New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-15
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
DISCUSSION OF A PAINFUL SUBJECT.
[BY TELEGRAPH To TIE rRIRrNE.I

lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, July 14.-There was painful and
rather Improbable discussion in the House to-day
over one of the Senate amendments to the General
Deficiency bill 1t approprates $57 500 for the pay
ment of the expenses incident to the illness of
President Garfield good many members of the
House appeared to think that the Senate was guilty
of insolence "-as Mr.. Blackburn phrased tin
assuming to initiate any proposition for this pur-
pose, when it was well known that a select COM
mittee of the House had taken the subject into
sideration and reported its conclusions TO the
House.
But Messrs. Blackburn, Springer and McMiln APP
peared to have a worse grievance. Had the report
of the House committee been brought up for con-
sideration they would have enjoyed full opportu-
nifty to assail the surgeons who attended the Presi
dent. Coming up IN the form it did, the House was
able to limit and check debate. Only an hour
allowed for general discussion after which debate
restricted to substantial amendments under the
five-miDute rule. Messrs. Blackburn, Springer and
McMillin found time to say great many unpleas-
ant things about the surgeons and their treatment
of The case-and of course Mr.. Springer also OBJ
taned permission to print his unuttered attack on
DR.. Bliss.
Chairman Hscock favored the amendment,
because he wanted to see the matter taNen ont
by some tribunal which would not engage in such
unsecmly discussion as that in the House to-day.
Mr. Springer wanted the appropriation for medical
and Surgical attendance cut down to $4,000, and
said that Secretary Seward paid his own bills re-
sutng from the attack upon him of an assassin,
and that they amounted to only $500.
Mr.. McNlin of Tennessee. made short speech
full of coarse illusions which made very disagree
able impression.
General McCOok, who was one of General Gar
fields warmest personal friends when they served
together both in the Army and in the House, made
short and spirited speech declaring that
Congress had as yet done nothing for the widow
and fatherless children of the late President except
TO give her pcnson-at the saTe time
giving pensions TO the widows of other Presidents.
Everything else that had been done for the late
Presidents family had been freely and gladly done
bv the peop ole of the United States, who were will
ing to do still more If necessary. Rather than have
Congress hIggling and squabOling over these doc
tors bills, the people would pay the bills them
selves. They certainly would not approve such dis
cussions as That of to-day
At last, after refusing to increase the amount ap-
pTOpriated, the House. by very small majority, re-
fused to concur in the Senate amendment. Inc
matter will now 90 to a conference committee, and
it is to be hoped opened to more such discussions
as that OF to-day. Shortly altorward the House
passed the resolution to pay Mrs. Garfield the bal
ance of her husbands salary for the year ended
March 3, 1882. Mr. Mckenzie, of Kentucky, was
the only member who voted i'll the negative.