and furious. The galleries hy this time
were crowded TO suffocation. Many promi-
nenf persons were present.
Mr.. Hartman. silver Republican of Nom
fana. declared that IL this bill became a
law IL would be by the cooperation of an
anti-gold standard majority In the senate.
The silver Republicans of the United
States. he declared, favored adequate pro-
lection. He thought some of the Demo
6rats had made a mistake in enphasizinr
the tariff issue. IL was not a hattie of the
schedules; it was the battle of the stand
Mr. Pierce Democrat Of TenneSsao ~