National Republican., 1882-12-11

blame the President for vctoing the bill for
the largcness of the appropriations.
Mr.. McLaue. That did.
Mr.. kassOn. In other words the President
should expend all that is appropriated?
Mr.. McLano. That is another question, and
I challenge the gentleman to Justify any Presi-
dent who uses his discretion after congress has
appropriated the money.
Mr.. Kasson. / except the challenge, and
say that will support any president, repub
lican or democratic, in eXpending as little as
he can, unless he is required by express law
| TO cNpend. Gen. Grant took the ground of
discretion, and further than that, President
Arthur, contrary to the statement of the gem
| tleman, vetoed the bill ON grounds of eXtrava.
! gancc, as also because il appropriated for OBJ
| iects not within tho constitutional limita-
| tions.
Mr.. McTane argued that the present reSolu-
tion would vindicate tho honor of the
President; il was as necessary to the Presi-
dent as to any human being.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, inquired whether
| Mr. McLanc meant to say that the represen-
tativcs from New York were influenced i'll
their actions by the railroad interests.
Mr.. McLanc replied that he had not ad-
dressed himself to that question.
Messrs. Townshcnd of Illinois, Atherton, of
| Ohio and others asserted that the papers of
the west as well rs the press of New York had
opposed the river and harbor bill; and Mr..
Rohcson suggested that the great lines of rail-
way run to Chicago and st. Louis, and Incl
| dcntally mentioned that there were eight
railroads in his district.
Mr.. Cox And then you didn't get through.
Mr.. McCook denied that the action of the
representatives of New York had been lnfiu-
cnccd by the railroads.
The discussion, which had been carried on
amid great noise and confusion, here closed.
Mr. Page objected to Mr.. Kasson's amend
ment, but an amendment was agreed to call
ing on the secretary of war for such further
information pertinent to the subject as he
may see proper to send, ana the resolution as
amended was adopted.
resolution for the printing of 90, 900 copies
of the report of the tariff commission was
adopted as substitute for senate resolution
of similar import.
CIvIL-sERvICE REFORM.
Mr. Kasson, of Iowa, from the committee on
civl-scrvice reform, reported a bill to improve
the civil service, and it was ordered printed
and recommittod.
MILITARY POST AT Ell PAso.
On motion of Mr.. Upson, of Texas, bill
was passed to rectify the title of the United
States to the site of the military post ut Ell
Paso, Texas.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were introduced and re-
ferrCd:
BY Mr.. Crowley, of New York. Appropria.
ting 81, ,250000 for the purchase of real estate
in New York city for custom purposes,
BY Mr.. Norcross, of Mas achusetts, by re-
} quest: To enlarge and promote telegraphiC
communication between America and Europe
BY Mr.. McCod, of Iowa: To regulate inter.
state commerce.
, BY Mr.. Morse, of Massachusetts,: For the
importation free of duty of books printed for
the use of the blind.
The house then Cat 1:40) went into commit
, tee of the whole (MT. Rice, of Massachusetts,
I in the chair) on the consular and diplomatic
t bill.
Mr.. Hewitt, of New York, in speaking to 6
formal amendment, said that he wished tC
| correct a popular misapprehension as to the
1 consular fees. The report of the fifth auditor
. of the treasurer showed that during the last
fiscal year consular fees amounted to S659, $40
or an excess over expenditures of Sol ,01S. ii
was the fashion for the shipping interest t
allege that the whole of this sum was
: burden imposed on American shipping Tha
Q was false impression. The fifth auditor
, report showed that only $120, 900 were paid b!
= American vessels, of that $50 900 was collected
c for tonnage, and the law which imposed ton
t mage dues had been repealed last session
4 There was left therefore but 800 600 as the sun
= collected from shipping. A few days since tn
n the burden of extra wages, which amount t
c 5000. All that was left of 4 charge pllshiT
r was therefore but $4,000, and that Was dis
o trbutcd over a shipping of 100000 tons. II
!. was in favor of sweeping these fees away
] they were not worth keeping, and thus fre
II ships and commerce from the eXactions, hic
, were only annoying, and which required til
1t maintenance of an army of officials at foreig
II ports. y...g-
@ The committee rose, the bill was reported I
is the house, passed, and at $50 the house az
n journed. .t...