The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-09
FREE BILL PASSES.
First Democrat Tariff Measure Goes
Through the House.

WASHINGTON, May 9.-Nine hours OF
continuous pounding at the hanos Ct
the Republican minority of the mouse OIL
representatives failed to make chdnse
in the first Democratic tarlH Dill LUG
placing on the free list agricultural mi M
Elements, meats and many otner
articles The bill passed the house by
a vote of 236 to 100, the Democrats vol
ing solidly and mastering "A Repuph-
cans with them.
This came after the Democrats had
voted down or ruled out of order more
than 100 amendments and had demon
strated again that the Democratic ild-
jority was a compact and smoothiy
working machine for the enactment OIL
legislation. Minority Leader Mann
threw amendment after amendment
into the debate, ranging all the way
from free rice to free lead and pig
iron; but those that were not ruled OUT
of order were cheerfully voted down py
an almost solid Democratic vote.
An attempt by Mr.. Mann to recon-
NIT the bill to the committee on ways
and means was tabled by the house.
The Republicans who voted for the
measure were Representatives Ander-
son, Davis, Lindbergh, Miller, Volstead,
and Stevenson (Minn); Anthony,
Madison, Murdoch (Kan.); Hanna and
Helgeson IN. Do; Lenroot, Kopp,
Morse, Nelson CWis.); LaFollette and
WarDuTCOH wv dSl.I, AdiICA ~ NOAO-(>
Kemp (Cal); Hubbard Qa); Morgan
(Okla.); Norris (Neb), and Roberts
(Nev).
The Republican effort to amend be-
gan with an attempt to make the free
admission of merchandise apply only
to imports from countries that in turn
admitted American products free. This
was followed by efforts to have in
corporated provisions that would force
other countries to give up their dis
ordinations against American meats,
live cattle and flour; and to include
provisions aimed at countries that i'm
pose restrictions on the export of pot
ash and pulp wood.
All Amendments Thrown Out.
All of these amendments were thrown
out by Chairman Alexander and Chair
man Hay, the two presiding officers of
the day, as not permissible under the
house rules. The progress of the bill
demonstrated the efficacy of the new
Democratic rules, one of which care
fully restricts all amendments to reve-
nue. measures to those germane to the
particular item under consideration.
The Republican leaders roundly de-
noUnced the Democrats for denying
freedom of debate and amendments.
Former Speaker Cannon said that never
in the history of congress had the right
of representation on the floor of the
house been so limited; and former Re-
publican Leader Payne asserted the
Democrats would be discredited before
the country for their arbitrary ex
ercise of a majority power
After four or five hours the Repuo-
lican fight took on the complexion of 4
filibuster. Once. denied a vote by the
chairman, Mr.. Mann intimated the bill
would not pass in a hurry. Following
that, Republicans repeatedly demanded
rising votes: but in the end Mr.. Manu-
made no attempt to delay the final vote
on the amendments.
The Democrats steadfastly refused tc
cut off debate or lay themselves open
to the charges of having passed the
bill under a gag rule. The nearest ap-
proach was when Mr.. Underwood be-
gan to limit the time given to the de-
bate of each section. the Republicans
raised a cry but Democrats shouted
stick to it, 20 Mr.. Underwood
Mr. Mann said the Democrats had
not put either rice or rice flour on the
free list because they were products of
southern states. Democratic Leader