The Sauk Centre herald., 1902-02-20
DEBATE WAIVED
DEMOCRATS SPRING A SURPRISE
WHEN REVENUE REDUCTION
BILL COMES UP.
MEASURE PASSES AT ONCE

Minority Fought the Special Rule
Brought in but After Its Adoption
Mr.. Richardson Asked Unanimous
consent-for the Passage Of the Bill
and His Motion Went Through
Without a Negative Vote.
Washington, Feb. 18.-There was
large attendance upon the floor Of the
house and in the galleries in anticipa-
ton of the debate on the bill to repeal
the war revenue taxes. Just prior to
the assembling of the house the com.
mittee on rules met and agreed upon
the form of a special rule for the con-
sideration of the bill by the terms OF
which it would be brought to a vote
after two days debate.
After some minor business had been
cleared away Mr.. Dalzell (Pa.), from
the committee on rules, presented the
special order agreed upon by that
committee. Mr.. Dalzell explained the
effect of the rule. The measure, he
said, was presented to redeem a
pledge made when the war revenue
taxes were imposed that when the
necessity for them ceased they would
be repealed. This was measure on
which, he understood, there was prac-
tically unanimity of sentiment on both
sides of the house. 1t was simple
repeal measure and it was deemed
wise that it should be brought to
vote without complication on the ex-
traneous issues.
At the conclusion of this brief state
ment Mr.. Dalzell yielded 80 minutes
to Mr.. Underwood (Ala.), also OF the
committee on rules.
The Alabama member protested
against the adoption of the rule, not,
he said, because it provided for the
consideration of bill to reduce tax
alton, 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be repealed.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 tax which it was
not advisable to repeal he cited the in
heritance tax tax which, he said, was
levied on class that was not reached
by other taxation.
Mr.. Ball (Tex.) denounced the rule
as but another step in the parliament
ary evolutions by which individualism
in the house was being crushed and
few men were enthroned as autocrats
to dominate its will.
Mr.. Ball said 1t was reported in the
papers that the president had been
converted to the view that the iron
hand" was necessary to prevent
wholesale revision Of the tariff.
Mr.. Babcock (Wis.) said he did not
believe in complicating the repeal bill
with other tariff matters, but at the
first opportunity he would press his
measure to amend the steel schedule.
Calls II Display Of cowardiee.
Mr.. Hay (Va.) said the rule was
such a display of cowardice as had
never been seen in the house. The
bill would be debated and amended In
the senate. Mr.. Cannon (Ills.) argued
in favor of the adoption of the rule
in order THAT the war tax might be
repealed.
Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.) said there
were many Republicans who were
restive under the demand of their
constituents for a revision Of some of
the tariff schedules. Mr.. Babcock's
excuse, he said, was lame and he
could not 60 back to- his constituents
and explain. He lost his opportunity,
continued Mr.. Richardson, after vot-
ing for this rule.
Mr.. DaIzeIf, closing the debate; said
that in 1894 the Democrats of the
house, then in majority, under a rule
swallowed 649 amendments to the Will
son tariff bill after two hours debate.
Upon his demand the previous ques-
tion was ordered.
Mr.. Richardson made a motion to
recommit the rule. After rather a
sharp tilt between the speaker and Mr..
Richardson the speaker sustained
point of order against the motion.
Mr.. Richardson appealed from the de-
cisfOn and upon roll call the chair
was sustained, f65 to fz3.
The rule was adopted 15S to 40.
Thereupon Mr. Richardson, the mi
norfty leader, arose.
'T rise to make a request for unan-
imous consent" said he. "In view of
the fact that we are not permitted to
amend the pending bill and in view
of the fact that two days debate is
absolutely fruitless under this rule l
ask unanimous consent that the bill
be put upon its passage now" Zap
plause on both Sides
The speaker put the request. Mem
bers looked at each other with amaze
ment. Not q sound was heard.
There is no objection" announced
the speaker as he brought his gavel
down. The clerk win read the BILL"
Both sides Of the house joined in the
ringing applause that followed. The
clerk then began to read the bill.
The verbal committee amendments
to the bill were agreed to and the
yeas and nays were taken on its pas
sage.
The bill was then passed unanimous
", 278 members voting aye.
WITHOUT AMENDMENT.