The Washington times., 1902-02-18

cratic leader in the House, sprang sur
prise on the Republican members OF that
body yesterday. which resulted in the I'M
mediate passage of the bill repeating the
war revenue taxes by unanimous vote
without a single word of discussion upon
the measure.
By that action. without statement ut
tered on either side of the chamber either
for or against the proposition, a bill was
rushed through curtailing the income of
the National Government by upwards OF
s77000 0c0 year. BY the same token
both Republicans and Democrats were de-
prived OF an opportunity to make cam
paign material in the shape of speeches
which they had intended to deliver while
the repeal bill was under general debate.
Rule Reported.
When the House convened Mr.. Dalzell
tRep.. Pa), of the Committee on Rules,
reported resolution governing the con-
sideratior OF the war revenue repeal bill
1t provided that the measure should be
debated in Committee CT the Whole yes
terday and until O'Clock today. when
vote should be taken on the passage cI
the bill as reported by the committee
without debate Or intervening motion. 1t
proposed that no amendment, except such
as might be offered by the Ways ant
Means Committee. should he in order. and
q that a motion to recommit should not be
in order.
Mr.. Dalzeil briefly explained the pur
pose Of the rule TO be to pass the repeal
bin as soon as possible.
Mr.. Underwood Dem, Ala.) of the Com
mittce on Rules. opposed the rule and
the intention to shut off amendment.
MIR. Cnnncn's Defence.
Mr.. Cannon made strong and charac
teristic defence OF the rule. declaring that
the Republican majority when the revenue
was made had passed the bill and now
chat it was no longer necessary they pro-
posed to repeal it.
Dir. Richardson ridiculed the Repub-
licaRs for net daring to permit amend
ments 10 be offered to the measure when
they had majority of forty in the House.
He said there were many Republicans
who were restiye under the demand for
tarin revision. Mr.. Cannon's excuse. he
declared, for supporting the rule was a
lame one. and one that he could not ex-
plain to his constituents.
Mr.. Dalzell closed the discussion for the
Republicans. citing a precedent where the
Democrats had swallowed several hun
dred amendments to the Wilson bill after
but two hours debate.
Mr.. Richardson moved 10 recommit tha
resolution to the Committee on Rules. but
the Chair ruled that the motion was not
in order. Mr.. Richardson appealed, and
Mr.. DaiZell moved to lay th;. appeal on
the table, which vas carried by a yea
and nay vote. The resolution was then
adopted by strict party vote
Mr.. Ricbardson's Surprise.
Mr.. Richardson then sprang mis- sur
prise He rose 10 ask unanimous consent
for the immediate passage of the bill. He
said as the rule permitted OF no amend
ments debate of two days would be
fruitless, and as there was no opposition
to the repeal he thought the measure
should be put Immediately upon its final
passage.
The Republican leaders were for mo-
ment dumfounded, and their looks
ilelr aStOnlShment.
The Speaker put the request in the usual
way, and there was no objection
rs there objection?' said the Speaker.
Then after momentary pause. he added.
The Chair hears none"
Then applause burst forth on both sides
of the chamber.
The Republicans realized that their on
ponents had played trick on them. hut
they could not afford to protest.
Campaign Speeches Blocked.
The speeches prepared for delivery for
campaign purposes will have to get into
the Record" under the leave to print.
At the sacrifice of some speech making
on his own side, Mr.. Richa rdson's puT-
pose was TO show how certain legislation
can be rushed through the House without
consideration and opportunity for amend
ment.
Chairman Payne Of the Ways ana Means
Committee demanded q yea and nay vote
cn the bill and the result was, yeas, z78;
nays. 0. The result was greeted with ap-
plause.
When the bill is reported to the Sen
ate, which viii probably be today, IL viii
be referred to the Committee on Finance,
who viii consider it as soon the WORK
already begun OF making a scientific es-
iituale OF lHe pTGbHDle amount OF the sur
plus at the end Of the present fiscal year
is completed.
II that estimate shows that the Govern
ment Will have enough money On hand for
ITS legitimate expenses, the House bill
viii be cOncurred In.
Representative Senators' Views.
1t is the desire Of nearly ell of the
leading Republicans in the Senate to cut
of the war taxes il it can be safely done
although Senators Hanna, EIkins. and one
or two others doubt the wisdom of the
plan.
Mr.. Elkins, indeed. thinks that none of
the war taxes should be removed. but
that the surplus should L2 maintained. SO
that legislative appropriations can be
made without stint
Senator Hanna thinks there sEoult be a
reduction, but regards il as bad policy
10 cut oil S77. coo 600 and thus practically
wipe out the surplus. He thinks it would
be better, for instance to let the beer
tax stand and use the money for some one
of the many plans that have been urged
upon Congress by the Republican party.
Mr.. Hanna evidently fears that IL there
is big reduction In the revenue Congress
will be less apt TO pass the ship subsidy
bill AS q matter of fact. however, the
most influential men in the Senate think
that some sort OF a subsidy bin win be
passed at this session, and that there will