The Bemidji pioneer., 1897-04-08
WORK OF CONGRESS.
Condensed Proceedings OF the Ma
@. tional Law Mill.

tional Law MIL.
Washington, March 29--The progress
of the house on the tariff bill was
even slower than ever. Only tive
more pages of the 162 of the bill were
disposed of, making fourteen pagesain
all in the two Of the five days allowed
for consideration under the tive-minute
rule. AT this rate only thirty-one
pages of the bill will be disposed OF
before the bill comes to a final vote.
Only five amendments We're adopted,
all of minor Importance and each an
amendment of the ways and means
committee. All the questions In
volved in the tariff, with occasional
incursions into the realm of the imam
cial theories, furnished fruitful topics
for the members. Fully two hours
was spent in the discussion Of whether
the foreigner or the consumer paid the
tax. This question bids fair to "on-
sune much more time before the de-
bate closes. If more progress is not
made night sessions will be held.
Representative Walker introduced
two bills relating to banking and cur
rency, entitled, respectively, 10
modify the national banking laws so
as to provide the people with safe,
ample, elastic and cheap currency,
and ito call in and cancel the paper
money now injuring the prosperity or
the country" $.@
Washington. March 30.--This was by
far the most busy day the house has
witnessed since the tariff debate be-
gan. The proceedings throughout We're
OF, lively order and several times
bordered on the sensational. The
Democrats blocked proceedings In the
first instance by demanding the pres
ence of quorum before allowing any
legislative work Mr.. Richardson of
fered dilatory motions but finally
withdrew them, saying: Let the 9TH
er side work out it's own puzzle"
There is no puzzle remarked the
speaker, except the Incidence of men,
.bers." .At
1--WE have as many present on this
side as the majority has," observed
Mr. Richardson.
At this point Mr.. Dingley moved the
approval of the journal, and after an
our and twelve minutes delay it was
so ordered by 900 to 1. On resumption
of consideration Of the tariff bills Mr..
Dingley announced that the ways and
mears committee had several amend
ments to offer. The first increased
the rate ON gelatine, glue prepared fish
bladders valued at not above 10 cents
per pound, from to IL cents. The
second placed duty of 81 per ton on
bauxide not refined.
Mr.. Shaforth (Silver Rep, Colo) in
weighed against obstruction, declaring
that the failure Of the tariff bill in the
house or senate would be the most dis
astrous blow that could be struck to
silver. The tariff bill should be passed
and the issue clearly drawn between
gold and silver.
A somewhat SenS1 tiOnal scene Oc-
Cured at this juncture which necessi-
tated the summoning of Speaker Reed
from his room. Mr.. Johnson (Rep.,
Ind entered an exceedingly vigorous
protest against the irrelevant discus
sions with which the time Of the
house was being taken up, and, after
Mr. Sherman of New York, who was
in the chair, had ruled him out OF
order, he continued to protest. Then
the chair ordered him to take his seat.
Twenty times the irate 1ndianan was
admonished to take his seat, but the
latter continued his defiance The
greatest confusion prevailed. The
speaker was hurricdly summoned. Mr..
Johnson continued to stand defiantly
in his place. Suddenly the doors burst
open and the large form Of the speaker
came into view. His face was flushed.
AS he appeared on the scene Mr.. John
son quickly dropped down into his
seat. ...*
The speaker looked toward Mr.. John
son, who arose and in calm tones said,
lie desired to get on with the bill so
that he would have IN opportunity to
offer some amendments toward the
close. He did not want the bill sent
to the senate Il crude measure, "fOr,"
said he, sit has been so characterized
by the press and the public He had
protested with feeling and vehemence
but, he said, he thought the occasion
called for warmth and vigOr. His
course may not have been parliament
tary, but precious time should not be
wasted in the consideration Of a
measure fraught with such i'm
portant consequences to the Ameri-
can people. Some of the Republicans
applauded Mr.. Johnson.
spirit No matter what the provoca-
ton for such a protest, he said, the
gentleman from Indiana could not but
agree that it was the first duty of
member to obey the directions of the
presiding officer. The house then
went back into committee and proceed
ed with the debate.
The first phase of the tariff in the
senate made it's appearance in SEN
ate resolution by Mr.. Allen of Ne
braska declaring that tariff taxes on
articles of daily consumption should
hot be laid so as to enrich one class ut
the expense of the masses. Mr.. Hoar
from the Judiciary committee reported
favorably the bill to prevent kineto-
scope exhibitions of prize fights in the
District of Columbia and the terri
tories ald to prohibit the shipping Of
material for the exhibition. Mr.. Nor
gan of Alabama submitted a minority
report on the bill for commission to
settle the Central Pacific railroad in
dcbtedness to the government. The
Al