Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-12-17

MIN 10 the high position be now occunied
committees which could not keep within
the limits OF proper appropriations for
carrying on the government. They sought
70 disguise their argument by declaring
that the committees when organized
would attempt 20 aggrandize power, and
IN Illustration of this the gentleman from
pennsylvania (Mr Raudall) had prepared a
table showing the large increase in appro.
pratiOns carried by the river aud harbor
bill since that measure had been taken
away from the appropriation com.
mlttee. This was hardly ingenious,
for in point of fact the bill had practi-
cally never been under the jurisdiction
OF the appropriation committee; but the
true reason why the river aud harbor bill
had swollen IN amount was that the com.
mittee on rivers and harbors had been
given jurisdiction over the subject OF
Mississippi river improvements. He
(lliscock) was In favor OF as many mem
bers OF the house as possible sharing in
its responsibilities and its labor, sharing
in its leadership. He was opposed to
building up system Of rules that would
crown any man or any set OF men as
kings OF this legislative body.
He went on 90 argue that II the appropr-
alton bills were distributed they could all
be reported within thirty days OF the
organization of the committees
MIR. Randall inquired whether the eN-
periencc OF the gentleman from New York,
as chairman of the committee of appro-
priations IN the Forty congress,
had not taught him that it was impossi-
bic to report appropriation bills within
thirty days from the time the committee
was formed. Frequently estimates were
not in before the expiration of thirty days.
Mr.. lliscock admitted that this was
true, but asserted that any of the bills
could be reported within week from the
receipt OF the estimates.
Mr.. Randall; al put against your re-
marks your record as chairman OF that
committee
Mr., Hiscock: 81 am entirely willing
that my record as chairman Of that COM
mittee be paraded before the house. Ger
tainly as far as the prosentmcnt Of bills IL
concerned the record OF that committee
will compare tavorably with that of any
committee before or since"
MIR. Randall; 81 think not.n
Mr.. Hiscock: "The gentleman had bet
ter content himself with remaining in the
! field of speculation and thought on that
! subject
MIR. Randall: az 20 to the record"
! Mr.. uiscock: al grant I did not bring
in bills early, but could If had desired,
| held back the legislative and sundry
civil bills until away into January to force
the house TO vote on the internal revenue
bill and the little tariff bill"
"a little log-rolling," suggested Mr.
Randall
Mr.. Hiscock: ayes, ! did it. gram
that did Il, and ] say that the rccort
viii show that | distinctly declared my
intention and purpose TO the country. i
was done boldly. | don't think J shoult
have had the power, but having had II
exercised il. believe In this parucua
case it was wise legislation Hiscoc'
then proceeded to point out danger
which attended the dumping of bills GOV
ering many million dollars IN the senat
in the last DAYS of the session when ther,
was no time for consideration or discus
sion. These bills were presented to the
president Tor his signature when he ha'
no opportuuity to examine them, and tn
president would be sustained by the peo
ple if he should withhold his signature.
Mr.. Hiscock spoke with much earnest
ness, and at the conclusion OF his spceci
his party colleagues. He was followed b.
MIR. Holman of Indiana with an argumen
in opposition to the abolition of the neV
rule known as the Holman amendment
which enables legislation to be en-
grated on appropriation bills,
, it is in the interest OF economy
He maintained that before the adoption
of this amendment general Legislation
was placed in nearly every appropriate
, bin, and generally In the direction OF eN
trayarance. He argued that the HOLMAN
, amendment. instead Of having been a
evil. ms conten led by its enemies, ha
: saved TO the people taxes amounting L
many million dollars. After warning IN
= Democratic party not to exchange a rlll
/ which prohibited legislation, except Il
thA interest of economy, 10
one which would allow legisla
tion which would increas
q expenditures, he passed to the qucstlo
/ as to whether the appropriation Dlll'
a should be distributed. While he admit
. ted that the river and harbor, fortified
c tions and District of Columbia approprl
4 alton bills might appropriately nc give
a 10 the committees having jurisdiction
. these subjects, he argued that lhe olhe
4. hills could not be distributed Withou
= causing great confusion ana disorder j
b. the methods of appropriation,
l. MIR. Wenborn oil Texas confined ms re
n marks to the discussion OF the distrlou
Il lion feature Of the report and mad
p a strong argument in its support, Gi'
4 claiming, however, any purpose 10 cIlV
a else the committee on appropriaIoh'
Il which was composed of men oil aolllty an
Il honesty. Under the present rules u u
y destlnies of &C, 900, 600 people who inha'
II tied the country were at stake so rat IT, a
. these destinies were affected by law Tue
- were IN the hands of fifteen members ,,
- his house, practically and virtually sui
" icct TO their control. The other COMM
N tees, even the great ways and means NJ con y
" annrnpriation committee. For instanc,
.. tbe committee on judiciary former
!. so powerful, was to-day but an NUMB %
~ greatest legal talent in the world J.
u Rad been much struck with the stat
g ment made by the gentleman from Ne