Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1894 — FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

Senator Mills addressed the upper House, Tuesday, at length, in support of the pending tariff bill. He scored Mr. Hill for his inconsistent attitude, and earnestly urged an early vote, stating that the bill could be passed in forty-eight hours. For the sake of the business interests of the country he implored his colleagues to stand by the party and push the measure to its final and immediate passage. At 3:30 the Senate went into executive session because the Republicans, having expected that Mr. Mills would occupy the entire day. were not prepared to continue the tariff debate, and at 4:10 adjourned. In the House, Tuesday, on motion of Mr. Bynum, the Senate joint resolution authorizing the laying of a bronze tablet to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone of the capitol, was taken up and passed. An amendment to the postoflice anpropriation bill making all publications purporting to be issued periodically and to subscribers, but which are merely books or reprints of books, whether they be issued complete or in parts, bound or unbound. sold by subscription or otherwise, subject to posting at third-class rates when transmitted through the mails, was opposed by Mr. Quigg. The amendment affects seaside library publications and books (reprints) given as premiums with country newspapers, etc. The amendment on a vote was stricken from the bill—26 to 183—and the bill was then passed. Mr. Campbell entered a motion to reconsider tho vote by which the race bill was defeated. Monday. and ats o’clock the House adjourned. In the Senate, Wednesday, the tariff debate developed an altercation between Mr. Vest and Mr. Aldrich, in which tho latter charged that the tariff bill was being continually “doctored"in committee In order to secure the.full Democratic vote on final passage. This was denied by Mr. Vest, who said such statements were mere newspaper reports. Mr. Aldrich, however, insisted that his statements were true to his own personal knowledge, and reiterated that no one could predict what condition the bill wonld be in when it came to a vote. Mr. Stewart made a sll-

ver speech in the latter part of the day. and at 6 p. m. the Senate adjourned. The consular and diplomatic appropriation bill was considered in the House. Wednesday, and no proceeding#-beyond the dullest routine were conducted. Immediately after the reading of the Sen ate Jbu rn ursday ,Tfff.'TJarvK, the new Senator from North Carolina, was sworn in. Mr. Alien's Coxey resolution came up. Mr. Vest opposed its passage. He declared that the marchers to Washington would be protected in their rights, but must be held strictly accountable to the laws. Congress cou|d not for one’instant compromise with them. All persons were at liberty to cpme to Washington to inspect public buildings and visit Congress, but when they seized trains and continually, and persistently violated laws, Congress should not officially recognize the movement. Senator Wolcott followed in a similar strain. He said the men might be honest but the leaders were that in Colorado, which was probably the worst affected ot r any State in the Union by the financial depression, no man was suffering because he could not not find work. Continuing, Mr. Wolcott said: It is time that we had the courage to stand together against this socialism, populism and paternalism, which is running riot in this country, and which must end (if not crushed) in the destruction of the liberties which the laws give us, liberties which should be dearer to ns than life itself. A resolution providing that the Senate meet at 11 o’clock, was passed. The remainder of the day was?devoted to tariff debate. The question of “docked” salaries came up in the House, Thursday. Mr. Mahon offered a resolution that the sergeant-at-arms pay members their salaries without deduction, unless absence is certified to by a duly authorized officer of the House. The resolution was declared out of order. The House then went into committee of the whole and resumed the consideration of the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill. Debate proceeded during the afternoon in a desultory manner on small, unimportant amendments, none of which were adopted. When the bill was completed the committee rose. The bill, as passed, carries $1,513,728, a decrease of $46,706 as compared with the appropriations for the current year.J-At' 5 o’clock the House adjourned. When the Senate convened, Friday, Mr. Allen endeavored to call up his Coxey resolution but was ruled out of order. The tariff bill was taken up and Mr. Lindsay ’ spoke in its support, and was interrupted by Mr. Aldrich who said he would agree to vote on the Wilson bill as it came from the House, at 3 o’clock. Mr. Harf is was recognized and moved that consent bo givm to vote as proposed by Mr. Aldrich. Mr. Turpie in the chair asked if there were any objections. “I object,” said Mr. Cullom. (Democratic laughter.) Aftef some confusion Mr. Aldrich was recognized and made a speech in which ho proposed that the vote be deferred until some day next week. The new proposition was in the nature of a back down. A debate of the pending bill then followed. Mr. Cullom spoke in opposition for two hours and twenty minutes. Mr. Dolph delivered another installment of his speech, and gave notice that it he was not interrupted too much he would probably be able to finish by 3 p. m., Saturday. At 5 p. m. the Senate adjourned. Twenty-one private pension bills were passed by the House, Friday. At the night session an encounter between Talbert, of South Carolina, and Pickles, of South Dakota, occurred in which both gentlemen became violently excited. Mr. Pickles accused Talbert of slandering Union soldiers, and Talbert gave him the lie. Instantly a dozen members on the Republican side were on their feet, and Mr. Hepburn called Mr. Talbert to order and demanded that his words be taken down. They were read from the Clerk’s desk and after some wrangling, Mr. Talbert was given permission to explain. Mr. Talbert began his explanation by stating that he was sorry he was obliged to say what he had, but it was true. He would withdraw what he had said, however, if Mr. Pickier would withdraw his remarks. The tone of the South Carolinian’s explanation did not seem to suit Mr. Baker, of New Hampshire, who declared that the explanation was fully as offensive as the original language, and he again called Mr. Talbert to order. At this juncture there was an effort to pour oil on the troubled waters, and, on motion, Mr. Talbert was allowed to proceed. He had no further explanation to make, however, and took his seat. Mr; Pickier “returned to his mutton” and said that he had no explanations to make. At this point the counsel of cooler heads prevailed. The members were recalled to the bill before the House. The excitement subsided, and without further incident the House proceeded with and disposed of nine pension bills, flye of which were favorably acted upon. The point of no quorum was then made and. after a call of the roll, the House, at 10:30. adjourned.