New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-24
A FIELD DAY INsTHE HOUSE.
WIDE RANGE OF THE DEBATE ON THE
1EG1sLATIvE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
n WHOLE SESSION WASTED in IMP H"iiNh > 1
AND 1NcoNsEoUHNTIAL D1scUssloN-IHI
suBJpcT BEFORE THE HOUSE IGNORED.
INV rrrvcnApp TO TIE TKIBCSE1

I'll
,,x,ed g a field day. in the House Oh representatives.
80 - q nv No means unusual on such occasions, the
,,,,nc was wasted in impairment anu iiconscluohiai
debate IN regard to nearly every .H'"s Np- ,'
iect which was supposed TO be peioio uo i'oS0' ~
was the bill making appropriations LOT 'ne executive.
legislative and judicial expenses ., e0 ~., - ono
for the fiscal wear ending June 80 looi' As 10 oe
- a. Lie . money bills and must be passed, ana
- oo,rso n will be passed substantially as recon-
mcndcd bv the Committee on Appropriations mere
are a few items in ii which mishu pio'oNo ies'
debate like that, for example, "mch was atVaoheu
Yesterday by the opponents oil inc pic'en'
law and regulations and the administrator ''o'o'i'
, nch was 50 ably defended by Mr. Lodge, OF
massachusetts, in one of those erse ana concise YET
comprehensive arguments which the House has learned
10 expect from him whenever he rises 10 discuss any
question. ~ ,,,
Rnt tbera was no item in the bill which gave an
excuse for the bufoonery of Mr.. Allen, of Mississippi
which might have been appropriate in " free and
easys but which was wholly out Of place in the
House of Representatives. Neither was there an item
n give W. c. p. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, who is
a member of the Committee on Appropriations, pre-
text to charge the Senate with "usurpaton, because
n has exercised its undoubted right to amend ap
propriaton bill or TO give the same member an ex
cuse 10 rail at the rules Of the House. and things
about them which, to put it mildly, are not true.
Neither did the bill contain an item which bore the
remotest relation to the speech which was delivered
by General Kelley, of Kansas, and which caused such
an uproar among the Democrats although II must he
admitted that his provocation was great And yet II
seemed pity that he, and every other member OF inc
majority should realize that day consumed
in unneoes AIRY debate now is SO much clear gam 10
the minority. which desires, more than all el>c' ~
waste time and fritter away the session, so ta us
end shall be marked by a high monument Win
the fatal inscription: unfinished puSlhess
General KelIey's speech, although entirely pohlcal
in It's nature was candid one: but II created
tempest among the Democrats, some Of whom were
guilty of almost disgraceul well AS bolserous ana
inali.ng conduct. The Kansas Representatives
although unaccustoned TO such situation, Kept MS
temper and before he was through gave the Dem
ocrats more than they wanted. His reference to tho
.sasena,ion Of Judge Chis0m anG his daughter
fairly shamed the Southern bulldozer into silence.
and his retort TO the impairment question OF Iarsney
OF Missouri completely crushed that immature states
man.
Another feature Of the discussion was the snort
speech OF Mr. Featherston of Arkansas, In reply 10
Rogers, of the State. Mr. Featherston KNOWS
as much Democratic political methods III
Arkansas as Mr. Rogers Mr. Breckenridge, or any
other Democrat: and Of them Will be likely TO
forget his crushing rejonder TO Rogers today although
the debate had no relation to the bill under consdera
ton sketch of it Will be interesting, If for no
other purpose than 10 show the feelings which govern
Southern Democratic Representatives..
The pending question the motion Of Mr..
punneu of Minnesota to strike out the clause pro-
vding clerks for Senators.
Mr.. Breckinrldge of Kentucky. hoped that the
motion would he adopted. If the clause were TO be
placed on the bill ii should be done at the request OF
tho Senate and not be originated by the House.
The difference between the Senate and House was
RAPIDLY growing and the House largely response
bic for it.
Mr.. Butterworth of Ohio. said that the estimates
for Senatorial clerks had in in the usual way.
end had been acted upon in the usual way by the
Committee on Appropriations. II the senators wanted
the CLERKS let them have them. Representatives
ought also to have clerks.
Mr.. Byssklnrdse, of Kentucky admitted that 'he
Senators had need Of clerks than dd the KEEP
resentatives.
Mr. Kerr of Iowa. and Mr.. Holman. Of Indiana.
strenuousy objected TO any provision for giving
clerks TO Representatives. Mr. Cutcheon and Mr.
Allen Of Michigan took the other view. believing
that it would be Of benefit to all constituencies
The motion 10 strike out was lost--e5 to -.
In speaking 10 a verbal amendment. Mr.. Kelley, OF
Kansas replied to remark made by Sr. Aneii' "
Mississippi TO the effect that some of the newly
apno,nted postmaster in Mississippi had moved their
offices ont of the towns into the country. Thinking
that there must be reason for this, he 'Mr'
Kelley had gone the POstoihce Department ana
had been informed that i'll some places IL "d9 III"
possible for Republican postmaster to secure a
place in a town, and he Obliged TO go to the
country As an instance Of the manner IN "hch
some Republican rostmasters were treated III the
SOUTH Mr.. Kelley read letter from W. A. lihleN'
appointed in May, postmaster at AbDcVhle' = ~
who states that shortly after his appointment lie Was
set upon by mob, led by Ward :. Cotiiran, son OF
Congressman CothIan, and was beaten with bdrbcd
wire and ordered to leave tie town.
Mr. Enloe of Tennessee-Did you write the letter
for him
Mr. Keley-I want to state to the gentleman that
I did write the letter. Dcrsive laughter On Demo
ciatic sideJ wrote the letter at MS request
(Renewcd laughter)
Mr. Henderson, OF Iowa--If YOU stop your sneerng
and DENY the facts it will be better. Further laugh
ter on the Democratic side)
Mr. Kelev-The gentleman signed the letter in my
presence. 49,,
Mr. McMir.-why did he not write the letter
Mr. Religion account Of the outrage, ms arm j.
paralyzed. CDerisive laugher)
Mr. Kelley said that Mr.. Finley had made an ani-
asvit TO the facts Of the case which had been pup
lshed in The Philadelphia Press
Mr.. Kelley then proceeded 10 read from letters OF
southern postmastcrs TO First Assistant Postmaster
General Clarbson complaining Of Outraees.
Mr. breckenridge. Of Kentucky, inquired by what an
thorty Mr. Carkson lad turned over these papers to
the gentleman.
Mr. Kelley was unable 10 say what the Law was.
Mr. Byeckinridgc-In what way did the gentleman
obtain possession of the official papers OF the POST
Office Department.
Mr.. Kelley-I went TO Mr.. Clarlson and got the
papers from him with his free consent. did not
steal them.
Continuing. Mr.. Kelley said that he did not
with the gentleman from Mississippi In the lattcr's
criticism OF the President
He referred a speech which he made in Fort
Smith denounclng the Clayton murder, and stated
that he had received many letters from people in
Arkansas thanking him for it. ard had received
letter from Grand Army post incoSing resolution
Of thanks.
Mr.. Tsrsney. Of Missouri. inquired whether the
resolution contained any reference to the litigation
going on between the gentleman and his son against
colored congregation in Fort Smith. to prevent the
erection Of colored church, on the ground that it
a nuisance.
Mr.. Kelley denied that there any such litiga-
ton pending. lie did not a piece Of ground in
Arkansas.
Mcssrs NcRae Pnrcrs of ArLansac h1ucuer