Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-02-21
CUTS OFF $4,000,
Not a Vote Against War Revenue
Reduction Bill.
CLEVER DEMOCRATIC RUSE
Action of Minority Was a Protest
Against So-CalIed Gag" Rules
Senate Ratified Treaty for Danish
West Indies.

WCSl
After sharp parliamentary sparring
over the adoption of special rule re-
ported by Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania,
for the committee on rules, the war Rev
enue reduction bill, wping out the taxes
levied to meet the extraordinary eXpen-
SEES of the war with Spain passed the
House Monday afternoon without dis
senting vote. The result was surprise
to oil the seasoned Republican leaders.
as they We're not forewarned of the in
tention of Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee,
the Democratic leader, to ask unanimous
consent for the suspension of the rules
ana to put the bill Immediately on its
passage without debate. 1t was after
the Democratic leaders had VainlY tried
to obtain modification of the special
rule reported by Mr.. Dalzell. fixing the
time for closing the debate az o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. that Mr.. Richard
son obtained the floor on some pretcN that
did not appear plain even to Speaker Hen
dersou. announced that his side unani-
mously favored the repeal of all the re-
naming war taxes and that as protest
| against what he called the gag rules of
| the House he moved that without fur
| Their preliminaries. the bill at once bc
| put to a vote.
Mr. Richardson's motion caused lively
| commotiou on the Republican side Of the
| chamber, Meesrs. Payne, Grosvenor, Can
non. Dalzen and other leaders quickly
| gathering in front of the Speakers desk
| and holding hurried consultations, while
! the Democrats applauded Mr. Richard
| sons sharp move. The astonished Re
| publican leaders consulted Speaker Hend-
! erson frequently while the confusion
| lasted. and as nobody offered any objec-
! ton to the Democratic leaders request
| for unanimous consent for the bill to be
placed on its passage. the rollcall on Mr..
! Richardson's motion was ordered without
/ more ado. Every member in his scat
! 21S in all-registered his vote for the bill
in a voice that rang out resonantly. The
| incident was one of the most remarkable
| in the recent history of Congress \ bill
| that lops off from the public revenue
more than $15.060.00o passed the House
! without debate or division and amid
| silence after the House recovered from
its surprise that was oppressive. When
| this had been accomplished the House i'm
mediately adjourned, leaving the hewildcr-
ed spectators in the crowded galleries
wondering what had happened and wha'
it all meant. The members filed out leis-
| urelV. the leaders of the two sides good
naturedly chatting one another. as If each
political party had achieved a great vic
tory.
The Senate Monday. by viva voce
vote. ratified the treaty with Denmark
for the cesson to the United States of
the West Indian islands of St. Thorn
paid for the islands is S5,000,0o0.
Senator Cullom explained all the provi-
siOns of the treaty. and gave a detailed
account of their resources and of their
trade value to the United States. He
said the provision affecting the civil
rights of the inhabitants was similar to
the provision on the same subject in the
Spanish treaty concerning Porto Rico.
The United States assumes no debt all
claims against the insular government
being cancelled by Denmark. The Uni
ted States may take possession of the
islands as soon as ratifioations are ex-
changed without delaying until an ap-
preparation is made for payment.
The harbor of St. Thomas Island was
described as one of the safest and best
in the West Indies, and the Importance
| of its possession from a strategic point
of view was enlarged upon. He said that
the control of that harbor commands tho
military situation as far as necessary in
Cuba, and that If we are to build canal
across the Isthmus of Panama the own
ership of the harbor by the United States
is essential. as it guards the approach tC
it.
In the House Friday Mr.. Wheeler. OF
| Kentucky, made a sensational speech IN
denunciation of the foreign policy of the
government lie assaled Secretary
Hay and Lord Pauncefote. and he alsc
criticised the President for his reported
intention to send his daughter to the cor
onaton of King Edward. and protested
against the official reception of Prince
Henry. Several Of the members on the
Republican side replied. During the day
125 private pension bills were passed II
thirty-seven minutes.
The United States Senate Monday af
ter an extended debate, passed the bill
establishing a permanent census office
! Several other bills of Importance on thu
calendar We're passed, among them on'
extending the charters of national banks
The Senate committee on agriculture Il
considering the oeo bill which recently
passed the House and has been givin.
hearings to those for and against thu
measure.
The President sent to the Senate Mon
day a message recommending the retire
ment of Naval Constructor Richmond p
Hobson Capt, Hobson the hero of tn
Merrimac at Santiago, is suffering from
weak eyes which interfere with his nava
construction work. 1t is believed in som
quarters that he is ambitious POLITICAL,
and that he will be a Congressional can
didate in Alabama.
Nelson Parte was arrested at Rutland b.