The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-06
Details of the Debate.
ern Associated Press


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Mr. Cannon moved
to suspend the rules and bring the legislative
appropriation bill before the House for inn
mediate consideration.
Mr.. Blackburn inquired whether the mo-
tion of the gentleman from Illinois did not
amount to a suspension of the rules and tire
passage of the biz without any privilege
to the House to discuss or amend it?
The Speaker replied that the motion itself
did not amount to that; what its result might
be- he did not feel call ed on to decide
Messrs. Belford and Atkins demanded
second, and the motion was seconded-125
to "a.
Mr.. Cannon explained that the bill which
it was proposed to take up for consideration
was one which provided for the salaries of
officers of the government, and was substan-
TALLY continuation for the next year OF the
service OF the present year. 1t carried
an appropriation of $40, ,39S. 000 an increase
OF $40, 900 over the present law There was
only one item of new legislation in it-that
requiring eight hours work in the depart
ments. There were but twenty-three legisla-
tive days left, and the legislative, sundry
civil and deficiency bills were not passed. 1t
was evident to every body that these appro-
priation bills could not be considered in conf
mittee of the whole, and the tariff bill also
considered. His side of the House believed
that some legislation touching the revenues
should be had at this session of Congress-
There was nending on the Senate side bill
taking $20,0O0,000 from taxation, and
he understood it was likely to come
back to the House for action. If this
and the tariff bill were passed they would
reduce taxation to the amount OF $40 600, 000
and the country demanded action upon
them. The pending bill could be passed
with safety without consideration in com
mittee of the whole. For one and he
thought he spoke for the Republican side of
the House. he was ready to clear the track OF
these appropriation bills and let the reve-
nue. bill have substantially a clear track for
the next twenty-tbree days. Applause on
the Republican side.]
Mr. Belford inquired whether, if Mr.
Cannon's motion prevailed, it would be in
order to offer any amendment to the bill
or whether it was to go through under whin
and spur. If it was, he did not propose d.,
support it. Applause on the Democratic
side.
Mr. Cannon replied that at this time no
amendment was in order. If the rules werel
suspended and the bill come up for consiS
Grafton, majority of the House would havs
complete control of it.
Mr.. Atkins said the bill came forward in al
very irregular manner. The purposel
originally had been to move to suspend tn
rules ana pass the bill; the purpose of TIA
pending motion was to cut off amendment
and debate and it would have been moe
manly on the part of the gentleman from
Illinois to have moved to put the bill upon
its passage This was an indirect way of
cramming the bill down the throats OF Nol
minority without debate or amendment. k,1
objected to the proposition because it was 81
dangerous precedent. If it were to become
a precedent for the passage of appropriation
bills, what rights had the minority, and
what power had the people to preveat
moneyed bills being passed under the ga
lawP q
THE GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY.
Mr. Blackburn said the pending motion,
in its very essence, was not candid one. Re
meant no personal offense to the gentleman
from Illinois, who had not ventured to ask
the House to pass the bill. He sought, how,
ever, in adroit fashion, to do what was sub
stantially the same thing. 1t smacked d the
conference. II showed conclusively d It's
face that it had been deliberately choSn as
a method of attack more idroit
than manly If the motion should plevail,
| The gentleman would not deny that | was
/ his purpose to put the gag in the moth OF
| the House under the operation of tn, pre-
vous question, and deny every MAJ the
right to ask any explanation or to offer
amendment. As to the Senate bill, the 9en-
] ocrats would agree to night sessions TO dis