The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-18
VAR-TAK Reduction
BILL PASSED House
Vote Unanimous and There
Was No Debate.
RESULT OF CHALLENGE
Rule Had Been Adopted by Party
Vote Prohibiting Amendment,
ACTION BITTERLY D DENOUNCED
ACTION BITTERLY DE DENOUNCED
Mr. Bail Declared Presensaton OF Rule Was
for Purpose Of Gagslng Two Republicans
and All Democrats in House-'Iron
Hand" TO Prevent Tariff Revls-
lon-Scnate Passed Perma-
nent census Bureau Bill.
(By Associated Press.)

(By Associated Press.)
| WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 1.-THE
unexpected happened in the House to-day,
when the bill to repeal tho war revenue
taxes was passed unanimously without a
word of debate. This action was the out
come of q, 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 con-
sideration of the bill, which permitted de-
bate upon it until 4 o'clock tomorrow af-
tcrnoon, but cut off all opportunity to Of
fer amendments, except such as had been
agreed upon by the Ways and Means
| Committee. The adoption Of the rule had
Keen preceded by stormy debate, in the
| course of which the Democrats protested
against the application Of the gag
" hich Mr.. Hay, of Virginia, charged was
meant to prevent a free expression, not
only by the Democrats, but by some of
| the Republicans, attention being especi-
ally directed toward Mr.. Babcock. of Wis
| consin, the father of the bill, to amend
the steel schedule of the present tariff
law. When the rule was adopted by a
| vote of 15S to 12O, Mr.. Richardson, to en-
phasize the fact that debate on the bill
could accomplish nothing, and that de-
| liberation upon it would be fruitless,
asked unanimous consent that the bill be
! placed upon its passage. Not an objec-
| tion was voiced and the vote was forth
with taken. Every vote, o7S in number,
was cast in the affirmative.
Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, from the
Committee on Rules, presented the special
| order agreed upon by that committee.
| Mr.. Da1zell explained the effect OF the
rule This measure, he said, was pre-
sented to redeem d pledge made when
the war revenue taxes were imposed that
when the necessity for them ceased they
would be repealed.
AT the conclusion Of his brief statement,
Mr. Dalzel yielded thirty minutes to Mr..
Underwood, of Alabama, also of the COM
nlittee on Rules.
PROTESTED AGAINST RULE.
The Alabama members protested
against the adoption of the rule, not, he
said, because it provided for the con-
sideration of a bill to reduce taxation, but
because it prevented individual members
from using their own judgment or carry
ing out the wishes of their constituents
| as to what portion OF the excessive taxes
should be repealed.
Mr. Ball, Of Texas denounced the rule
| as but another step in the parliamentary
evolution by which individualism in tn,
House was being crushed and few men
| were enthroned as autocrats to dominate
its will.
The reason for the presentation of the
rule, he declared was because it was nee
essary to gag two Republicans on the
floor and all the Democrats of the House.
He referred to the report in the newspa-
pers that the President had even become
| converted to the view that the "iron
hand" was necessary to prevent a whole
sale revision Of the tariff
Mr.. Babcock, Of Wisconsin, did not
consider it wise to jeopardize the passaga
of the repeal bill by complicating mat
ters, but gave notice that he would press
for the consideration Of his bill to amend
the steel schedule.
Mr. Hay Of Virginia. declared that the
ptnding rule would humiliate every mem
ber on the floor because it prevented the
| Offering of a sigle amendment to this
bill 1t was such a display Of cowardice
as had never before Eeen witnessed in
the House. Democratic applause)
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois argued ear
nestIy in favor Of the adoption of the
rule.
Mr. Richardson closed the debate for
the minority. In doing so he offered to
yield half his time to any one On the
Republican side who cared to oppose
the adoption Of the rule. He paused when
he had made the offer, but no Republic
can arose.
Mr.. Dalzen closed the debate on the
rule.
The previous question was then order
ed, but Mr.. Richardson offered motion
to recommit the rule with instructions
to report it back amended SO as to
open the bill for amendment under the
five-minute rule.
Mr.. Dalzell Immediately MADE the
point that the motion was dilatory.
Speaker Henderson and Mr.. Richardson
I had a sharp exchange over the point OF
order, which the Speaker sustained,
Mr.. Richardson appealed from the de-
cision Of the Chair, and Mr. Dalzelrs
motion to lay the appeal upon the table
was carried-165 to 123.
SPRANG A SURPRISE.
Upon the announcement of the vote
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader
sprang a surprise, which ended the whole.
proceeding and put the bill Immediately
upon its passage Rising in his seat, he
said:
.Alr Speaker, I rise to make a request
for unanimous consent 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 fruit
less under this rule, ask unanimous
consent that the bill be put upon its pas
sage now. applause on both sides)
'.Is there ohjection?'' asked the Speak
er. Not a sound was heard. The Chair
hears none,'' said the Speaker, as he
brought his gavef down with a whack.
Then spontaneously from both sides the
applause rang out
The bill was passed unanimously, 2iS
members voting stAye.
The announcement Of the result was
app1auded on both sides Of the House.
The House then adjourned.
Id tie Senate.
by Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, D. C,,. Feb. 17.-After
an extended debate the Senate to-day