The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-19


Recess to Begin on Monday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18-The consideration of
the report of the committee on rules was re-
sumed, the pending amendment being that of
fered by Mr. Springer of Illinois, to abolish the
various committees on expenditures in the differ
emit departments, and to concentrate their duties
in one committee, consisting of fifteen members
In advocating the amendment, Mr.. Springer
stated that during the past ten years the clerks
of these committees had been paid $3.50, 900
WHILE as far as he could remember, but two of
them had made reports-the committee on ex-
pendtures in the War Department, in the For
ty fourth Congress- and the committee on ex-
pend1tures in the Department OF Justice, In the
Forty eighth Congress-
Mr. Morrison thought that much good has re-
suited from the work done by these two COM
mittees. During the late campaign he had
heard 1t proclaimed everywhere in Democratic
speeches that the Democratic party wanted to
see the books. Now that it had the opportunity,
he hoped it would not close its eyes.
II hope you WON'T remarked Mr. Browne OF
Indiana; "you will have some books of your own
in few years."
ment. asserting that the House should always
stand ready to investigate abuses which had
grown up in the administration of the govern
ment. He did not think that the Republican
committees
Mr. Houk. of Tennessee stated that the Repub-
licans would not vote to abolish them. 1t was
true that when the Republicans were in power
there was little necessity for thein but the pros
pect was that they would be very useful in the
future.
After further debate the amendment was re-
jected.
Mr. Hammond, Of Georgia, offered as an
amendment at this point the following rule:
mo appropriation shall be reported in any
general appropriation bill, or be in order as an
amendment thereto, for any expenditure not
previously authorized by law, unless in continu-
alton Of appropriations for such public works
and objects are already in progress
This is the third clause of Rule 81 reported
by the committee on rules. except that 1t omits
the clause, land for the contingencies for carry
ing on the several departments of the govern
ment." Mr.. Hammond stated that his object
in presenting the amendment now was that 1t
might be discovered whether the House would
retain the power to keep riders on appropriation
bills.
Mr. Hiscock, of New York, thought that the
question should come up in its proper order, and
he saw in its presentation now covert attempt
to obscure another question.
Mr.. Hammond appealed to those members
who knew him to sustain him in the assertion
that he did nothing covertly. His purpose was
plain His purpose was to find out, in the be-
ginning. before the additional avenues to the
Treasury should be opened, how far the several
wanted to know, when the food came, how high
it might rise
why not vote on it nowa" interrupted Mr..
Mckinley, of Ohio.
Mr.. Hiscock-There will be no division of SEN
timent on this side involving proposition, at
the right and proper time. to eliminate all legis
lation from appropriation bills.
Mr. McKinley-Let US make a record now.
Mr.. Hiscock-I have a right to say that pre-
cipitatng the question at this time was intended
to obscure another question.
The amendment was rejected, without d.
vision.
The paragraph was then reached which limits
the appropriations over which the appropriations
committee shall have jurisdiction.
Mr. Cannon, of Illinois, moved to strike out
the Limitation, and referred to the statement
made by Mr.. Hiscock, to the effect that he had
exercised his power as chairman of the commit
tee appropriations, in the Forty seventh Con-
gress, to hold back appropriation bills in order
to force the passage of the intsInal revenue and
tariff commission bills. He [MfeCannon] said that
it had been an open secret that the Republican
caucus had decided that certain bills including
the bills alluded to, should have the right of
| way against any other measure. The gentleman
from New York had withheld certain appropria-
ton bills, but he had done so, not rs chairman
Of the appropriations committee. but as the Or
gan of the Republican majority
Mr.. Blount's amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Cannon then withdrew his amendment,
and it was renewed by Mr.. Blount Of Georgia.
who coupled with it amendment giving the
right to report at any time to the following COM
mittees: Foreign affairs, subjects relating to
the organization of the State Depart
ment and the consular and diplomatic
departments; military affairs. relating to
the organization of the army; naval affairs, re-
lating to the organization of the Navy Depart
ment the navy, and additional vessels to the
same; postoffce, relating to the organization of
the Postofice Department, the transportation of
the mails, and the regulation of the rates of
noAo Id nHo,n %hA
ton of Indian tribes
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia, offered an amend
ment providing that the committee on appropr
atons shall have jurisdiction appropriations
for revenue for support of the government, and
adding clause prohibiting general legislation
on any appropriation bill.
Mr. Hammond and Mr.. Holman withdrew
their amendments, and the former then offered
an amendment to strike out the distribution
feature of the report This brought the House
| to square vote on the question. and the amend
ment was rejected by a vote of yeas 70, nays 226
Of the Indiana delegation, Messrs. Cobb and
Holman voted in the negative. and the remainder
| who were present in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr.. Herbert, of Alabama, an
| amendment was adopted granting to committees
authority to report by bill to the House.
| On motion of Mr. Cobb, of Indiana, amend
rnent was adopted granting the committee on
public lands leave to report at any time on bills
for the forfeiture of land grants, to prevent spec
ulation in public lands, and for the reservation
of the public lands for the benefit Of actual and
| bona ide settlers. No'other amendments were
| adopted to this portion of the report, and that
portion which proposes to amend Rule q was
| then taken up.
| Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia. offered an amend
ment having for its object the prohibition of
| change in any general legislation upon appropri-
| alton bills.
| Mr. Holman offered an amendment allowing
| such legislation when it shall directly reduce
| the number salary or compensation of officers
| or employees of the United States.
| After some debate the amendment was re-
| iected; yeas &c. nays 209
| Mr. Hammond's amendment was then rejected
| by viva voce VOTE
| Mr. Hammond declined to call for division,
| and Mr.. Adams, of Illinois, thereupon offered an
| amendments, which was adopted, and which leaves
| Clause 3 of the twenty first rule reading AS fol-
| lows: mo appropriation shall be reported in