The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-21
SESSION OF THE SENATE.
The Legislative Appropriation Bill
Again Taken Up.

WASHINGTON, June 20.-In the Senate
to-day the postoffice appropriation bill aud
the consular and diplomatic appropriation
bill were reported and placed on the
calendar.
Consideration of the legislative appropria-
ton bill was resumed, the question being
on the point of order made by Mr.. Allison
against the amendment to increase the
salary of the commissioner of the land
Office from "a, 600 TO s., 900, and that of the
assistant commissioner from 5000 to
$500. The Vice President submitted the
question to the Senate. and the amendment
was declared to be in order. the vote stand
ing: Yeas SO, nays H. The amendment
was then agreed to, the vote standing:
Yeas 2S, nays 10.
THE SENATE STABLES.
Mr.. Harris moved to insert an item of
81. .440 for the superintendent of the Senate
stables. Discussion took place on this item,
in the course of which 1t was stated by Mr.
Allison that there were more employees than
horses in the stables, and by Mr.. Hale
that If the establishment belonged TO a
private individual there .would be but one
man to attend to it. The amendment was
ruled out of order
The motion by MIR. Ddah to increase the
compensation of the syrteyor general of
Oregon from 81 800 to $500 was made the
text of speech by Mr.. Allison against the
general movement to increase salaries. He
spoke Of the complaints whether Just or
otherwise) against the exfravagance of the
Senate, at time, too, when there was pre-
vailing over the country q belief that those
who were engaged in Industrial pursuits
were not receiving fair compensation, and
when great many people were suffering
from low prices and little employment. He
appealed to the senator's on both sides not
to go on increasing salary after salary.
PLUMB DENoUNCEs THE RxTRAvAGANCE.
Upon an appeal from the. decision of the
presiding officer ruling out of order an in
crease of salary Of one of the Senate clerks,
discussion took place, in the course of which
Mr.. Plumb spoke of the extravaganza of
the Senate In the matter Of its
employees. The expense now, he
said, was at least 100000 year
more than it ought to be- The evil was
growing every year, and it would soon
become SO great that it would become a
political issue, and he would not be sur
prised il men were soon elected to the SEN
ate on pledge of ruthlessly and relentlessly
applying the knife to expenses around
the Senate. The force Of the Senate en-
ployes was extraordinary and extrava-
CANT.
The discussion was participated in by
Messrs. Dawes, Morrill,, George, Harris and
Call. Finally the appeal from the decision
of the chair was laid on the table. The bill
was then formally reported TO the Senate
and the anendments made in committee of
the whole were agreed TO.
GEoLoGIsT POWELL ATTACKED.
A long contest arose over the effort of
Mr.. Stewart TO have stricken from the bill
an item of $1,000 for the salary Of the ex-
ecutive officer of the geological survey.
Mr.. Stewards amendment to this effect was
rejected once, but was renewed later. A
good deal of debate was directed to an at
tack upon Supt. Powell, personally and
professionally, by Mr.. Steward and others,
and a vigorous defense of him by Messrs.
ingalls,. German and Others.
Reference having been made to a news
paper interview, in which Maj. Powell
spoke disrespectfuny of Mr.. Stewart and OF
the Influences which inspired his opposition.
Mr.. German said that the newspaper press
would misrepresent any one. A large part
of the press did not believe that there was
an honest man in the legislative or executive
branch of the government He paid no at
tention to what the press said of Mr..
the discussion the amendment was with
drawn by Mr.. Stewart. The bill was then
passed.
Mr.. Edmunds offered resolution, which
went over till tomorrow, for the appoint
ment Of committee of seven senators to
take into immediate consideration the state
of the Senate, and to report as early as may
be what measures should be adopted in
respect of the greatest efficiency and
economy Of the service.
The Senate then ad lOIwned