Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-18
HOUSE VOTES As SOLID UNIT
UnaRimOuIly Passes Bill 70 Repeal War
Revenue RsTss
RICHARDSON SPRINGS COMPLETE SURPRISE
Democrats Exhaust Their Resources
I'm seekips TO Check the current
Of Approval of the
Bill.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE unexpected
happened in the house today when the bill
to repeal the war revenue taxes was passed
unanimously without q word Of debate.
This action was the outcome Of a challenge
thrown dow by Mr.. Richardson Of Ten
nessee, the minority leader, after the
adoption by a strict party vote Of a spe-
eial order for the consideration OF the bill,
which permitted debate on II until 4 o'clock
tomorrow afternoon, but cut of all op-
portunities to offer amendments except
those agreed upon by the ways and means
committee.
The adoption Of the rule had been pre-
ceded by a storm debate, in the course of
which the democrats protested against the
application Of the gag" which Mr.. Hay
OF Virginia charged was meant to prevent
a free expression. not only BY the demo-
Gratis, but by some Of the republicans at
%tention being especially directed toward
Mr.. Babcock OF Wisconsin, the father Of the
bill. to amend the steel schedule Of the
present tariff law. They also charged that
such a method Of procedure was minimiz-
ing the influence Of the house and making
1t simply a machine to register the de-
crees Of the few men In control.
VIII Push His own Bill.
Mr.. Babcock said that he supported the
program on the ground that the issue pre-
sented for the repeal Of the war revenue
tax and should not be complicated with
other matters. Al tho same time he gave
notice that he should press his own bill AT
the nrst opportunity.
Mr.. Dalzell Of Pennsylvania scored a
point against the minority by recalling
the time, under democratic control Of the
house, when 694 amendments to the Wilson
tariff bill had been forced through without
being read. When the rule was adopted,
by a vote of 1853 to 400, M. Richardson,
to emphasize the fact that debate on the
bill could accomplish nothing and that de-
liberation on II would be fruitless, asked
unanimous consent that the bill be placed
on Its passage, not an objection was voiced
and the vote was taken forthwith. Every
vote, 278 In number, was cast in the af1rm-
alive and the house quietly tame to the
end Of what at one time had promised to
be one Of the most exciting contests Of the
session.
After some minor business had been
cleared away Mr.. DaIzell Of Pennsylvania,
from the committee on rules, presented
the special order agreed UP by that COM
mittee. Mr.. DalSell explained the effect OF
the rule. This measure, he said, was pre-
scented to redeem a pledge made when the
war revenue taxes we're imposed that when
the necessity for them ceased they would
be repealed. This was a measure on which,
he took it, there was practically unanfmity
OF sentiment on both sides of the house. II
was = simple repeal measure, and Il, was
deemed wise that II should be brought to,a
vote without complication on the extra
issues.
Protest Of Minority.
At the conclusion Of this brief statement
Mr.. Dalzell yielded thirty minutes to Mr..
Underwood of Alabama also OF the COM
mittee, on, rules. The Alabama member
protested against the adoption OF the rule
and offered this amendment: ",-s
That for the purpose of readjusting pres
snt duties on importations into the United
to support the government, economically
administered, and at the same time to
s sRs prssIde dae 81 efP tst t UniteS 81 States sais. so u ag.
thorised and empowered to negotiate trade
contracts with foreign nations, wherein
the expansion Of our foreign trade pro-
vided. that said trade contracts, before
the consress Of the United STATES for
ratification. amendment or rejection.
Reasons OF minority.
The reason for the presentation Of the
rule, Mr.. Hay declared, was because it was
necessary to gag two republican members
Of the republican ways and means COM
mittee, a number Of republicans on the
floor and a number Of democrats, Of the
house. He referred to reports in the news
papers that. even the president had been
converted to the view that Iron hand"
was necessary to prevent a wholesale re-
vision Of the tariff. At this point Mr.. Bah
cock OF Wisconsin. one Of the members
Of the ways and means committee, read
q statement Of his reasons for ~favoring
the adoption of the rule. 1t was to the
effect that after consultation he and his
colleagues did not consider 1t wise to
jeopardiSe the passage Of the repeal bill
by oompiicsting matters and he gave no.
tice that at the, fret opportunity he would
!, press for the consideration of his bill to
amend the Fsteel schedule.
! Hay Charges c~Owardice.
:. Mr.. Hay Of Virginia declared that the
pending rule would humiliate every mem
Der on the floor. because II prevented the
Offering OF a single amendment to this
bill. 1t was such a display Of cowardice
as never before had been Witnessed in the
house. (Applause)
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois argued earnestly
In favor Of the adoption Of the rule. Even
II other revenue reduction was advisable
It should not stand, he said, in the way
Of the repeal OF taxes gathered in the
treasury from the people there to con-
stitute a prize upon exploitation.
LET US" said he, in conclusion, ad-
dressing his side OF the house, take the
responsibility for the repeal Of those taxes,
as we took the responsibility for their Inn
position" (Republican applAuse)
Mr.. Richardson closed the debate for
the minority. In doing 50 be offered to
yield half his time to anyone on the repub-
lican side who cared to oppose the adoption
Of the rule. He paused when he had made
the oner, but no republicans rose. Smiling
faces looked over at him from across the
aisle.
DaIseII Closes Debate.
MI. Dalzell closed the debate on the rule,
In view of the solioltude of the gentleman
from Virginia. (Mr. Hsyl and the gentle