The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-31
What the Committee Intended to
do About the Appropriations.
They Wished to Adopt a Bill &c
Cover Period of Two Years.
Tho President Ia Consulted In the
Matter and Gives His Opinion.
He Thinks the People Would Not Under
stand the Two Year Plan-He
Favors the Present Bill
General News.

WAsiiiNGToN, March WI IL hau not
been for the President the rivers and har-
bors committee would have made n bill
this session large enough TO last two years,
and then not attempted to pass It at the COM
ing short session. This idea OF biennial
bill, which, by the way, was first suggest
cd by Cen Catchings, Of Mississippi has
found great many advocates, especially
among those friends OF internal improve
ment who know the difficulty OF passing n
river aud harbor appropriation bill during
the short session. Shortly after the COM
mittee Organized they took this subject up
| and gave itcareful consideration. They were
unanimously in favor OF the plan, but
having in mind the fate OF the lost bill,
they agreed TO take the President into
their confidence. The Democratic MON.
| bcrs of the committee accordingly waited
In body upon Mr.. Cleveland and OK.
planned what they had in view. Mr.. Clcvo.
| land said that while he did not want 10 he
| in the position Of influencing legislation he
| thought that this session, just ON the eve
OF presidential campaign, would not be
an suspicious time to innugurate such n
system; that while he thought II was
q good one, he apprchendcd that
the public might not be made TO
understand that the necessarily large mp
preparation was for two years, and that he
thought that the party might he put 10
some disadvantage thereby. Under such
| circumstances, the members OF the COIN.
m,tcc decided 10 adhere TO the established
policy, but IL Is more than probable that
| in the liity-llrst Congress the biennial
| l.. lao.
view mentioned the above occasion was
taken TO ask Mr. Cleveland how largo an
appropriation bill he would feel justified
in signing lie replied that he did not
think the size Of the bill amounted 10
much, provided there were no objection.
able features In IL. The President, without
saving 40 positively gave the gentlemen to
understand that he would sign any good
hill that was sent him. The Democratic
members OF the committee have about
made mp their minds TO fight the amend
mcn,s the Senate will undoubtedly add 20
this bin upon new principle. Under the
rules Of the House no item for canal im.
proyemenl or building can be considered
by the river and harbor committee, 10 they
will decline 10 entertain any amendment
TO their bill on the part OF the Senate
which directly or Indirectly has any
thing 10 do with canals. They will take
the position that the Senate commerce
committee would have ~ much right TO
put bridge building, fortress ~ lighthouse
features In the hill M canal features. They
! will therefore decline to consider any sub
iccts over which they did not have juris.
1iciion originally In iho House. This will
shut out all the canal schemes, and will
probably give rise 20 u proimcicd fight be-
tween the two committees.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Representative Washington today pre-
scented in the House the petition Of the Bar
association OF Tennessee asking for the
passage OF the bill 10 increase to 5000 the
salary OF the United States district Judge.
lie also introduced q petition, signed by
l30rcsidcntsoi Nashville. proiestingagainst
the passage Of the adultcraicd lard bill.
Mr.. Whitthorne introduced the petition
Of H. II. Wolkcs, Of Maury county, for u
pension, and Mr.. Phclan the petitions of
the heirs Of g., NJ. Swift, Of Fayctie cOun-
", and Of Paul 4. Jones Of llardcman
county. for the reference Of their claims 10
the court of claims.
Mr.. Rogers, Of Arkansas, presented nu'
morous petitions from many sections OF
that State protesting against the taxing of
| follpn hfh bllf tHlh elIs mtiNt' " l'ulHi
from the citizens Of Tcxukana against
branding or taxing food products.
Nh. NILS IMPROVED.
The health OF Representative Mills has
greatly improved In the past few DAYS, and
he IL thought 10 be ont 81 danger. lie ex-
poets 10 get ont for ride this afternoon
and 10 be at the capitol for q short time on
Monday or Tuesday.
rnE MISSISSIPPI QUARANTINE STATIONS
The Ship Island quarantine board has
made n report 10 the marine hospital bu-
roau recommending the establishment Of n
quarantine station at North Grandeur,
near the northwest pass Of the Mississippi.
pRocrEDrNGs OF TuE HOUSE.