The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-01
sHREWD POLITICAL SCHEME.
REPUBLICAN PLAN TO GET CAM
PAIGN CAPITAL.

bIe for Defeat of an Alleged Anti
Trust Constitutional Amendment
which Is Quite Objectionable.
REQUIRES TwO-thirds Vote to
pass the ResoIution-It VIII BE
voted on To-day.
Washington May 31.-The House to-
day, under a special order, adopted, after
On exceedingly hot debate, in which the
lea6e on both sides charged each other
with playing to the political galleries, en-
tered upon the consideration of the reso-
luton reported from the Judiciary Com
milee proposing a constitutional amend
ment to lodge in Congress the power to
define, regulate control, prohibit or dis
s1lve trusts, monopolies or combinations"
Under the terms of the order, to-day,
wi night session tonight, were de-
voted to debate, and tomorrow at 5
o'clock the vote is to be taken without
opportunity to amend. Saturday is to be
devoted to the bill to amend the Sherman
antitrust law.
The Democrats charge that the pro-
posed constitutional amendment was OBJ
iectionable in every way; that it was
necessary and was proposed at the end of
the session for election purposes in the
coming campaign. The Republicans repu-
dated the charge of bad faith.
Mr. Ray declared that If the resolution
was defeated the opposition would be re-
sponsible. A constitutional amendment
requires a two-thirds vote to adopt It,
or 236 votes with the present membership
of the House. The Republicans have but
1856 votes, fifty less than the requisite
two-thirds. There We're only three speak
ers at the day session, Messrs. Ray OF
New York, Terry of Arkansas, and Lam
ham of Texas.
Would Destroy States Power.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader.
criticised the rule brought in by Mr.
Dalzen framed to bring the House to a
vote on the resolution without opportunity
TO amend it, He said the Republican
party, supreme In control since March 4,
1897, had at the outset of the administra-
ton. enacted the Dingley lava law
which has done more to foster and to
propagate trusts than any other on the
statute books. During all the intervening
time nothing has been done to control
trusts but now, on the eve Of adjourn
msnt,se.s- = resolution has been passed
fixing a day for a final dissolution, he
Republican party brings in this antitrust
legislation. ID is an effort to recoup Tor
feoiehe Democratic party beneves e4se
evils Of trusts should be checked and
we, on this side, are ready and willing
to vote for any measure for their sup
preston and control. We would even
vote for a constitutional amendment. If
one were necessary, but the proposed con-
situtional amendment will not serve the
purpose. 1t will have exactly the oppo-
size effect. 1t viii take away from the
ates the power to legislate against
trusts. l hope every Democrat on this
floor who loves law and order will stand
with us in the effort to vote down this
resolution" Democratic applause.) .
Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio followed Mr..
Richardson. He said:
This is a proposition of the majority.
We will be held responsible. The oppo-
sition will not share/ the burden, if bur-
cen lit he. This is a radical action.
was inclined to criticise it when the DEM
ocraic leader, Mr.. Bryan, suggested it
at Chicago. / criticized 1t as un-Demo-
cratic. Since thai time, Mr.. Bryan has
remained silent. but we are now here
submitting it. You can either approve it
or go on record against it," Republican
applause.)
BaiIey's View of 1t.
Mr.. Bailey. replying, declared the Re-
publcans have no real purpose to dissolve
or destroy trusts. No one, he said, ad.
dressing the Republicans, dare here de-
clare seriously on his honor that he eX-
poets either the bill or resolution to lie
acted on by the Senate at this session. But
whether passed or not, not enough states
would ratfy 1t, as il empowers Congress
to interfere and control The states domes-
tic industries. 1t was mere play, he said.
an impracticable obstacle.
Il have doubted your sincerity and your
political integrity. Some of you may be
hypocrites, some even rascals, but none oS
you are FOOLS
Mr.. Dalzell closed the debate for thu ma
jority. No political party and no .ndivid-
ual said he, had a future who was not
against trusts.
You believe in demagogy upon the
stump; we believe in effective legislation
upon the statute books.Y Prolongel Re-
publican applause)
Mr.. Richardson attempted before the
vote was taken upon the adoption of the
rule, TO offer motion to recommit, but
Mr. palzeH made the point of order that
sustained by the Speaker. Mr.. Richard
son offered to submit precedents. includ-
ing two rulings of ex-Speaker Reed, but
the chair declined to hear him. He had,
ne said, examined all precedents, and his
mind was clear. The rule was adopted.
l4 to l1s.
Il was a strict party vote with the ex-
cepIion of Mr.. Mann of Illinois, who voted
win the Democrats against the rule.
Trap for the Minority.
The minority amendments to the bill
were then offered and considered, after
~nicf the debate upon the resolution was
formally opened by MIR. Ray chairman OF
'he Judiciary Committee.
lie said the proposition of the minority
10 write into the constitution, something
,Het was already there was ridiculous;
pontlcal claptrap. If the opposition de-
tteated the resolution, they must answer
lor 1t at the polls.
Mf' Terry of Arkansas, for the minority,
oppressed regret that in so grave an is nIe
we Republican party had seen ut 10 pre-
seht a constitutional amendment in so OBJ
;eVuonable form that II cou.d never DE
Incorporated in the constitution. The
~noe question, he said. had been treated,
not tiom the broad standpoint of patr'ot-
pediency.
Mr. Lanham, OF Texas occupied the re-
nlWnder of the day in opposition to the
lesolution. At 5;05 D. m. the House re-