New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-12
WASHINGTON.
PROGRESS OF LEGISLATION.

n,sp.TcUNG BUSINESS RAPIDLY, AND PERHAPS
TOO HAsTuY-QUICK WORK ON APPROPRIATION
BIrIs-THE SPEAKER LOSES HIS TEMPERATE DE-
FIcENCY BILL-BRGHTER PROSPECTS FOR AN
EARLY ADJOURNMENT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO rE TnrBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, May 1.-The proceedings of the
caucus Of the Republican Senators to-day -'~-~''
healthy determination on the part OF the upper
branch of Congress to go to work The order OF DUST
ness was discussed at length, and the relative
importance Of measures considered. The ques-
ton of adjournment was also debated, ana
il was the prevalent opinion that, 10y
industry and the concentration OF Woik
on business that must be done, avoiding discussion
on minor questions, adjournment may be reached by
the last of June IL was decided 10 consider, first
the bill for the distribution of the Geneva award
following with the Finance and the Civil Rights
bills These are TO give place if thought desirable
10 the Appropriation bills, as they como from the
House. committee of five Senators was appointed
10 confer with the House Committees on Ways and
Means and Appropriations on the subject OF the
business before the two houses and particularly on
the subject of adjournment 1t is the disposition OF
Senators to fix as early possible on day Tor adj
iournmcnt. and then to work up TO 1t.
The House today was in admirable working order,
and accomplished more than it has done In any
previous week since the session began. The general
feeling is that 1t did too much, and that 1t gives
promise Of going to the other extreme, which is
more dangerous than the deliberate manner of its
proceedings hitherto. Many of the very worst meas
ures of Congress to be attributed to the hasty
manner in which they were acted upon by Congress
while ii has rarely occurred that really good meas
urc has been lost by deliberate discussion.
As an indication of the manner in which business
was thrust through the House to-day, it is only
necessary TO say that the River and HarbOr Appro-
priation BILL involving the expenditure OF Si5OOO9
came from the committeeman, and without any
previous information the part of members as to
what it contained was rushed through the House in
half an hours time. Not speech was made upon
IT not an amendment was proposed not an eXplGna-
nation was yOuchsafed; it was not considered in
Committee of the Whole; it was not adopted sec
ton by section, but was whired through almost
before anybody knew that il was up for consd-
Grafton. IT had been pretty adrOitly managed
20 secure the favor of the vanOus sections of the
country. for bone was thrown here and there, and
Southern and Western members were prOpitiated by
having some slight portion of the money expended
OF promised III their districts. The vote its pas
sage was more than two-thirds-l67 to IS. Mr. Ran
dali after its passage, and during the consideration
OF another bll charged that OnethiTd of the money
OF over $l,5O0,0OO, was to be expended in three
States, namely Wisconsin, Michigan, and New
priation and Commerce had not acted fairly in the
distribution Of the named.
The Appropriation Committee, aided by Mr..
Wheeler had made such bit with the River and
Harbor bill that il essayed another of the appro-
pristfon bHi- the West Point. ana that was passed
III even a shorter time than the other, and In the
ZANE manner 1t was not considered in committee,
and was only read once, passing by a two-thirds
vote. The sum appropriated is 1885,, $50. Mr.. Beck
,,u1a fault and bpp9mp Uuifa eX1SnCratcQ M
his fellow Democrats who voted with the majority
10 pass the bill without debate. He thought il was
unjust the sections of the country not included in
the improvements and mschievOus in its tendency.
He sCourged Mr.. Potter Of ew-YOTk with good
deal of eamestneSs, and during his remarks said
that he represented district which, although pay
ing moro taxes than several of the States of the
Union, had never had dollar of Government
money oxponled within its limits; and he hoped
there never would be such expenditure.
Previous to the passage Of the West Point
bill. a resolution, important in it's character
as indicating the temper Of the House, was
passed by very significant vote. The resolution
offered by Mr. Fort of Illinois, and in substance
declaration in favor OF the reGnactment Of the
income tax. 1t declared that If any increased taxa
ton shall be found necessary, the increased revenue
should be derived from taxing incomes of persons
and corporations. The vote on this 126 to GO.
son between the Speaker and Mr.. Potter, involving
the treatment nv the former of Mr.. Garfield. The
Chairman Of tho Appropriations Committee. piqued
az the failure of the Speaker to recognize him when
he sought the floor, moved 20 adjourn. Some
fusion followed and impatient words were uttered.
The Speaker, as unfortunately happens once in a
while, lost his temper and said. with feeling
than was appropriate in presiding officer that it
was not proper motion, and that it was not
offered 10 good faith. Mr. Garfield had little
TO say but Mr.. Potter took the Speaker to task
for saying that a motion to adjourn was
not proper motion and for presuminglto interpret
The motives of members. The motion to adjourn is
of the highest privileges. and the Speaker has
no more right TO say that it is not proper motion
than he has to adjourn the House without motion.
Both gentlemen got red in the face, but Mr. Potter
stood his ground monfully, and appeared to have
majority of the House with him. 1t is to be regret
ted that the Speaker is so impatient and quick to
anger and that the size of the House will not admit
Of more dehberatiOn on the part Of the presiding
officer.
Mr. Garfield after the West Point bill had been
disposed Of moved 10 take up the Deficiency Appro-
priation bill, and it was considered in Committee
during the rest Of the session and rapid progress
made. Should the Honse be in the same indus
trious mood tomorrow the bill may be passed 1t
appropriates S3,341,175 follows Under the De
partment of State, S5OyO72; under the Treasury
Department, S5SS422 under the War Department
Sefl 49O under the Interior Department, S14G5176;
under the Post-Offce Department, 500 ,604 : under
the Attorney Generals Department, 1915 400 for
the House Of Represent atives, Capitol Grounds and
Botanic Garden, SSO6l7; for the Reform School in
n 1. al OAg