Evening star., 1898-05-31
Why he Wished to Amend the Rev-
enue Measure.
TEE MAJORITY UNABLE TO SPEAK
w. B. Sullivan Sworn in as Sem
ator From Mississ ippi.
HOUSE IN SHORT SESSION


day the chaplain's invocation was a glow
ing tribute to the life and character of
Gladstone, ''the greatest of all commoners
the noblest person of our time, great in his
gifts, greater in the use he made of them"
Mr. Money (Miss) presented the creden-
tials Of William B. Sullivan, appointed
senator from Mississippi by Gov. A. j. Nc
Laurin. to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Senator Edward c. Walthall The
cath was administered TO the new senator
by the Vice President, Mr.. Money escortipg
him to the desk. Senator Sullivan waH the
recipient of handsome floral pieces.
Consideration Of the war revenue bill was
then resumed. Mr.. Mason Qll) offered as
an amendment to the pendiag measure, a
bill favorably passed upon by the manu-
factures committee. 1t provides that adul-
terated flcur shall be properly and correctly
labeled when offered for SALE ami that all
adulterated Hours must pay q tax to the
government. In advocating his amendment
Mr.. Mason said the tax would produce
$JOO0O0 revenue year.
In support of the proposed amendment
Mr. Mason had read an extended state
ment prepared by the National Association
of American MillerS.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Masons speech
Mr.. Lodge took the floor to make his ex-
pected statement concerning his motives In
offering the Hawaiian annexation resolu-
ton as an amendment to the war revenue
measure.
In beginning Mr. Lodge said that he had
no special desire to speak behind closed
doors, md he would not call up the amend
ment which he had offered to the pending
bill. II had" said he, INTENDED to use the
amendment as an illustration of my argu-
ment. but 1 will dispense with the illustra-
ton and proceed directly to the argument
He said that it was a generally recog-
nized prin ciple in this country that the
Inrtt nTreyhf To md hat trin-
lstion of that principle was a travesty on
justice. He referred to the practical and
emphatic exposition of the principle in the
Fifty-tirst Congress. ard declared that
stree that time the exposition then made
had been approved by the courts, and a
situation has arisen, however, in
which 1t was beng demonstrated that the
minority was still ruling, and in this case
il was minority originally selected by the
majority.
The Helpless Majority.
NJ. Lodge maintained that IL a measure
was proposed to Congress which the ad-
ministratior desired should be enacted into
law. and which commanded the support of
majority of both branches of Congress.
it ought. in all justice, to be passed. Such
measure had been presented. but in the
circumstances there seemed nothing left
Tor the helpless majority to do but to
efter It's feeble protest against the arro-
CANT minority,
On the floor of The Senate it was possible
Tor an humble member to call the facts to
the attention of the country. He deemed
Ii particularly desirable in this time of war
that the country should be made acquainted
with all the facts of the present anomalous
legislative situation.
Referring to the criticism of himself he.
cause he offered the Hawaiian annexation
resolution as an amendment to the pending
bill, Mr.. Lodge said: Il have never attempt
ed to Obstruct legislation, of any kind, at
any time and / have Irn
tive intention of attempting ohstruct the
speedy enactment of this great revenue bill.
l am firmly impressed with the idea that
we ought not only to pass the revenue
measure, but every other bill which the
administration desires as a war measure
and do so speedily. So far as ] am con-
cerned am unwilling that Congress should
ad1ourn until all of the measures demanded
by the exisencies of war, of whatever ma
ture these measures may he, snail have
been enacted into law"
Mr.. Lodge maintained that the President
had the right to ask Congress for its sup
rCrt of every measure he desired to assist
him in tie prosecution of the war. Until
he should notify Congress. formally or in
formally, that there is no further need Of
its presence in session, it was the manifest
duty of Congress to continue In session
AS anxious as l am" said he, for ar
early adjournment, will never give my
vote to proposition to adjourn until the
President had been afforded every bit of
legislation he desires in the prosecution of
the war. Then We will be needed 10
longer"
Mr.. Lodge had just made reference to
the magnificent victory achieved by Ad-
nliral Dewey in the Philippines, when he
was interrupted by Mr.. Turpie Qnd.), who
inquired If he proposed to discuss the sub
ject matter of his amendment
As l explained in the beginning" re-
piled Mr.. Lodge, Il do not propose to dis
Gus euss the Hawaiian question. if that is what
That is what 1 referred to-" said Mr..
Iurpie. N-i
1T Is my purpose" said Mr.. Lodge. "to
oiscuss some OF the conditions growing out
OF the present war, and l deem them a ner-
iectly proper subject for public discussion
Mr. White Cal). leader of the anti-an-
neAation minority in the Senate, said ,nat
when any or the opponents of annexation
fad attempted to discuss tn. questions
growing out OF the war they had been forced
into secret legislative session lie had
fimself desired to discuss the Hawaiian
question IN the open. but the privilege had
been denied to him. He thought no discrim-
ination ought to be made.
Mr. Lodge restated the object of his
speech and then said tartly: Il do not
know why the senator (Mr White) started
in alarm at my mention of the work of the
Asiatic squadron
Il was not alarmed" said Mr. White, "at
the senator's remark upon that or upon
any other question. on this or on any other
day.
Executive Session.
When Mr.. Lodge began discussing the
war situation it was insisted that the de-
bate should be behind closed doors. and
the Senate went into executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVEs.
The House Of Representatives today
passed bill authorizing the construction
of railway bridge across Lake ST.
Francis. near Lake City, Ark
Also concurrent resolution directing the
&C mmission now codifying the criminal laws
to prepare and submit code Of civil law
and procedure for Alaska.
A number Of private bills were passed
and the House in committee of the whole
considered bill authorizing the Secretary
ct the Treasury to keep open during June
and July this year such life-saving stations
! on the Atlantic and gulf coasts as he might
deem advisable. The bill was urged by
the Secretary of the Navy as eroviding for
the continuance in the months pamed Of
an important adjunct to the naval and
coast signal service in making efficient the
patrol service. After some desultOry dis
c;r ho dad