Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-09
IN THE HOUSE.
The Democratic Free List Bill Is Pass
ed, 236 to 1909 Votes.

Washington, May S.-Nine hours Of
continuous pounding by the Republi-
can minority in the House of Represen-
tatives failed to make a single change
in the first Democratic tariff bill, that
placing on the free list agricultural i'm
plements. meats and many other arti-
eles. The bill passed the House to-
night by a vote of 236 to 169 The Dem
occats voted solioly for the measure
and carried "A Republicans with them.
This occurred after the Democrats had
voted down or ruled out of order more
than 100 amendments and had demon
strated once again that the Democrat
ic majority is a compact and smoothly
working machine for legislation. Mi
nority Leader Mann injected amend =
ment after amendment ranging all the
way from rice to free lead and pig
iron. but those that were not ruled
cut of order were cheerfully voted
down by an almost solid Democratic
vote.
An effort by Mann to recommit the
bill 10 the committee on ways and
means was tabled by the House. The
Republicans who voted for the meas
ure We're Anderson. Davis, Lindhergh,
Miller NGlsted and Stevenson of
Mimi. I.enroot. Kopp Morse and Mel
son OF Wis; La Toilette and Warburn
of Wash; LafreX of Ore; Kemp of
Cal. Hubbard of Iowa. Morgan of
Okla; Norris of Neb.. and Roberts of
New.
The Republican fight to have the bill
amended began with an attempt to
make the free admission of merckan-
die &c apply only to imports from
countries which admitted American
products free. This was followed by
efforts 20 have Incorporated in the bill
provisions which would force other
countries To give up their discrimina-
tons against American meats, live
cattle and -four and To include proVi-
sions aimed at countries which I'M
pose restrictions on the exports Of
potash and pulpwood. All of these
amendments were nullified by Chair
man Alexander and Chairman Hay
the two presiding officers of the day,
as not permissible under the House
rules The Republican leaders roundly
denounced the Democrats for denying
freedom of debate and amendment.
EX-Speaker Cannon declared that
never in the history of the Congress
had the right of representation of the
floor Of the House been SO limited;
and the former Republican leader Mr..
Payne. asserted that the Democrats
would be diseredited before the eoun-
try for their arbitrary exercise OF
majority power.
After four or five hours the Republi-
can opposition took on the complexion
of = filibuster. In all the Republican
leader offered SO amendments.
The Democrats steadfastly refused to
cut off debate or lay themselves open
TO the charge of having passed the bin
under a gag rule. The nearest APP
proach was early tonight, when Tn
derwood began to limit the time given
to the debate of each section. The Re-
publicans made cutlery. but Democrats
shouted Stick to it" TO Underwood
and he was insistent.
Republicans declared the Democrats
were giving away American markets
and getting nothing in return. Hill.
Conn, insisted that the bill ought to
be amended so as TO Put lever
under other nations that are not deal
ing fairly with the United States"
but to none of these changes would the
Democrats accede. This does not
complete our tariff legislation, said
Underwood I'VE introduced this bill
to give the farmers cheaper agri-
cultural implements and the city
dwellers cheaper meats and bread. We
could not go beyond that without en-
dangering the revenues. We intend to
take up in proper order all tariff rates,
am to adjust all of them.