The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-10-14

representatives but senate propose or concur
with amendments in other bills. Congressman Nc
Cali of Massachusetts, Inc article in the Atlantic
Monthly discusses this provision and sets over against
action of the certain He reaches
the conclusion that the has, in at least two in
stances usurped the power the house in violation OF
the spirit the letter, OF the constitution One OF
these 1872 and the other the internal
revenue of 1901 In the former the house had
passed bill repeal the duties tea and coffee The
added to it general revision of the tariff, al
though General Garfield declared that the senate had
usurped right of the house which could pot be invaded
without inficng wound upon the integrity Of our whole
system government In the other instance the house
had sent to the senate bill to repeal the stamp taxes
bank checks and other legal instruments
The senate struck all after the enacng clause and
substituted bill reducing the beer and to-
bacco, and dealing with the whole system OF internal
revenue.
more glazing instance than either of the
ferred to by Mr.. Mccall in the legislation of
1888 The Republicans had been years declaring
their intention revise the tariff by its friends, and
they had passed bill for the appointment of commits
sion for this purpose consisted of the high priests Of
protection-John l. Hayes Henry W. Oliver, Jr Robert
Porter ct al It had made report strongly asserting
the need Of amendment by reduction of duties and had
presented bill to carry out its views No had
congress assembled in December however than the pro-
tected classes swooped down upon Washington. The
house much confused by their tactics that it de-
cded to do nothing about the tariff, but merely make
reductions in internal taxation.
The country however had the matter seri-
ousy than the politicians had supposed The doings of
the tariff commission had reported and commended
in the newspapers In the sixty days after the
beginning of the session became apparent to the Rep
publican senators that congress should adjourn without
passing tariff bill of kind the party would be
beaten in the election. There no time lose
So they took the house bill to reduce internal
added complete tariff law to it (the tariff of 1889 and
sent it back the house. There the immedi
aey made the point that the had encroched upon
prerogatve of the house The house Republicans Lad
in the meantime taken the alarm and become convinced
that political destruction they did not
bill They did not dare, however to risk general
debate their ridiculous attitude toward tariff
question and the tariff commission Accordingly they
threw the whole bill into conference to be dealt with be-
hind closed doors. Thus not only and
pete tariff bill passed which did originate in the
house but which considered at all the
house by items but only in a lump.
One of the questions raised by Mr.. McCas article
this: WAS the action on the tariff bill of
1883 act of usurpaon? Did it infringe upon pre-
rogatve of the house?" Most people will say that since
the house three occasions had the issue presented
it, and acquiesced without murmur in what the senate
did, the case is closed Congressman Mccall indeed adj
mlts that no absolute rule be laid down how fa
the constitutional right of the senate
bills be pushed into right alter them
ignition But he is unquestionaby in maintain
ing that the house if it chooses exclusive
troll of legislation defy senate 1t can do
so by refusing to concur in senate amendments Rather
than allow great appropriation bill be raded by a
piratical senator the final hours of the last
congress, it stand out and force extra session
Then should find which branch of congress really
had popular support
On the main question Of taking steps to prevent the
general legislative of the from becoming
too swollen Mr. Mccall argues much force that
remedy lies at hand in the vigorous assertion by the
house of its own privileges Speakertobe Cannon has
expressed hope that such stand may soon be made
We shall if the house enough of its ancient
virtue and to attempt it. is certain that as
long the house shrnks indicating its own pre
negatives it will be in vain for demand constit1-
tonal amendment other device to limit senatorial ar
rogance