The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-18
stormy Debate Over n Special Rule,
which the Minority De-
nounced as a "Gag."
CENSUS OFFICE BILL PASSED
ADOPTED BY THE SENATE AFTER 1T
HAD BEEN AMENDED.
Bills for Extension of Bank Charters
and for Retirement Of Sergeant
Fredericks Also Passed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE unex2ect-
ed happened in the House to-day, when
the bill TO repeal the war revenue taxes
was passed unanimously without word
of debate. This action was the outcome OF
a challenge thrown down by Mr.. Richard
son, of Tennessee, the minority leader.
after the adoption by a strict party vote
of a special order for consideration OF the
bill which permitted debate on II until
o'clock Tomorrow afternoon, but cut on
all opportunity TO offer amendments except
such as had been agreed on by the ways
and means committee. The adoption OF
the rule had been preceded by a stormy
,lebatc, I'm the course Of which the Demo-
Gratis protested against the application OF
the gag" which Mr.. Hay, OF Virginia.
charged was meant TO prevent free ex-
preston not only by the Democrats, but by
some of the Republicans, attention 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 minimizing the influence Of
the House and making IL simply machine
TO register the decree of the few men Ia
control.
Mr.. Babcock said that he supported the
programme on the ground that the issue
presented for the repeal Of the war revenue
taxes should not be complicated with other
matters At the same time, he gave notice
that he should press his own bill at the
first opportunity. Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsyl-
vania. scored a point against the minority
by recalling the time. under Democratic
control of the House, when 6i9 amendments
10 the Wilson tariff bill had been forced
through without being read. When the
rule was adopted by a vote OF 15s to 12S Mr..
Richardson, TO emphasize the fact that de-
bate on the bill could accomplish nothing
and deliberation upon IL would be fruitless,
asked unanimous consent that the bill be
placed upon its passage. Not an objection
was voiced. and the vote was taken forth
with Every vote, 27s in number, was cast
In the affirmative, and thus quietly and
unanimously came the end of what at one
time had promised to be one of the most
exciting contests of the session.
UNDERwOOD's PROTEST.
When the special rule was presented Mr.
Underwood. of Alabama, protested against
its adoption, not, he said. because IL pro-
vided for consideration Of bill to reduce
taxation. 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.
As an instance of a tax which il was not
advisable TO repeal he cited the inheritance
tax. a tax which, he said, was levied on
class that was not reached by other taxa
tion. Mr.. Underwood said ne old not thlnk
/ a general tariff revision should be made
/ because such provision, whether good or
] bad would unsettle present conditions ana
might lead TO disorder he referred 20
/ the stagnation in business which existed
! pending the enactment OF both the wilson
! and Dingley )ill in support OF that state
ment. He thought the proper meenoa lsi,SS Ss ca
reducing duties at this time should De
through reciprocity agreements made IN
! pursuance of congressional enactment, ana
sent to the clerks desk ana and nad read AN an
! amendment representing MS IDEAS Ia ths
particular. IT follows;
ssrrhat for the purpose of readjusting the
present duties on importations INTO lhe
/ United States so as TO raise sufnclent rev
enues TO support the government econon-
ically administered, and at the same time
/ TO encourage the export trade OF this coun-
/ ~ tho President of the United States is
/ authorized and empowered 10 negouate
! trade contracts with foreign nations
] wherein mutual concessions are made look
inc 10 the EXPANSION OF our foreign trade.
] provided that said trade contracts. before
/ Incoming operative, shall be submitted 10
the Congress Of the United States Tor rat
] ification amendment or rejection"
] Mr. Ball denounced the rule as but an
| other step in the parliamentary evolution
! by which individualism In the House was
being crushed and a few men were en-
/ throned as the autOcrats TO dominate It's
will The reason for the presentation or
/ the rule he declared, was because IL was
| necessary TO gag two Republican members
of the ways and means committee, a num-
her of the Republicans on the moor, ana
/ ferred TO the report in the newspapers that
/ even the President had become converted
/ TO the view that the iron hand was neces-
I sary 10 prevent Whoiesale REVISION OA
the tariff
MIR. BABcoCK'S REPLY
AT this point. Mr. Babcock. one Of the
/ RepubIican members OF the ways and
means committee. 20 whom Mr. Ball had
referred read a statement Of his reasons
for favoring the adoption OF the rule. II
was 10 the effect that after consultation
with his colleagues he did not consider II
wise TO jeopardize the passage OF the re-
peal bill by complicating matters, and he
gave notice that at the first opportunity he
would press for the consideration OF his bill
TO amend the steel schedule
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 20 this bin.
{ II was Such a display OF coNdEolce a. ucN Nef
had before been witnessed In the House.
T TApplause.l When the bill went 10 the
Senate IL would be debated and amended.
but by this rule the House would be de-
prived or its rightful function. II would
but emphasize the growing opinion OF tho
country that the House Of Repre-
sentatiVeS simply was machine 20
register the decrees OF few men.
When the popular branch OF every
legislative assembly In Europe Was
being given more power. he said. this House
was being bound and gagged. The debate
10 be accorded under the rule he declared,
would be a farce because Al could accom-
plish nothing.
Mr.. Cannon. OF Illinois. argued earnestly
In favor OF the adoption OF the rule. Eves