The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-05

There was apparently no question that
the brewers were entitled to the total
repeal of the tax imposed by the war
with Spain. Its repeal had been prom
ised as soon as the war was over. The
tax imposed by the civil war still re-
mained, and a further imposition was
regarded as unjust. These points alone
presented in a clear and concise way
by men of common sense. ought to
have been sufficient.
Unfortunately such men were not
preferred. The presiding officer in
committee of the whole allowed the
flabbergasters to pre-empt the floor,
and fill the chamber with froth. The
work was varied by experts in the
strlnging of adjectives and by gentle-
men fresh from the realm of misrep-
resentation and the contiguous terri
tory of exaggeration. There were a
few good speeches, but the effect OF
their delivery was quickly drowned in
the utterances of professional takers.
The result was what might have been
expected. Every effort to lower the
tax from the limit placed by the ways
and means committee was defeated
by q decisive vote, and the brewers
finally abandoned the galleries in ap-
parent disgust After a hot struggle
over the repeal of the taxes on checks.
kilograms, and express receipts, the
minority gave way, and Serene Payne
won n complete victory.
LARGEST OF APPROPRIATION
BILLS.
Then the greatest OF all the appro-
priation bills was jumped through the
house. 1t was handled by the Hon.
Samuel s. Barney, of Wisconsin. IL
appropriated $145,245,230 for the pay
ment of pensions in the year beginning
in July next. Mr.. Barney assured the
members that this sum included what
was likely to be paid to the Spanish
war veterans, and the bill went
through without a protest. The next
day was suspension day. Members
recognized by the speaker could move
to take up bills under suspension of
the rules, but 1t would require a two-
thirds vote to pass them. Jacob H.
Bromwell, of Cincinnati, tried to run
this gauntlet with a bill giving vete-
rams the preference in civil service
appointments, but came out in shock
ing condition. His defeat was 30
overwhelming that he could not even
raise sufficient votes to secure the yeas
and nays, and the veterans are thus
left without a record of the few friends
who voted for the bill.
The next two days were occupied in
discussing grade crossing bills in
Washington, d. c. The railroads got
what they wanted, and the people seem
satisfied. On the Goth the Hon. James
s. Sherman, of New York, turned the
Indian appropriation bill on the house.
1t carried $9,036 526. .09-$750, 900 more
than last year. Sherman ran it
through within two hours, and Cover
nor Hill, of Iowa, closed the session by
engineering the Military Academy ap-
preparation bill to a vote. The next
day the speakers gavel announced the
holiday recess.
LEGISLATION JAMMED IN THE
SENATE.
So much for the work of the house
How stands the record of the dying
year in the senate. The only work Of
Importance it has achieved is to amend
and pass the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Legislation here is jammed.
Aside from privileged business the
subsidy bill has the right of way, with
no apparent prospect of final action
The Nicaragua canal bill, sent over
from the house last session, awaits
consideration. The committee on la
Dor has taken no action on the eight
hour bill, also sent over in the last ses-
sion. The bill for the increase of the
| army demands immediate attention,
and the house is awaiting its action
| on the Grout bill, the bill for the re-
duction of the war revenue and the four
| regular appropriation bills dumped be-
! fore the recess When you consider
| the struggle that must ensue over the
| river and harbor measure, and the mil
| lions that will be demanded for public
| buildings, still awaiting action in the
| house, 1t looks as though 1t would re-
quire @ Hercules to finish the work be-
| fore March 4. There Is no Hercules in
| the senate. 1t is a law unto itself, with
senatorial courtesy predominant. Ty-
| phoons are, however, in order. and the
senatorial ship may be soon forced to
scud under bare poles.
Amos J. Cummings.