Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-03-26
WORK OF CONGRESS.
Senate.

The Senate was not in session on the
18th.
The Senate was in session just eight min
utes on the 10Th. adjourning at 1908 p. m:
until Monday. The census bill was received
from the House and referred to committee,
and George I. Oliver of Pennsylvania was
sworn in as senator.
The organization of the Senate commit
tees was the chief business before that
body on the 22nd and, owing to the fact
that the detail work had been done by the
soon disposed of Many bills were intro
duced and referred to committees, notwith-
standing, it is understood, that in the pres
ent extra session no general legislation be-
yond the passage of the tariff and the CEN
sus bills will be undertaken. At L :05 p. m.
the Senate adjourned until Thursday.
The Senate was not in session on the ODD.
The Senate was not in session on the
oath.
House
4, The first piece of legislation to be acted
on by the House during the special session
was the bill providing for the taking of the
thirteenth census, which was passed. In its
present form the measure gives to the civil
service commission jurisdiction over ap-
pointments and provides for the printing Of
the reports by the government printing Of
flee. AS enacted at the last session, the
bill stripped the civil service commission of
such authority, and there was provision
allowing some of the printing to be done
by private firms, because of which Presl-
dent Roosevelt vetoed it. A further amend
ment was made whereby appoin tmentS are
to be appOrtioned pro rata among the states.
The tariff bill was officially reported to the
House from the committee on ways and
means and is now ready for considerations
AT $50 p. IN. the House adjourned.
For four AMI a half hours the House of
Representatives OH the 10Th liste ned to the
reading of the tariff bill, which was con-
GUIDED. 1t was the only business transact
ed. 1t was perhaps the dreariest legislative
session of any held by that body in recent
years. Some OF the members early in the
reading took to the cloakrooms and lobby
back of the speakers desk, while others
left the building Tor the day. Mr. Sims of
Tennessee injected a breath of life into the
proceedings. He wanted the reading of the
bill dispersed with as a Trace, but objection
was made. Then he asked unanimous con-
sent that the bill be put on its passage, say
ing It was evident no opportunity would be
afforded to amend the measure in the
House. To this suggestion, however, Mr..
Mann OF Illinois objected. The House at
.4:55 p. m. adjourned until Monday noon.
The tariff bill held full sway in the House
'on the 22nd; The measure was promptly
put before the body Immediately after con
.vening, and in anticipation of the opening
of the debate there was practically a full
attendance of members and crowded CALLER
iies Mr.. Payne of New York. chairman of
the committee on ways and means, made an
exhaustive speech in explanation of the bill,
the time he was actually on his feet being
four hours and ten minutes. Then, some
what fatigued. he suspended until Tuesday.
He was subjected to a croSS-tire of ques-
lions, all of which he endavored to answer.
Mr.. Payne. in speaking of the maximum
and minimum features of the bill predicted
that France, Germany and other European
countries would hasten so to equalize their
duties on American products that they
would derive the benefit of the minimum
rates offered. At 4:19 p. m. the House adj
jOurned until II a. IN. tomorrow, which Will.
until otherwise ordered, be the daily hour OF
meeting.
Occupying the entire session of the House
on the Odd, Mr.. Payne of New York, chair
of the committee on WAYS ana means,
concluded his speech in explanation of the
tariff bill. He was on his feet almost all
of the five hours and ten minutes that he
had the floor. His arguments covered a
wide field. He took the position that the
bill would not iniure the tin plate or steel
file industries of the United States and
that free hides would not be Il menace to
the farmers. He discussed the inheritance
tax at great length, and said it was pref
not give rise to perjury or fraud. He held
to the view also that an income tax was
wholly unconstitutional. The minority
leader. Mr.. Clark of Missouri. followed. and
had proceeded but minute or two when,
at the suggestion of Mr.. Payne, he sus-
pended and the House at 4:2o p. 10. adj
journed.
Declaring among other things that Il mis-,
take was made in the Payne tariff bill in
not arranging the revision on the basis of
raising revenue only on every item Mr..
Clark of Missouri. minority leader. on the
oath held the attention of the House for
more than five hours in discussing the
measure lnciuenldllN- lie pOlnteu OuI ina
much time would have been saved in the
consideration of the bill had the Democratic
members of the committee been consulted
abcnJ the various provisions Of the pro
posed law. Mr.. Clark spoke in character
istic style and frequently moved the House
to applause and laughter. He was fol
lowed by Messrs. Washburn of Massa-
chusetts and Adamson of Georgia the for
mer attacking the inheritance tax pro
visions of the bill, while Mr.: Adamson, OPP
posed the erection Of Il tariff wall high
rs to prevent the people of the Unit d
States buying in all the markets Of the
word well as disposing of their surplus
products Adjourned at 5:13 p. N.