National Republican., 1888-06-03

similar action was taken on the bill extend
ing the time for the construction of the new
bridge across Staten Island sound.
The Ilouscthen went intocommittee Of the
whole on the agricultural appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hatch, of Missouri, asked that gen eral
debate be dispensed with, which was done,
and the bill was read by sections for amend
ment.
Mr.. Cannon. of Illinois, demanded an ex-
planaton of the SD,230 increase IN salaries
Of employees in the agricultural depart
ment.
Mr.. Hatch explained that much of the in-
crease was appai ent rather than real. The
salary of the commissioner had, however,
been increased $500 to 5000 to equalize 1t
with that Of the other government officials
Of corresponding rank, and increases had
leen made in the salaries Of the chief Of the
bureau of animal industry and subordinate
employees.
Mr.. Cannon said It made some difference
whose OK was gorcd. The gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Randal) had stated the
other day that this was a bad year for in
crcasing salaries. lie wanted to call atten-
ton to the fact that the House had been
consistent exactly two days. Now that the
the line Of consistency had been broken,
perhaps the Democrats would do exact and
equal justice and wander back through the
past ten years of reductions.
Mr.. Hatch disclaimed responsibility. for
the declarations Of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, but these employees of the
agricultural department were competent,
long.serving people, and he was not afraid
10 increase their salaries IN the year Of our
Lord 1883, or any other year.
Mr.. Enloe, of Tennessee, moved an
amendment reducing the appropriation for
the purchase of seed from 100000 to $780,
eco, saying that this appropriation was being
used in political way for the purpose Of
electonecring, the Democratic members
sending their seeds to Democratic constitu-
ents and the Republican members sending
theirs to their Republican friends.
This statement raised storm Of indignant
protest from both sides Of the House, Mr..
Bicgs, of California, declaring that he would
not allow such bold-faced assertion to pass
unnoticed He sent his seed to the post
master for distribution impartially.
Mr.. Enloe remarked that he was glad to
know that he had thrown rock which had
hit somebody ard, IN fact, he judged from
the uprOar he had hit all around.
Mr.. Brewer. Of Michigan, argued that
seed should be tested at the experimental
stations, and not sent out promiscuously.
Mr.. Hatch replied that the appropriation
for the purchase of seed could and would
no doubt lie materially reduced after this
year by the application Of that idea.
Mr.. Laird, of Nebraska, declared that the
commissioner of agriculture had acted with
wisdom and prudence in carrying out the
requirements Of the law.
Mr. Enloe's amendment was then re-
iected.
Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio, proposed an
amendment forbidding the issuance by the
agricultural department to members of Con-
grcss of any seeds in excess of their respec-
tive quota, and making 1t unlawful for the
commissioner of agriculture or any suborli-
nate in the department to act us agent for
any seedman.
lie stated that during the first two ses-
sions Of his service I'm Congress he had pur-
chased in New York just the amount of
seed which would come to him as his quota,
and had them enveloped at the department.
lie has thereby received for distribution
1900 papers instead Of $500. This session
he sought to repeat the proceeding, but was
informed that 1t could no longer be done
lie was told that If he chose, to give his
check for $50 he could have his quota in
creased by the amount that sum would pur-
chase. lie had asked how much that would
be and learned that he would receive 1000
papers, less than one-third the amount ht
received when he made the purchase him
self. lie admitted the seed had been i'm
proved, but thought IT unwise to have al
inside agency in the department of agricul
ture to beguile innocent congressman.
Mr.. Hatch, of Missouri, made the point o
order that the amendment changed existing
law, and was sustained.
Mr.. Lawler, of Illinois, inquired how the
laborers in the department had been treated
Mr. Hatch replied that the laborers in the
department were SO well satisfied that ht
would like to see the photograph of the in
dividual who wanted to resign.
Mr.. Lawler said that as all of the laborer
and charwomen were punched in the meas
ure he would move to amend the bill so a
to require that the minimum salaries o
laborers should be 81 per day. Ruled GU
on point of order.
The committee then rose and the bill wa
passed, Mr.. Washington, of Tennessee
vainly endeavornP - have 1t recommtte'
to the committee on agriculture with in
structions to restore the salary Of the com
missioner to the present figure.
The regular order was demanded, bein!
Mr.. Mills's motion TO limit, he.debate on th
b pending paragraph Of the tariff bill TO ten
minutes, which prevailed.
The House then went into committee o
the whole on the bill.
The amendment under consideration wal
to strike from the free list timber hcwn an,
sawed and timber used for spars an,
wharves.
Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, address
ing the House, said that 1t should be thu
object of the House to fix the tariff Mt
rate just high enough to cover the differ
ence in the wages of lumbermen In thi
country and Canada, and he hoped that th
duty would be fixed, as in his bill, at l
per cent. ad valorem.
MIR. Boothman, of Ohio, advocated tn
adoption of the amendment, believing tina
free lumber meant idle workmen in this
country. If the lumbermen were thrown
out Of employment they had only agricutur
to turn to, and that field was alread
glutted.
Mr.. Randall said that the consumer q
lumber would not benefit by the bill, an
wages would be reduced to the Canada
standard.
Mr. Taulbee, of Kentucky, gave motto
that he would vote for the amendment
VIII the idea of Offering in the proper plac
another amendment, imposing 10 per cent
nd valorem duty on lumber,
The question was about to be put on Nj
struble's mot to strike out'timber, hew
and sawed, Luu ''mber used for spars and |
building wharves,n when Mr., Burrow
asked to be informed as to the effect Of I"
pairr upon other than record votes Severi
members expressed divergent views upo
the subject, Mr.. Kelley, of Pennsylvania
holding that the pair applied only to recor'
votes, while other members held that men
bers were IN honor bound TO refrain entirel
from voting while paired,
The chair decided that the question raise
was one that must be settled by each part
to pair.
4 division was had on Mr. Struble
amendment and 1t was rejected-ycas q,
nays 100.
Mr.. Randall then moved to strike out tn
paragraph and insert climber, not furthC
manufactured than hcwn, squared, an
sided" but this amendment was rejecte
without division, and the second pari
graph of the bill-"timber squared an
sidedn-was read.
Mr.. Taulbee, of Kentucky, while approx
ing the bill generally, felt bound to move
strike out the paragraph.
Mr.. Burrows read statements to show tn
importance of the lumber industry which
was, he said, proposed to strike down. III