The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-02-23
Our Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondence
February 10Th, 1884.

'iil"pio -oCJect. he 10uS
voted three hundred thousand dollar
Tor the relief of sufferers from the pre
valling floods. A whole day was ex
hausted, however, in discussion of tn
question before vote was reached
When the resolution was read Mr.
Hiseock opposed it on the grounds O
unconstltutionality. He thought stat,
legislatures should succor and sunnor
their own citizens: That wealthy state.
like Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois haC
no authority for passing the hat fol
aims to the Federal Treasury: He
sad II his own State, New York, were
here making such an appeal, he would
ask the House not to give it to her.
Mr.. Toilet replied that people were
drowning and starving, and that ne
cessity knew neither law nor constitu.
ton, and never had in this country;
the latter remark causing laughter on
the Republican side of the House.
A running debate followed, various
members participating, and finally
Mr.. Bedford gained the floor, delight
ed at another opportunity to mount
his pet hobby. Amid applause and
laughter he again shouted for the lib
Grafton of the surplus revenues hoard
ed in the Treasury vaults, in the name
of suffering humanity.
During the debate kilograms were
read from time to time, from citizens
and towns along the Ohio river, pray
ing Congress for help Mr.. Hiscock
softened finally and said he approved
of the appropriation, but thought
measures OF this kind required liber
al Interpretation of the Constitution.
MIR. White of Kentucky, also thought
the Constitution would have to be
stretched little for the purpose, and
Mr.. Eaton said something about the
necessity of the heart acting even
though the head doubted. Mr.. Towns
bend spoke of the inability of hunger
waiting for the slow action of state or
private charity. Mr.. Blout hoped the
gracefuluess of the measure would not
be marred by words of opposition
Mr.. Reagan said that great many
things had been done in the history of
this Government for which it would
be difficult to find precise warrant
in the Constitution, and cited the pre-
cidents set by Congress in granting
relief to Italy, Ireland, the people of
Alabama and Mississippi. Still he
was refreshed, even during the consid
GRAFTON of so grave matter to hear
some of his Republican friends assert
that there was a Constitution and that
there was danger of violating it.
Mr.. Cox then made short speech
in which he mingled little pathos,
wit, poetry, and sarcasm. He began
by abiding to the ironical manner in
which he said the Democratic side of
the House was challenged as to the
constitutionality Of the measure, but
said in the presence of so great ca
lamity, he could not scrutinize critic
ally for warrant He asked the
other side of the House, "Who had |
torn the Constitution in twain? -
8 Who had squandered money on all |
sorts of eXtravagant projects, without
having the sweet mantle of charity to
cover its sins?" and repeated the
words beginning, {" The little rift with
n the lutte, that by-and-bye will make
he music mute" in reference to these !.
lifts in the Constitution. He stated
he first proposition for Congressional
charity since the war was made by
members for pork to feed
he starving negroes, washed out by
he Tambigbee river, and that on that
occasion the American hog had PLAYED
| partizan and not diplomatic part.
lie closed by saying if there should be
my breach of the Constitution in vot-
ng for the measure the Almighty
would pardon and condone it,
During the discussion an Illinois
called the attention of
member from New York to the fact
hat Illinois had paid this year into
he Federal Treasury eight million
ollars more than the Empire State.
after repeated cries for vote the
uestion was taken. There were 234
cas- and II nays, "A members declin-
ng to vote. The Senate passed the
i'll without word of opposition.
Petitions still pour into the Senate
the manufacture and sale
f liquor in the District of Columbia,
ne last being signed by citizens in
'alifornia, Michigan, Colorado and
Their States
A bill has been offered providing
nat the rules for the preservation of
ealth shall be branches of education
1 the public schools of this District ,
nd the Territories, and that the pu-
lis shall be instructed in regard to
ne nature of alcohol, and the intoxi-
ating, narcotic. and poisonous sub '
.anccs in common use by the people,
nd their effects upon life and health.
There has been another bill to dis
-anchise the Mormons, by providing
1