The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-01
THE HOUSE.
The River and Harbor Bill Occupies Atten-
ton Most of the Day.


ton Most of the Day.
| WASHINGTON, Feb 2S.-I immediately after
reading the Journal, Mr. Randall rose and said
"Mr. Speaker-Ir had followed my impulses
/ on the moment of the announcement of the CON
Ierees, on the part of the House, on the differ
! enees between the two houses in referance TO the
| TAX and tariff legislation, would have then and
there declined service, but | preferred TO act
after reflection and deliberation, and thus avoid
semoianee of what might he thought hastv
action. Seldom, If ever, during my service in
TINS House, have | avoided duty or responsible
| lty, but In this instance feel can better serve
the interests of my State by the einquishment
OF the labor assigned to me. / leave behind me
on the committee of conference a member repre-
sehting my own State, and. in fact my own city;
one who has devoted lifetime TO the subject in
controversy. Whatever report may come the
result of this action of the House, when it is
presented shall be more at liberty TO pursue
such course on its consideration as Will enable
me TO best promote the great industrial interests
! limitations. Therefore, Mr.. Speaker, ask to be
released from the service you were kind enough
TO assign me to-"
| Mr.. Anderson sarcastically suggested that
Russell Errett be appointed to fill the vacancy.
The Speaker-The gentleman will be re-
lieved, and the chair appoints Mr.. Morrison of
! Illinois.
al respectfully decline to serve" said Morri-
sou, rising
The speaker-The chair will appoint to fill the
vacancy, Occasioned by declination, the gentle
man from Virginia, MIR. Tucker.
GAS the third appointee," said Mr. Tucker, "I
decline TO serve"
The Speaker-The chair will take the natter
under consideration.
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the state of the Nation, and after
brief contest Ia regard to the respective claims
for precedence of the deficiency anu river and
harbor bills, consideration of the latter was re-
sumed.
Before 1t was finally taken up Mr. Springer
made the point of order that the tariff bin WAS
first in order. The friends of that measure, it
seems mad lett 1t in the committee to die, but he
thought its consideration should he proceeded
with. The chair, however, ruled otherwise, and
the river ana harbOr bill was taken up.
M. Mclean spoke in support of the bill Com
menting on last -ear's veto message, Mr.. Nc
Lean expressed his opinion that it was mex
cusabie in high executive officer to speak in
terms of disrespect of the legislature which he
was advising. The Improperly became much
more offensive when accompanied with a great
display of ignorance. He had never known an
executive to be so grossly misled and mistaken
Not only was great Injustice done to the .egs-
laiure, but every little penny -a-liner had high
authority for denouncingit. He cared not what
| the newspapers said about this bill: they had
fallen into loose style, and editors daily called
each other liars and sthleves ard vagabOnds.
But he was not Indifferent to what was said ON
this floor, and he wonld never permit man to
denounce vote of his as unworthy of respect
without ealing upon him to prove IL, and he
thanked God he could brand such man il not a
| calumniator, as one ignorant OF the facts
Mr. Burrows, of Michigan chairman of the &C.
lect committee on the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi river, quoted from the report of the
committee and defended the bill
Mr.. Robinson, of Massachusetts, thought the
bill should be guarded so the commission could
not expend another dollar for the repair OF
| levees.
Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois, member of the select
committee, asserts that the Mississippi commits
| sion had in no wise exceeded its authority, and
placed himself on record here and now in favor
| of the plan of the commission, aud that, too in
| Guiding levees. Eight members of the House,
| after floating down the Mississippi by night and
| in a fog, on freight boat laden with empty kerr
osene barrels, and agricultural implements,
came here, and in the face of all the g xDerience
of the best scientists, ana said; ''You shall not
use money Tor this or that purpose because, for
| sooth, we have been down the Mississippi river
| and know more about IL than you the commits
| SION" The friends of the pooling COMPANIES of
| railroads propose to limit this great national
| work and strangle it to death.
Mr.. Butferworth expressed his disbelief in the
| IDEA that the waters of the Mississippi could be
confined by mud walls without a compromise
with the mnskrats or truce with the mOles
de had no hostility to the levee system, but he
did not think there should be any large expendi-
! ture OF money for the construction of levees
until further experiments were made. He de-
| Tended the general plan of appropriatius for
| river and harbor Improvement, and asserted
| that the man from the West who voted against
such appropriations wonld have few votes at
| the next election it would not nay him to count
| them. Let not New York, which had sucked the
| oranges and now wanted to chew The pulp, for
| get that westward the star of empire took lts
| course, and in the course of that empire neces-
sary improvements would follow.
| Mr.. Ellis spoke in favor Of the levee system.
Mr.. White opposed the passage of the river and
| harbor bill at this session.
The bill was then read by paragraphs for
amendments. The amendment increasing the
\ approximation for the Charleston, S. c., harbor
were lost AT this point the committee rose in
formally, ana after the appointment by the
| Speaker of Mr. Speer, of Georgia. conferee on
the tax bill to fill the vacancy oecasioned by
Mr.. Randall's defamation, resumed It's session.
On motion of Mr.. Aldrch item was in
serted approprating $4,000 for the improve
ment of Calumet river.
Mr.. Davis, of Illinois, moved to increase the
appropriation for the harbor of Chicago from
SIS, 900 TO S125,000 Lost.
Mr.. Van Voorhis offered a proviso covering
into the treasury all unex pended monies appro-
priated by former river and harbOr bills Lost.
Mr. Burrows, of Michigan, offered an amend
ment aDpropriating $4,000 for the improve
ment of the st. Joseph, Mich, harbor, and the
channel leading to Benton harbOr. Lost The
committee then rose, and Mr. Page said he
would ask the Honse TO sit the bill out tonight
Mr. Bingham chairman of the committee on
pos5otfioes and postroad, reported bill to ad-
just the salaries of pOstmaSters. Placed on The
House calendar.
Recess.
Evening Session.