The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-16
THE HOUSE.
The Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation
Bill Under Discussion.


WASHINGTON, May 15.-BIr Laird, from the
committee on military affairs, reported bill
authorizing the location of branch soldiers
homes in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa,
Minnesota and Missouri or Nebraska Referred
to the committee of the whole.
Senate bills were passed authorizing the con
struction of bridges across the Rio Grande, be
tween Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, and be
tween Laredo and Nuevo Laredo
A bill was passed authorizing the construction
OF a bridge across the Mssouriri in Nebraska.
A bill was passed authorizing extension of the
Chesapeake & Ohio road to a point the mill
tary lands of Fortress Monroe
The morning business was dispensed with, and
the House went into committee of the whole
on the diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill
Mr.. Hit moved to amend by restoring to
ST.. 900 the salaries of the ministers to Austria
and Italy. The bill reduces them to 1000.
Mr.. Blount opposed the amendment, express
ing his indifference as to whether or not the
whole diplomatic system We're abolished.
Mr.. Hiscock regarded the reduction as a whole
sale cut without rhyme or reason.
Mr.. O'Neill tof Pennsylvania declared that,
owing to the small salaries paid ministers and
consuls, they were compelled to live in remote
corners of the cities to which they were
credited, and in some cases it was almost impos
sible for an American citizen to find them.
Mr.. Blount appealed to Democratic members
not to be divided on the question and regretted
that the gentleman from New York (Mr. DORIS
heimer) had joined with the gentlemen of the
other side in lecturing the Democratic party and
in attempting to defeat the committee on appro-
priations and thus strike blow at the party.
He cared not on what else the par " might di
vide, this was question on which it could unite
and meet the approval of the country
Mr. Townshend opposed the amendment
Mr.. Holman appealed to the party fealty of
members to stand by the committee.
Mr.. Dorsheimer suggested that an appeal to
party fealty might better have been made when
the House was considering a bill which would
reduce taxation $50, 1000, 900 than when it was
debating a proposition to reduce salaries The
amendment was lost 10 to 49,
Amendments for missions to Roumania,. Ser
via and Greece and various amendments for in
creasing or maintaining salaries in certain cases
all rejected.
Mr.. Cannon offered an amendment to make an
appropriation for contingent expenses of
the consular and diplomatic service In
explanation of this amendment, Mr.. Cannon
stated that no provision was made in the bill for
postage, kilograms, freight, the employment Of
experts, gathering statistics, etc, for which $50,
600 was the appropriation for the current year,
and that failure to make such provision would
strike blow at the whole consular system. As
there was no quorum voting on the amendment,
Mr.. Cannon raised the point of no quorum
and the committee therefore rose.
The Speaker announced the following as vis-
tors to the annual examination at West Point:
Messrs. Rosecrans, Beach and Henderson, of
Illinois, and the following as visitors to Annap
oils: Messrs. Cox, of New York. Evans, of
of South Corolina, and Golf.
The Senate amendments to the bill for the
Worlds Centennial and Cotton Exhibition at
New Orleans were concurred in. Adjourned