New Ulm review., 1913-05-07
Washington Letter

WOOD Cafln Dill 0aO nn8lly re8CHeS
section 80 of tn. chemical schedul,
relating to "ethers." Congressman
James Manahan, member at larg'
from Minnesota arose and addressed
the chair.
Mr.. Manahan: Mr.. Chairman, il
has occurred to me that this para
graph relating to "ether" suggests 8
proper amendment at this time. W.
ought to have "ether" free and cheap
so as to peacefully and painlessly put
to sleep the men who persist in oc'
cupying the time of this body by
fighting old and ancient battles over
again. (Laughter.)
"The old and ancient battles" had
reference to the stormy close of q
Congress, March 4, 19l1, when the
{ tariff commission bill, already passed
the House, failed Of passage in the
House at the last moment. The tar
iff debate was enlivened the other day
by revival of the charge of con-
spiracy among standpatters to de-
feat the tariff commission bill. This
is the way the story was retold on
the floor of the House two years at
ter the actual occurrence:
Mr.. Murdock: Mr.. Chairman, what
is the truth about the tariff commits
sion action on the morning of the 4th
of March, 1911? The exact truth is
that the men who were standing
sponsor for it on the republican side
were making a pretense, and Mr..
Fitzgerald, leading the fight on the
Democratic side, was openly against
it. That tariff-con,mission bill went
from this House to the Senate on
January II. It was held back in the
Senate until the morning of March
Attn Now listen. Finally the resosu-
ton came to a vote. The yeas and
nays were ordered and taken. AS
the gentlemen knows, we call the roll
here twice. For the only time prob
ably in the history of the American
Congress when the roll had been call
ed for the first time this happened.
Mr.. Tawney of Minnesota, member
of the machine, came in here with
the conference report on the general
deficiency bill, rose to his feet, got
the recognition Of the Speaker, Mr..
Cannon, and on a motion to concur in
the Senate amendments on the gen
eral deficiency bill another roll call
was ordered.
Mr.. Cooper of Wisconsin continued
the thread of the story of the alleged
conspiracy:
Mr.. Cooper: The yeas and nays
were called for OF Mr.. Tawneys mo-
ton. Thereupon ensued very re-
markable scene. Never has the House
witnessed greater Indignation upon
both sides of the chamber than was
displayed here when members saw
that the Speaker was about to permit
a violation of the rules of the House.
And he did permit it. The roll call
then in progress was interrupted and
a new roll call begun and taken on
the conference report. When this new
roll call had been completed the
House then resumed the roll call on
the bill which contained the provision
for a tariff commission (but which
failed of passage owing to the late
hour). | make no accusation, but if
asked the question which has been
put here | will answer it.
Mr.. Murdock: Does the gentleman
believe that the Republican leaders
were for tariff commission?
Mr.. Cooper: l believe that two or
three who had it in their power to do
it deliberately entered into an agree
ment which prevented the considera
ton of that bill. (Applause.)
The "crime of 1912 having been
thoroughly aired, the House forth
with proceeds to the further consid
Grafton of the chemical schedule.
About this time Mr.. Stanley of Ken
lucky (Democratic) and Mr.. Mondell
Of Wyoming (Republican) get into an
interesting argument, fairly bristling
with humor and satire. 1t is great
fun for the galleries, but it is of no
special benefit to the chemical sched-
ule under discussion. Mr.. Stanley had
just been sounding the praises Of the
farmer, and the dweller in the small
towns. But let both of these worth
les speak up and make public their
contributions to the tariff discussion.
Mr.. Stanley Tin hoarse voice..
We are told that the Ways and
Means Committee is incompetent, be-
cause we come from towns no larger
that those in which Washington and
jefferson, Madison and Monroe once
found an abode. (Applause on the
Democratic side). We are told that
you must go to the great marts
where your Harrimans, your Fricks,
and your Morgans and the other pa
tron saints of Republicanism hold
absolute dominion and implore those
high gods the privilege to write the
laws of the land. More applause on
the Democratic side). l am from the
small town; yea, verify, and | glory
~f
uneasines and anxiety to speak) l
am the representative of rural pop
uIation, and I thank God for it.. 1t is
natural that they who believe the
farmer, the small merchant, should