New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-02
RANDALL NOT TO BLAME.
APPROPRIATION BILLS LONG DELAYED.
WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY Rrsrs-YArsE PER-
FENCES or FREE TRADERS.


TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL
WASHINGTON, April 1.-What is the matter
with the frec-trade leaders in the House? They
affect to despisc Samuel j. Randall, and persist
emily do they declare that his fangs have been
drawn and his powers Of mischief destroyed.
And yet they have begun TO complain that he Is
using his power as chairman OF the Appropria-
tions Committee to thwatt their plans Act
ing Premier Mcmillan sounded the alarm in the
House yesterday. He said that the appropriation
bills were further behind than ever before, and
he desired that they should be disposed Of, so as
to enable the House to consider the Dark Lam
term bill. or course the Free Traders with one
accord cry: Randall is at his old trick again
had no right to give him the power to defeat
revenue reform by giving him that Craftsmanship
again.
It probably is true that never before were
the general appropriation bills far behind four
months after the beginning of a session. Only
cics from the last Congress, and each bearing the
title, bill to provide for certain urgent de
fcieneies' One bill "a very little one" has
bin. But is Mr.. Randalls committee more dere-
lict than othersp Certainly not Four years
ago, with the avowed purpose of Gripping Ran
dalls influence the Free Traders deprived the
Appropriations Committee OF jurisdiction over
six Of the general appropriation bills-consuar
post office and Indian. The Agricultural Com |
mttee already had jurisdiction of appropriations |
for the Department OF Agriculture, and the juris
dcton over river and harbor appropriations was |
transferred from the Commerce Committee to
the newly created Committee Oh Rivers and llar- |
bors. In other words, neither Mr.: Randall nor |
his committee can be held responsible IN any de- |
gree for tardy or prompt action on eight of the |
general appropriation bills
INACTIVITY OF FREETRADE CHAIRMEN
What is the present condition OF each one Of
those bills and who responsible for itp The
Consular and Diplomatic bill was reported to the
House from the Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb
ruary Z, by Chairman Belmont, and has remained
undisturbed on the calendar ever since Two
or three days ago Mr.. Belmont, who is an ardent
" revenue reformer" took the House into his
confidence and gave notice of intention to call
The bill up after the Pension Appropriation bil'
should be disposed Of, which action may take
place within a fortnight or three weeks.
The Military Committee of which that eminent
md ardent free trade advocate, General Towns
bend, Of Illinois, is chairman, has jurisdiction
Of two appropriation bills Military Academy
md Army. The former was reported February
7, and has been passed by the House. About
he time the bill was reported, however, General |
rOwnshend was credibly informed that his base
If supplies in Illinois was seriously threatened, |
md he dropped the appropriation bill as a matter
# minor Importance and hastened to the point
# danger, remaining until o week ago. And
20, of course, the Army bill has not been brought
before the House.
That stanch free trader, Colonel Herbert, of
Alabama, is chairman of the Committee on Naval
Affairs, which has charge OF the Naval Appro,
,riatiOn bill. The present condition OF the Dill
S unknown, but it certainly has not made lts
appearance in the House. Another earnest free
raider, Colonel Hatch, Of Missouri, is chairman
4 Agriculture. and therefore custodian OF the
Agricultural Appropriation BILL measure which
: still in an inchoate state in committee, and is
lot expected to appear in the House Tor some
ime to come.
That sturdy revenue reformer' Blount, of
ieorgia is chairman of the Post Office Committee
which has Jurisdiction over the bill making APP 7
for the postal service; but no such G
ill has been reported this session. Inc indian c
Committee has reported the Indian Appropriation y
ill the consideration Of Which was formally
egun on Thursday, and the River ana HarDof I
il-the biggest one ever framed-was repor'eo !
0 the House only yesterday. ;
Now it really does seem to SAVIOR OF ln)uStlce :
or the free trade leaders to hold Chairman Kan
all responsible for the laches Of Chairmen Bel, {
lont, Hatch Herbert, BlOunt, Peel, Blahcnafd
nd Townshend, all of whom are free traders,
acked by free trade majorites in the committee Q
ooms Why do not these statesmen bring Tor I
reputation bills over which the Pennsylvania Il
hercules has no controlr Chairman RandaIs l.
ommittee has been fairly industrious. IL nus I"
as to make up for the short comlngs Oh an the o
Their committees which have jurisdiction OF ap,, =
bills. Besides, the General ana
Urgent Deficiency bills, Mr.. Randalrs committee
roparcs the Legislative, Pensions, Sundry Clyll ana
district of Columbia bills, and 1t should BRING III
nd pass Notifications bill No such Din pc
anne law IN either session ol Une laoU HCgsIeo,
boyyn bv the present Reform" Administration II
} the Subject of national defence; Since the p
resent session began, the Appropriations Con- Gen,
,bich have passed 1t has also reported the PEN n
ion bill. and the District of Columbia bill, the e
liter a measure which involves vast amount "
{ investigation and labor and multitude OF ;,
etails In other words that committee has moro y
} show as the result of its labors than have five
Their committees each of which has only single y
Piatio "a
rec traders always deal in false pretencesp RI
Nv 'A'N al