New-York tribune., 1902-02-18
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
HOW MR.. RICHARDSON SPRUNG A SUR
PRISE ON THE HOUSE.
Ry The Associated Press)

By The Associated PressD
Washington, Feb. I7.-There was large atten-
dance on the floor Of the House and in the galleries
to-day in anticipation OF the debate the bill to
repeal the revenue taxes. Just before the as
senbling Of the House the Committee Rules
met and agreed the form of a special rule for
the consideration Of the BILL by the terms Of which
It would be brought to a vote at o'clock to-mor-
row.
After some minor business had been cleared
away Mr.. Dalzeu, OF Pennsylvania, from the Com
rittee Rules, presented the special order agreed
on by that committee. Mr.. Dalzell explained the
effect OF the rule This measure, he said. PIE
sented TO redeem pledge made when the war
revenue taxes were imposed that when the neces
Etty for them ceased they would be repealed. This
was measure which. he took it, there
practical unaninitr Of sentiment on both sides of
the House. It simple repeal measure, and it
was deemed wise hat It should be brought 10
vote without complication on eXtraneous issues.
RECIPROCITY AMENDMENT OFFERED.
At the close Of this statement Mr.. DaIzell
yielded thirty minutes TO Mr. Underwood, of Ala
bama, also Of the Committee Rules. Mr.. I'm
derwood protested against the adoption of the rule,
not he said because II provided for the considera
ton OF bill to reduce taxation. but because it
prevented individual members from exercising their
own judgment carrying out the wishes of their
constituents TO what portion OF the excessive
taxes should be repealed AS instance of tax
which II was not advisable TO repeal he cited the
class that was not reached by other taxation. Mr.
Underwood said he did not think general tariff
vision should be made, because such revision,
whether good bad. would unsettle present condi-
tons, and might lead to disorder. He referred to
the stagnation in business which existed pending
the enactment of both the Wilson and Dingley
bills in support Of the statement. He thought the
proper method Of reducing duties at this time
should be through reciprocity agreements made in
pursuance Of Congressional enactment, and sent TO
the clerks desk and had read the following amend
ment:
That for the purpose Of readjusting the present
ouues on lnlpaartauon INTO the United states, SO
ernment, economically administered. and at the
o the = Of the the ststs. Is
thorized and empowers to negotiate trade con-
cessions are made, looking TO the expansion OF our
contracts before becoming operative. shall be sub
ittsd to the co9gress Of the United States for
Mr.. Ball. OF Texas denounced the rule as an
other step IN the parliamentary evolution by which
individualism in the House being crushed and
a few were enthroned as the autocrats TO
dominate its Will The for the presentation
of the rule, he declared, because It neces-
sary to gag two Republican members OF the Ways
and Means Committee a number OF the Repub-
ncans the floor and all the Democrats Of the
House He referred to the report in the news
papers that even the President had become con-
verted 10 the view that the Iron hand" was neces-
sary to prevent e wholesale revision OF the tariff
MR.. BABCoCKs ATTITUDE
At this point Mr. Babcock, Of Wisconsin. Of
the Republican members Of the Ways and Means
Committee, to whom Mr.. Ball had referred. read
a statement of his for favoring the edop-
ton of the rule. It the effect that, after
consultation, he and his colleagues did not
slider II wise to teopardize the passage OF the
peal bill by complcating matters. and he gave
notice that 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 humiiate every member on the floor,
because IT prevented the Offering of a single amend
1nept 10 this bill 1t such a display Of cow
ardice had never before been witnessed in the
House Democratic Rpplause) When the bill
to the Senate it would be debated and amend
ed, but by this rule the House would be deprived
OF it's rightful function. It would emphasize the
growing opinion OF the country that the House OF
Representatives simply a machine to register
the DEGREES Of a few men. When the popular
branch Of every legislative assembly In Europe
was receiving more power he said. this House
being bound and gagged. The debate to be
accorded under the rule, he declared, would be a
Farce, because It could accomplish nothing.
Mr.. Cannon, OF Illinois. argued earnestly In favor
3f the adoption of the rule. Even if other revenue
reduction advisable. it should not stand, he
said, In the way OF the repeal of taxes gathered
in the treasury from the people. there con-
stitute prize upon exploitation. Let u.s." he
said in conclusion. addressing his side OF the
House. take the responsibility for the repeal Of
these taxes. took the responsibility for their
imposition" Republican applause)
Nj. Richardson closed the debate for the minority.
In doing he offered to yield half his time TO
any one on the Republican side who cared TO op-
pose the adoption of the rule. He paused when he
had made the offer. but no Republicans arose.
Smiling faces looked over al him from across the
aisle. NO gentleman that side is opposed to
this rule, he said, sercasticaly. with your ma
5ority OF forty IL VIII be very easy them adopt
IL; but is II not strange that with such majority
such rule should be necessary He insisted that
there were members the other side who were
restive under the demand Of their constituents for
revision OF some Of the tariff schedules and that
they would have hard work explaining their action
me gentleman from Wisconsin (Alr. Babcock). he
declared could not go back his constituents with
the lame excuse he had offered the floor. This
IS MS last opportunity said he, land the gentle
man knows II. There Will be other opportunity
70 give his people relief and II he tries explain
his course, let Of his constituents ask him yhy
ne voted for this rule" In conclusion Mr.. Richard
son said that those his side favored the repeal
oI the war taxes in fact II they had had their way
they would have been repealed long ago.
MR. DALzELL ANSWERS DEMOCRATS
Mr Dalzen closed the debate on the rule In
view Of the solictude Of the gentleman from vir-
gina eAr. Hay) and the gentleman from Texas