New-York tribune., 1879-06-06
MIR. ATKINS MUCH AsTONIsHED.

lie REPORTS A PATCHWORK APPROPRIATION BILL
AND Is TAKEN BY SURPRISE BY GENERAL HAw-
IrY-THE BILL WITHDRAWN AND AGAIN INTRO
DUCED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUEEI
WASHINGTON, June 5.-hs soon as General Atkins,
chairman of the Appropriations Committee, re-
ported the Executive and Legislative bin in the
House this morning, he made the usual motion TO
reoommt the bill in order that 1t might be printed,
but neglected to call the previous question: Cen
eral Hawey quietly rose and offered the following
amendment:
And the Committee Appropriations is instructed to
report the bill substantially IN the form ana containing
the matter the Legislative. Executive and Judicial
bin as last agreed by the House, excluding herefrom
all general political legislation ana all appropriations
for judicial expenses.
General Atkins was quite taken abackj and the
Democrats of the House were thrown into cold
persplration by this apparently harmless amend
ent evidently fearing that It contained some fatal
though hidden petard. Mr.. Atkins was going to
move that the amendment be tabled, when the
Speaker reminded him that that would carry the
bill itself to the table hurried consultation took
nloce among the Democrats, and Mr.. Atkins then
declared that he had never yielded The floor, not
withstanding General Hawleys amendment had
been read by the clerk. The Speaker said he must
take Mr. Atkinss word 10 that; and the latter
then asked the Speaker if he could withdraw the
bill. Ihe speaker Salu He Couiu' anu ho 'inHh0u'
ately did so.
Later in the day he again reported the bill. AS
soon as the clerk had read its title, General Atkins
in an amusingly hurried manner demanded the
previous question to recommlt 1t.
The bill reported by the Appropriations Commit
tee contained no politics. but it was IN very bad
form. Instead of manfully approprating III detail
as usual il re6naced the similar bill OF last year.
but added ten pages of exceptions. exclusions and
neyv matter. II contained of the OBJ
iectonabIe matter so much discussed, and would be
unobiectionable on that score. But II would make
an involved confused law, and nobody could under
stand what is given without holding in his hand
last years bill and this and comparing section by
section. This course is said to be Mr. Atkins's own
idea The caucus did not instruct him on this He
fanced that such bill would 60 through the House
with less trouble Being a bill that nobody can un-
derstand. 1t WILL on the contrary, cause more bother
II is much dislIked by number of the Democrats,
and some very prominent ones.
Possibly 1t might be an advantage that 1t could be
claimed on the stump that the Democrats had only
Welded so far as continue existing appropriations
and had passed no real Legislative, Executive and
Judicial Appropriation BILL General Hawleys OBJ
iect was simply to compel the Appropriations Com
mittee. Of which he is member. to report fuli
bill. not one of patchwork. His motion would re.
quire bill in no mateTai respeci I, ion
reported by General Atkins only full perfected
lii and TO avoid controversy he proposed 10 cA,,
clude general political legislation. ana the Julclai
oxuenses which the Democrats themselves propose
fo nut in another bill. General liaweys intention
wagnot 10 antagouize the BILL but simply TO put the
Uonsc ON record as instructing the committee 10 Ie-
oort an appropriation bill free from poilcai flders