New-York tribune., 1874-05-08
THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.


rup pUI APPROPRIATING THREE MILLIONS hls-
JFCTrD IN TIE HOUsE-A RECoNsiDERAIloN
sFCURED-ABLE SPEECH or GEN. HAwLEf IN
FAVOR OF THE Observation-Disclosures THAT
. SMALLER APPROPRIATION WILL BE MADE.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON May 7.-While no direct vote was
taken to-day on the passage OF the three Iuliiioh
Centennial blll a vote which in its character was
nevertheless test revealed the fact that the Dill
has fewer friends in the House than was supposed
When the House adjourned last night the
general opinion was that the vote would be close
one and PhladelphiaQs vent so Tar as TO claim
amaiority for the bill When, therefore, op the
rroncs;tion to-day, shall the bill be e1grossed aid
read third time 7" the vote by Yeas and Nays stood
o. 70 19S there was n general murmur of surprise.
Nobody supposed that majority OF 40 was posslOe'
hut after the vote was announced the Pennsylvania
members went to work with will, and all that
personal solicitation could accomplish in so short
time was done. The effect showed itself IN suDse-
Quent votes. as will be seen.
1t is difficult for the Pennsylvanians to account
for the large vote against them. The House had
been thoroughly canvassed, and noses had peen
coupted with great pcrsistency. The speeches to-
day were of a moro favorable character, and the
Iouse seemed TO be in generous mood. The West
and South were largely against the blll, and the
speeches which placed the objections to the bill at
this time on purely financial grounds, seemed to
have had their effect. The bill was beaten
because il was thought that the Treasury
could not in it's present condition. stand the large
expenditure. Mr.. Dawes drew the picture very
well in his speech, showing that the country is al
ready behind in its obligations, and is spending
more money than it is receiving the amount Of de-
hcien2y being as stated by him, S29,OOO0O0 He
thought we ought not TO pay for costly shows when
there were already bills before his Committee pro-
posing to relay the duty on tea and coffee.
There were several good speeches to-day on both
sides of the question. Mr. Hawey Of Connecticut in
very able and brilliant argument of nearly two
hours length closed the debate. Viewed from his
side of the question, the speech was one of extra
ordinary power and all unite in speaking of it. in
substance and delivery, as one of the most fOrcible
and convincing speeches heard in the Capitol for
many wears Mr. Hawley's earnest manner, which
sometimes led him TO burst into fierce asser-
ton of his facts, added much to the
effect Of Lis speech, and while he showed
at times more excitement than was becoming, there
were none who doubted his sincerity. Besides he
was thoroughly familiar with his subject having
spent years in its study, and he believed In the
Centennial. The House was unusually full, and the
galleries showed very large attendance of specta-
tors. No speaker was ever more closely followed or
commanded more respect, yet with all his arguments
and eloquonce he did not win the votes. The Penn
sylyauia members did more in half an hour, by
personal importuuiy than all the favorable speeches
since the discussion began. the second vote showed
with what sagacity they worked. Itwasthe purpose
of the enemies of the bill to kin it outright, and
not allow il TO come up again. 1t was therefore pro-
posed 10 Law the motion 10 reconsider on the table
The Yeas were III and the Nays were 12O and the
House gave this victory TO the Centennial. A mo-
ton 10 reconsider then made, with this result:
Yeas III; Nays, 1l2 Hale Of Maine, a persistent
enemy Of the bill then moved to lay the bill itself
on the table. Pending this, the House Adjourned
Thefreuds of the bill are by no means disheartened,
and they yet assume to believe the bill will pass 1t
comes up for vote the first thing tomorrow. 1t is
probable that it viii be recommitted to the Com
mittee proposition TO send it to the Appropria-
tion Committee was lost. A number of members
who voted against the pending bill have said that
they would vote for million, and there is no doubt
that amount would carry but the Philadelphians
say they will have the three millions or nothing.