favor of this resolution and many of us are not. I believe that a majority of this Chamber are opposed to that resolution. To come in here when we are unprepared, and not knowing that a resolution of this character, when it was laid upon the table two months ago, was to be sprung upon us, is not fair treatment of the men who favor American commerce. Therefore I think I am justified in making an earnest protest. MR. ROOT, it is true, made a very eloquent appeal against American interests at our dinner, and he made that appeal, gentlemen, when this matter was before the Chamber, and I question the right or the judgment of Senator Roor in having done so: To go to our banquet and prejudge a question which was before this Chamber, does not appeal to me. (Cries of "Order.") Order is one thing and justice is another.

(Continued cries of "question.")

MR. DOUGLAS.-If it is necessary that we should debate this question I would like to ask that we have a reasonable time to prepare. If we cannot wait until the next meeting of this Chamber let us have a special meeting, and then let us come here prepared, those who wish to talk in favor of the resolution and those who wish to talk against it, and let every man have a right to speak in the Chamber of Commerce, and not be practically excluded from having a voice in the statements and desires to further American interests. We can delay for ten days or a week from now, and then debate may be had and then we can pass on the resolution.

THE PRESIDENT.-I understand then that you move as an amendment, that the whole matter be taken up at a special meeting two weeks from to-day.

MR. DOUGLAS.-I will make that as a request. I would call attention to the fact that when the Chairman of this committee made his report, to day, he distinctly stated that he was agreeable to have it go over until the next meeting, and he then suddenly changed his mind and wanted it settled to-day.

THE PRESIDENT.-I will ask the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws whether it would be agreeable to have the matter go over for two weeks.

MR. RING.-We have a very large body here, and this matter is so thoroughly understood by the members present, that it seems to me no preparation will put them in a better position to discuss the question.

THE PRESIDENT.-Do I understand there is a motion made now to put the question?

MR. SELIGMAN.-I so move, sir.

(The motion was seconded.)

THE PRESIDENT.-Then of course we shall first have to vote on that motion whether the question shall now be put. That is not

debatable.

(The ayes and noes were called for.)

THE PRESIDENT.-The motion is carried.

Remarks are now not

in order, but the Chair will be glad to hear any suggestion MR. SCHIFF may make.

REMARKS OF JACOB H. SCHIFF, ESQ.

MR. SCHIFF.-Mr. Chairman, the majority of the Chamber of Commerce is in favor of passing this resolution, it seems to me. So am I. But I think there is something above might. We want to be fair. Two months ago, on my motion when we concluded to table both MR. NIXON'S resolution and the report of MR. RING'S Committee, we practically closed this discussion. It has now come up in another form. I heartily approve of this report, but it is not fair and it is not right that having voted down practically those who are in favor of legislation on the Panama Canal as it has passed, that we now turn around and pass this in another form. We want to be fair, and we do not want to crowd anything through here by might. I wish we could see a way to get around this without using any such might. I do not know whether a motion is proper, and I do not make a resolution to this effect, but I wish MR. RING'S Committee could change this proposition and simply bring in a resolution that we ask Congress to reconsider the legislation which it has passed. think that would not put the Chamber in a wrong position with what was done two months ago.

(The "question" was again called for.)

THE PRESIDENT.-At the present time the Chamber having called for the motion, it would be possible still to consider MR. DOUGLAS' request as an amendment to the motion and to vote upon that as an amendment. That is all we could do under parliamentary procedure. at the present time. We should have a perfect right I think still to vote upon MR. DOUGLAS' amendment as to whether or not we should delay the final vote for two weeks, if that can be considered as an amendment rather than a suggestion. If the Chamber is agreeable I will put that as an amendment. I am very desirous that we should not take any action without every consideration being given to those whose views do not accord with ours.

MR. SELIGMAN.-May I say a word here. I was not here when MR. SCHIFF and others spoke on the subject, but if I recollect correctly, one of the chief reasons for the very wise action taken then was the fact that this Chamber, did not care to run counter to the views of the President of the United States or throw any discredit upon his views. Since then, if I recollect correctly, the President has changed his attitude and favors arbitration. I think in view of that this Chamber can conscientiously go ahead with this action today.

THE PRESIDENT.-I have not, as you have observed, been adhering very strictly to parliamentary rules, because I have desired to have the whole subject considered from every standpoint. I did not want any one to feel that we were trying to put this thing through without giving every one notice. Now I think we should see what the sense of this Chamber is, whether they prefer to vote to-day or whether they prefer to vote a week hence.

A standing vote was then taken.

THE PRESIDENT.-Gentlemen, I announce that 114 are in favor of adjourning for one week and 115 are in favor of voting immediately. MR. COWPERTHWAIT.-I voted with the majority and I will move now for a reconsideration.

REMARKS OF CLARENCE W. BOWEN, ESQ.

MR. BOWEN.-I will second the motion that has just been made. The vote stood 114 to 115. I do not believe that we can afford to go out before the country, and let it be felt for a moment that we doubt what course the Chamber of Commerce should pursue on this question. A question is never settled until it is settled right. Now let us settle this question right and let us take a week if necessary before settling it. I am heartily in favor of the resolution introduced by the committee and shall vote for it, but I do not propose to change my vote during the next seven days. I am prepared to come here in seven days from now and vote for this resolution. Let us reconsider and wait for one week; and I think it is due to the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York that we should wait a week, as the President of this body has suggested, and then we will state our views, every one being prepared to vote as he believes. Then we will go before the country and state what the views are on this great question that the whole civilized world is interested in. [Applause.]

REMARKS OF WILLIAM MCCARROLL, ESQ.

MR. MCCARROLL.-There might be some inference drawn from this last vote, and I do not believe that all the gentlemen who voted

to postpone the discussion until next week are not in favor of the report. We desire to ascertain the sentiment of the Chamber of Commerce. It is also to be borne in mind that the majority have rights as well as the minority, and if the members of this Chamber desire an expression of the Chamber on some questions, they have a right to have it. And I say we should have an expression of the judgment of the Chamber upon this subject. A test vote will show what is the judgment of this Chamber. I do not believe for one that it will be evenly divided, but I believe a vast majority of this Chamber are in favor of the adoption of the report of the committee.

REMARKS OF CALVIN TOMKINS, ESQ.

MR. TOMKINS.-I voted for an immediate consideration, but I am opposed to it after this vote. I do not think it is practical. I think we are in danger of substituting for a question of national honor a mere dictum, and I think we should let it go over a week in view of this vote which is a mixed vote, and represents the desire of the majority to accede in fairness to the wishes of the minority. I think it is a mistake to mix this up, and I do not see how we can sensibly avoid adjourning for a week.

THE PRESIDENT.-It seems to me that the only fair thing to do would be to take the vote over again. We certainly do not want to have this matter acted upon now unless it is evident that the Chamber wishes it.

Another vote was then taken resulting in 166 votes in favor of postponement for one week, and 75 in favor of immediate considera

tion.

DISCRIMINATING DUTIES.

MR. RING, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws, presented the following report and moved its adoption :

To the Chamber of Commerce:

There has been introduced in Congress Bill H. R. 27,572, for the alleged purpose of restoring the foreign Merchant Marine.

The purport of the bill is to charge discriminating duties on all merchandise imported into the United States in vessels not flying the American flag, the extra duty to be one per cent. for the first year, and increasing each year until it is five per cent., at which it is to remain thereafter.

Your committee has given this bill careful consideration, and offers the following preambles and resolutions:

Whereas, A bill has been introduced in Congress, to impose discriminating duties on all merchandise imported in vessels, other than those of the United States; and

Whereas, The effect of such a law would be to lead to an increase in cost of all imported merchandise, which would have to be paid by the consumer; and

Whereas, The passage of said bill would, without doubt, lead to retaliatory measures by other countries; and

Whereas, The passage of said bill would necessitate the cancelling of very many of our foreign treaties; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York disapproves and is opposed to the passage of H. R. Bill 27,572, as being unwise, unfair to foreign countries, and detrimental to the consumers of foreign merchandise in the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws be authorized to represent the Chamber at any committee hearings on this bill and that copies of these resolutions be transmitted to Congress.

On motion of JAMES G. CANNON it was ordered that all business unacted upon to-day be deferred to the adjourned meeting to be held February 13th.

The Chamber then adjourned.