The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-23
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
TARIFF DEBATE OPENED IN THE
HOUSE.
A Very Tame Session, Both From
Spectacular and an Oratorical
Standpoint.

WASHINGTON, March %. The
first day of the tariff debate in the
House was rather tame from both a
spectacular and an oratOrical stand
point. The galleries were Nell-flled
all day, and the members on the floor
listened conscientiously, but there was
an absence both of that sharp cross
firing which keeps the nerves on edge
and that brilliant eloquence which in
spires and holds the iaagination.
The opening of the debate was de-
layed over two hours by the full read
ing of the bill of 1872 pages, and this, to
begin with, had a somewhat depress-
ing influence. The Republican leaders
insisted on this to avoid the possible
temperance in the future, should the
consideration of the bill not be COM
pleted under the five-minute rule, of
a claim that the bill had not been. read
in full in the House, a thing which
happened in the cases of both the Nc
Kinley and Wilson bills.
Only four speeches We're made at the
day session. Dingley, Chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee, opened
in an hours speech for the majority,
broadside for the opposition.
The plans Of the Democrats had mis-
carried. Bailey. leader Of the oppo-
sition, had decided to close the debate,
and McMilin of Tennessee had been
selected to reply to Dingley, but at the
last moment it was learned that Nc
Millin had been unable to prepare
himself, owing to the illness of his
wife. The task, therefore, devolved
on Wheeler. The latter was Unpre-
pared. but nevertheless took the door
for an hour.
Bell of Colorado blazed the path for
the Populists. The only other speaker
at the day session was Hopkins of Ili-
nois, member of the Ways and
Means Committee. Tomorrow it is
probable some of the House followers
will be heard.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, March %. The
Senate to-day agreed to a resolution
requesting the President for inforlna-
ton relative to the death of Dr. Ruiz
in Cuba.
Among the bills reported was the
Lodge bill restricting immigration.
Pettigrew of South Dakota reported
the bill for free homes on the public
lands, and gave notice of an andeavor
to secure action at the earliest posi-
bic moment.
Several other bills relating to Indi-
an affairs and public lands We're re-
ported and placed on the calendar.
Among the bills introduced was one
by Chandler for the exclusion of alien
anarchists.
At 1910 p. M, on motion of Frye of
Maine. the Senate went into executive
session, and at ) p. m. adjourned.
In executive session the Senate took
up the arbitration treaty. Senator
Frye spoke in its favor.
The Senate refused on yea and nay
vote to adopt the motion made by SEN
ator Morgan to amend the amendment
of the Foreign Relations Committee TO
the treaty.
Morgan's amendment provided for
striking out the words "jurists of re-
pute' from the amendment and insert
ing in lieu thereof provision consti.
tuting the Judges of the Supreme
Court members of the arbitration tri-
bunal.
Before the long executive session
closed all the amendments recommend
ed by the Committee on Foreign Rela-
lions were agreed to without revision
These amendments are:
l. To provide that ali agreements fol
arbitration entered into by the exec
utive branch of this Government with
the British Government shall be sub
ject to the ratification of the Senate
.. Striking out the provision consti-
| tuting members of the United States
Supreme Court permanent members OF
| the proposed tribunal of arbitration
| and
| 3. Eliminating the provision for ar
umpire, and therefore striking out the
provision agreeing upon King Oscar OF
Sweden and Norway for this office.