Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-02-18
DEBATE ON BILL is WAIVED
Democrats Spring Surprise on the
Opposition When Revenue Bill
Comes Up.
Minority Fought Special Rule Against
Amendment but Afterward Con-
sented to Passage.
Richardson's Motion for Putting Bill o,
Final Passage Goes Through
Smoothly.

Smoothly.
Washington, Feb. 18.-There was a
large attendance upon the floor Of the
house and in the galleries in aHticipa-
tion of the debate on the bill to repeal
the war revenue taxes. Just prior to
the assembling of the house the com
Smittee on rules met and agreed upon
the form of a special rule for the con-
sideration of the bill by the terms of
which it would be brought to vote
after two days debate.
After some minor business had been
cleared away Mr.. Dalzell (Pa.), from
the committee on rules, presented the
special order agreed upon by that
committee. Mr.. Dalzell explained the
effect of the rule. The measure, he
said, was presented to redeem a
pledge made when the war revenue
taxes were imposed that when the
necessity for them ceased they would
be repealed. This was measure on
which, he understood, there was prac-
tically unanimity of sentiment on both
sides of the house. it was simple
repeal measure and it was deemed
wise that it should be brought to a
vote without complication on the ex-
traneous issues.
At the conclusion of this brief state
ment Mr.. Dalzen yielded 80 minutes
70 Mr.. Underwood (Ala.), also of the
committee on rules.
The Alabama member protested
against the adoption of the rule, not,
he said, because it provided for the
consideration of bill to reduce tax
alton, but because it prevented indi-
vidual members from exercising their
own judgment or carrying out the
wishes of their constituents as to what
portion of the excessive taxes should
be repealed. II
AS an instance of a tax which it was
not advisable to repeal he cited the in.
heritance tax tax which, he said, was
levied on class that was not reached
by other taxation.
Mr.. Ball (Tex.) denounced the rule
as but another step in the parliament
ary evolutions by which individualism
in the house was being crushed and a
few men were enthroned as autocrats
to dominate its will.
Mr.. Ball said it was reported in the
papers that the president had been
converted to the view that the iron
hand" was necessary to prevent a
wholesale revision of the tariff.
Mr.. Babcock (Wis.) said he did not
believe in complicating the repeal bill
with other tariff matters, but at the
first opportunity he would press his
measure to amend the steel schedule.
Calls It Display of cowardice.
Mr.. Hay (va.) said the rule was
such a display of cowardice as had
never been seen in the house. The
bill would be debated and amended in
the senate. Mr.. Cannon Qlls.) argued
in favor of the adoption of the rule
in order that the war tax might be
repealed.
Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.) said there
were many Republicans who were
restive under the demand of their
constituents for revision Of some Of
the tariff schedules. Mr.. Babcock's
excuse, he said, was lame and he
could not go back to his constituents
and explain. He lost his opportunity,
continued Mr.. Richardson, after vot-
ing for this rule.
Mr.. Dalzell, closing the debate, said
that in 1894 the Democrats of the
house, then in majority, under rule
swallowed 649 amendments to the Will
son tariff bill after two hours debate.
Upon his demand the previous ques-
tion was ordered.
Mr. Richardson made motion to
recommit the rule After rather a
sharp tilt between the speaker and Mr..
Richardson the speaker sustained a
point of order against the motion
Mr.. Richardson appealed from the de-
cision and upon roll call the chair
was. sustained, 165 to 1913.
The rule was adopted 158 to 120.
Thereupon Mr.. Richardson, the mi
nority leader, arose.
I rise to make request for unan-
imous consent" said he. ''In view OF
the fact that we are not permitted to
amend the pending bill and in view
of the fact that two days debate is
absolutely fruitless under this rule
ask unanimous consent that the bill
be put upon its passage now" TAp.
plause on both sides.1
The speaker put the request. Mem.
bers looked at each other with amaze
ment. Not sound was heard
There is no objection" announced
the speaker as he brought his gavel
down. The clerk will read the bill.'
Both sides Of the house Joined in the
ringing applause that followed. The
Eclerk then began to read the bill.
The verbal committee amendments
to, the bill were agreed to and the
yeas and nays were taken on its pas
sage.
The bill was then passed unanimous
ly. 278 members voting aye.
The most effusive argument charm.
ing woman can use to a man Is an ap.
pealing Don't you think so?'-Smart
Set