New-York tribune., 1902-02-18
REPEATING WAR TAXES.
THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS
IN THE HOUSE.
MAYS AND MEANS BILL PASSED UNANI-
MOUSLY on THE DEMOCRATIC
LEADERS MOTION.
[BE TELEGRAPH TO The 1R1BrvE.l

[BT TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNEl
Washington, Feb 17.-After sharp parlia-
rns.tary sparrng over the adoption of a special
rule reported by Mr.. DalzeI. of PENNSYLVANIA
for the Committee on Rules. the War Revenue
Reduction bin, wiping out the taxes levied
70 meet the extraordinary expenses Of the war
with Spain. passed the House this afternoon
without 2 dissenting vote. The result vas a sur
prise 10 all the seasoned Republican leaders. as
they we're not forewarned of the intention Of
Mr.. Richardson. Of Tennessee. the Democratic
leader. 10 ask unanimous consent for the sus-
pension Of the rules and TO put the bill inne-
oiately on its passage without debate. It was
after the Democratic leaders had vainIy tried to
Obtain modification OF the special rule reported
by Mr.. Dalzell. fixing the time for closing the
debate at / O'Clock tomorrow afternoon, that
Mr. Richardson, obtaining the floor on some pre-
text that did not appear plain even to Speaker
Henderson. announced that his side unanimous
ly favored the repeal Of all the remaining war
taxes. and that. as q protest against what he
called the gag rules Of the House he moved
that. without further preliminaries the bill at
once be put TO a vote.
REPUBLICAN LEADERS AsTONISHED.
Mr- Richardson's motion caused lively com
motion on The Republican side of the chamber
Messrs. Payne Grosvenor. Cannon. Dalzell and
other leaders quickly gathering in front Of the
Speakers desk and holding hurried consulta-
uons. while the Democrats applauded A1r Rich
ardson's sharp move. The astonshed Republi-
can leaders consulted Speaker Henderson fire.
puently while the confusion lasted. and as no
body offered any objection TO the Democratic
leaders request for unanimous consent for the
blll 10 be placed on its passa ge. the rollcaH on
Mr. Richardson's motion was ordered without
more ado. Every member in his seat-27S in
aI-registered his vote for the bill in a voice
mat rang out resonantly. The incident was
one Of the most remarkabe in the recent history
of Congress. bill that lops off from the pub
lie revenue more than S75,OOO,OOO passed the
House without debate or division. and amid
Silence. after the House recovered from its sur
prise. that was oppressive When this had been
accomplished the House Immediately adjourned.
leaving the bewildered spectators in the crowd
cd galleries wondering what had happened and
"hat II al meant. The members filed out leis-
urely, the leaders Of the two sides good natured-
ly chatting one another. if each political party
had achieved a great victory.
FIGHT OVER THE SPECIAL RULE.
Preceding the unlocked for result there was a
spirited passage at arms between Messrs Dal-
ell Babcock and Cannon for the Republicans,
and Messrs Richardson. Underwood. Hay and
Ball Of Texas, for the Democrats over the
adoption of the special rule limiting the debate
ana cutting off all amendments. With charac-
'sristic heat and fury the Democrats denounced
The rule "tyrannical." brutal" etc, and with
calm assurance the Republican leaders defended
II as customary and in thorough accord with
me latest approved methods of the House Mr.
RICHARDSON tried TO make a point against the
republicans by reminding the House that the
ttecedents established by the Reed rules We're
ignored by the one reported by Mr.. Dalzen for
ms emergency, but Speaker Henderson broke
sne force Of this argument by proclaimiug
Fanky that the rule complained of was the
rS1aet counterpart of a rule adopted by the
controlled the House under Speaker Crisp Mr.
ncaardson at iast resorted TO the usual for
-Ilallty OF moving 10 recornmit the rule TO the
tommittee. and when the Speaker ruled this
~ of order, the Tennesseean appealed from
ne ne decision OF the Chair. The appeal on mo-
IN OF Mr. DalZel, was laid on the table by a
rtlct party vote. Following these defeats Mr.
--ehardson made his surprising flank move
shI with the result stated.
GRATIFICATION IN THE SENATE.
Although considerably surprised at the out
'he In the House. the Senate leaders almost
'hout exception expressed great qualification.
70 or the most influential majority members
- me Finance Committee, to which the bill viii
referred when IL reaches the Senate told
Hlespondent Of The Tribune that they be
go II would pass their body with no
- .,lon or delay than the measure encountered
- - me House. They said further, that the only
~ sI Ihonlent came from Senators both sides
Nie chamber who not members OF the
Continued on Page 4.