The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-21
KING COTTON'S VICTORY
PROVISIONS F0a GINNtRS' STATISTICS
ADOPTED BY THE SENATE
DEMOCRATIC COUP IN HOUSE

UEmUUhAIl UUUF In HUUSt
after Passage OF the Gag Rule for
h Permanent Pension Bureau Bill
Mr. Richardson, to the Great Sur
prise of the Republicans Moves I'M
mediate Passage of the BiIl-No OBJ
lection I'm Made and the Bill Passes
without u Dissenting ~vote-Some
s~prightIy Debates in Both Houses
washington, February 17.-After an
extended debate the senate today pass
ed the bill establishing a permanent
census office. The discussion related
principally to the collection and publ
cation by the director of the census
office statistics respecting the produc-
ton Of cotton. Senator Allison vigor-
ously opposed the provision, but it was
inserted in the bill.
Several other bills of Importance on
the calendar were passed, among them
one extending the charters OF nation
n banks.
When consideration was resumed Of
the permanent census bill, the pendin:
amendment was that offered by Senatog
Tillman, providing that the director Of
the census should issue monthly bll.e-
tins from October 1st. each year unit
and including March 1st, on the pro-
duction of cotton as reported by the
ginners.
Senator Allison opposed the amend
ment principally because information
concerning the cotton crop now WY
furnished by the secretary Of agr.cul-
ture. He described in detail the metn-
DDS pursued by the agricultural depart
ment In obtaining information co-cern-
Ing the production Of cotton. He poilt-
ed out that returns were now being
made to the agricultural department
from every ginner in the cotton belt
and he ventured the opinion that the re-
turns were as accurate as could be OBJ
tanned by human agencies.
Senator Clay interrupted to say that
he had no idea that one half of the
ginners OF cotton made reports to the
agricultural department.
Senator Culberson said that in No
yember last the agricultural department
Issued an estimate of the cotton pro-
duction of such a nature that the price
of cotton rose Immediately 81 a bale.
He thought that indicated a lack of &C
curate Information previous to that
time.
Senator Allison replied that the re-
ports issued by private concerns had
estimated the cotton crop last ear as
much greater than it proved to be.
Those reports had tended to keep prices
down. He pointed out, however. that
the agricultural department was first 70
give to the public accurate Information
concerning the production.
Senator Allison maintained that IL the
producers of cotton had depended upon
the figures of the crop furnished by tn
agricultural department they would not
have been led into disposing of their
cotton for lower figure than it actually
was worth.
Senator Bacon interrupted to inquire
of Senator Allison whether he was seek
ing by his argument to saw the mount
of the expenditure involved by the
amendment or whether he desired 70
postpone action upon the census bill.
1.-The suggestion in the latter part nf
the senator's question" replied Senator
Allison. with evident annoyance, Il Will
say is unkind."
Senator Bacon interrupted to say that
his question was intended only as a bit
of pleasantly"
That is not a matter of pleasantly"
retorted Senator Allison. THE suEges-
ton of the senator that I am trying to
postpone the passage Of this bill is
gratuitous."
Senator Bacon disclaimed any inten-
ton to reflect upon Senator Allison's
motives. thus ending the incident.
Later. Senator Bacon inquired of Sem
ator Allison whether he, representing a
corn state. realized more fully the i'm
portance Of the proposed amendment to
the cotton producers than all the sena-
tors from the cotton states.
Senator Allison replied hat he might
be regarded as in the position or the
juryman opposed to his eleven ascot
ates, but that he would be satisfied,
whatever the result might be.
Senator Money proposed an amend
ment to the amount, so that the hul-
letins should be issued weekly. begin
ming September 1st Of each year. and
extending to n including February
lst.
The amendment to the amendment
was agreed to and the amendment as
amended then was adopted without ci-
vision.
Senator Allison moved that the para
graph authorizing the director of the
census to collect cotton statistics oe
stricken out. but the motion was lost.
The bill was then passed n the
senate shortly after adjourned.
House of Representatives.
Inc uHeApeC Gu hoPp~Hco
today when The bill to repeal the war
revenue taxes was passed mousiy,
without a word of ebate. This action
was the outcome of a challenge thrown
down by Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee.
the minority leader. after the adoption
by a strict party vote Of a special order
for the consideration Of the bill when
permitted debate upon it until 4ociock
tomorrow afternoon, but cut off all On
p~ortunity to offer amendments. eXcept
such as had been agreed upon DIV the
ways ana means committee.
The adoption of the rule had been
preceded by a stormy debate, !
course of which the democra
tested against the application q sne
gag" which Mr.. Hay. Of Virginia.
charged was meant to prevent a free
expression. not only by the democrats
h,+ NV some of the republicans. at
nN. il-sS.sl .a-.aEi