Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-04-07
CONGRESS.
Senate.

| Before turning to the arbitration treaty
g on the I 3na gave an h9ar TO
| tons were agreed to by Mr.. Pettigrew Of
South Dakota, asking the secretary Of the
interior for information relative to PreSi-
dent Cleyeland's sweeping order establish.
ing forest reserves and by Mr.. Gallinger Of
New Hampshire, calling on the civil service
commission for the reason why certain class
eS of WOrkmen were subjected to COMPETE
| tive examination contrary to the law eX-
| emptng laborers from the classified service.
The first phase of the tariff in the Senate
made its appearance in Senate resolution
| by Mr. Allen of Nebraska declaring that
tariff taxes on articles of daily consumption
should not be laid so as to enrich one class
at the expense of the masses. 1t went over.
Senator Allen, a Populist of Nebraska.
made a long speech in the Senate on the
Both on the unconstitutiOnality of tariff
taxes beyond those requisite for revenue.
Although it was the first tariff speech the
Senate has heard this season, it did not at
tract marked attention. Mr.. Allen severely
| criticised the trusts and combinations,
which. he. declared reaped the main adj
vantage of tariff taxes. The senator's
marks were in the nature of legal argu-
ment showing the constitutional limitations
on the taxing power of congress. at the
conclusion of Mr.. Aliens remarks the reSO-
| luton was referred to the finance commit
tee. The House amendments to the Senate
Joint resolution appropriating $3.50 600 for
the saving of life and property along the
Mississippi river were agreed to and the
resolution now goes to the President.
The noon session of the Senate on the
3lst lasted less than half an hour. 1t was
! productive of another Cuban resolution by
Mr.. Mills of Texas, calling the commit
tee on foreign relations FOR Il report on the
obligations assumed by the United States
IN insisting that Cuba should not be an
neXed to any European power and should
remain subject Of Spain. Mr.. Hale's OBJ
| lection sent the resolution over. The Nor
| gan resolution calling on the President FOR
Gen. GOmez'S letters also went over. The
rest Of the day was spent in executive SEES
sion on the arbitration treaty. At 1923 p.
! N. the senate went into executive session
and at O'Clock adjourned.
The tariff bill passed by the House was
received by the Senate as soon as the SEES
| sion opened on the Isl. There were 10
| formalities as to its reference and with
out motion or comment the presiding Of
hcer Mr.. Hobart referred the bill to the
/ immediate consideration for joint resOlu-
ton directing the secretary of the navy to
| use 4 government vessel or charter a private
vessel for the transportation of contribu-
| tiOns of grain. etc. to the famine stricken
people of India. The Cuban question was
revived in the Senate after long period
| of comparative calm. Four distinct Cuban
resolutions were brought forward in rapid
succession. The last and most important
! one came from Senator Morgan of Alabama.
| 1t declares that a state of war exists III
Cuba and announces the policy of the Unit
ed States is to accord to both parties to the
| conflict recognition as belligerents. Mr..
Morgan gave notice that he would call up
Senate with the expectation OF securing
final action
House.
The Goth was by far the most busy day
the House has witnessed since the tariff de-
| bate began. The proceedings throughout
were of lively order and several times
| bordered the sensational. The Demo
Gratis blocked proceedings in the first in
| stance by demanding the presence of
quorum before allowing any legislative
work. Mr. Richardson offered diatory
tions, but finally withdrew them saying:
Let the other side work out this puzzle"
There is no puzzle" remarked the speak
| er. except the Incidence Of members"
| the majority has" observed Mr. Richard
| SON 1T this point. Mr.. DIngley moved the
approval of the Journal and after an hour
and twelve minutes delay, it was so ordered
| by ODD to l. There was a sensational scene
in the afternoon when Mr.. Johnson of In
| diana protested against taking the time Of
the House in irrelevant discussion. He
was ordered to take his seat and refused,
but finally did So as the chairman of the
committee Of the whole, Mr.. Sherman, was
! about to summon the speaker. second
| time he arose and the speaker was actually
called in to subdue Mr.. Johnson.
Party feeling ran high during the last day
of the tariff debate in the House the 30th
Political speeches were Wedged in at every
opportunity and there was constant maneuv-
| ering for political advantages. The oppo-
sition directed their efforts far as pos
| sibe toward stirring up dissensiOns the
| Republican side, but they succeeded only
! in exposing a single instance of revolt.
That was on the subject Of free hides. The
| Democrats pressed the question of a duty
on hides for the benefit OF the farmer with
| such vigor that Mr.. Hepburn, an Iowa Re-
| publican, was drawn into the debate and
| made a strong plea for dutiable hides. He
demanded that the House be given OPP
! portunity to vote on this question, and de-
cIared that every Western Republican was
| in favor of it.
The vote on the final passage Of the
! Dingley bill on the 31st STOOD Ayes 205;
! nays 122: present and not voting p, a ma
jority of 49, Speaker Reed added to the
| dramatic nature of the climax by directing
the clerk to call his name at the end Of the
! roll call, recording his vote for the bill.
| The Republicans presented an unbroken
front to the opposition. All the rumOrs that
| dissatisfaction with particular schedules OF
| the bill might lead some of them to break
over the party traces proved absolutely IN
founded. On the other hand, five Demo-
braved the party whip and gave the bill the
approval of their votes. These five Demo
Gratis are interested in the sugar schedule.
Three came from Louisiana and two from
| Texas One Populist. Howard of Alabama,
| voted for the bill Twenty-one other mem
| bers Of what IS denominated "the oppOsi-
| ton" consisting of Populists, Fusionists
! and Silyertes declined to record them
selves either for or against the measure,
| An amendment puts the duties into effect
| on April l.
After listening to long personal expla-
nation on the Sd from Mr.. Terry Dem.
| Ark), who felt aggrieved at statements
| that he was jealous anu because the
| of Mr. McA1llin as their leader the House
| by unanimous consent passed the Senate
| Joint resolution to charter Il vessel to carry
! food to India'S famine sufferers, and then