The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-07
PORK IN THE POT.
Messrs. MiiIiken and Cannon Enter
tain the House.

TAIN tttO ttOdSOs
WASHINGTON, March Gin the House to-
day. the entire morning hour was consumed
in discussion of the bill for compulsory at
tendance of witnesses before registers and
receivers of land offices. No action was
taken.
Mr.. Lawler of Illinois presented the petit
tion of 5000 railway postal clerks, praying
for an increase of salary.
The House, in committee of the whole,
proceeded to the consideration of the public
building bills. The first bill appropriates
$275,00O for the purchase of site for the
city post office in Washington. D. G., and
thereon to cost 100000. After some discus
sion, Mr. Cannon offered substitute for the
bill, leaving the selection of the site in the
hands of commission composed of the Sec
retary of the Treasury, Postmaster General
and Secretary of the Interior. The substi-
tute was lost, and the bill laid aside with
favorable recommendation.
In the course of the discussion, Mr. Ken
nedy of Ohio said he was crowded off the
committee on public buildings and grounds
because he had questioned the wisdom of
the location recommended.
Mr.. Lshlback of New Jersey thought this
statement unfair to the Speaker.
The bill appropriating 100000 for pub
Of vigorous attack from Mr.. Cannon, who
criticized the action of the committee on
public buildings and grounds who allowed
as pork" to his town OF DanVille, Ill, a
post office site. leased for 500 year. That
was sufficient for post office building there
when the business was more than the aver
age business of towns In which the commit
tee provided for the erection of public build
ings.
that the gentleman's town was cheap town.
Mr.: Cannon "If the gentleman de-
sends"
Mr.. Milliken-"No 1 am simply admitting
the truth of your own argument"
Mr.. Cannon said that from the uDeasness
and restleSsness of the gentlemen from
Maine, when any one criticised his commit
tee, it would seem to be treason to the gen.
tleman and humanity to do so. When, in
good faith, he called attention to the apprO-
priations made by these bills, the gentleman
INDUCED In wit which was cheap, If not con-
temptible. The Republicans had told the
country that under the new rules desirable
legislation would be speedily enacted, yet
these rules were not in force month before
a special order was made for the considera-
tion of public building bills. He would con-
tent himself in voting against those bills his
judgment told him were notproper. The
gentlemen must answer to their constituents
for their votes. Ii members constituency
would excuse him when he told them he had
got for them $4,000 or 100000 in compensa-
tion for imprOvidelt appropriations, he sup
posed it was all right. Laughter.
Mr.. Milliken said he would endeavor to get
along with his con stituentS without the lee
ture of the gentleman from Illinois. Ii it were
| not for his friendly feelings towards the gen.
| tleman from Illinois, he would suggest furth-
| er that he had never seen man attempt to
| impute to another man that he had pork in
the pot" that he was not the first fellow to
| get hand into the pot Laughter.
Mr.. Cannon, approaching Mr.. MillikeD,
| asked the gentleman to explain the last re-
mark. Did the gentleman mean to say that
he Mr.. Cannonl had asked or intimated
that he desired the committee to recommend
| any bill.
Mr.. Milliken suggested that it was fool
| ish thing for a man to ask another man
whether he mad done thing which nobody
| expected he had done. He was entirely
| responsible for what he had said.
Mr.. Cannon understood the gentleman to
| say that he never knew man to cry stop
thief" that was not trying to steal some
| thing.
Mr. Milliken said the gentleman had Sc
verely reflected upon the committee and had
talked about having pork in tie pot" He
| lMr. Milliken] did not say the gentleman
had pork In the pot" but he did say that
were it not for his friendly relations with the
| gentleman, he would make a general re-
mark that the man who cried out stop
thief" was the first to steal. He did not de-
sire personal controversy with his friend,
but when the gentleman attacked the COM
mittee in the way he did, he was justified in
his reply. He did not seek quarrel with
his friend but would not run away from it.
| Mr.. Cannon said he had criticised the COM
mittee as he had right to do. He had
not criticized the gentleman personally, nor
had he imputed aught against the integrity
| of the gentleman. In his 16 years of service
| no man had heard him impute ausht against
the personal character of any member. The
| legislative recommendations ofimen and com
mittees were subject to criticism. 'If the
| gentleman" said Mr.. Cannon, "in his zeal,
| sought by inuendo or intimation to allege
that il it had not been for his friendly rela-
tions with me he could urge aught against
my character or otherwise, here and 9
Uttering these words, he slowly approached
Mr.. MilIiken, and, as he finished his SEN
tence, tapped that gtntleman on the .shoul-
der amid the laughter of the House
| Throughout the cOllOquy, both gentlemen
manifested good deal of excitement. The
| House was very good humored and thorough
ly enjoyed the controversy, which ended BY
Mr.. Milliken disclaiming any intention Il
insinuate anything against the gentleman
who, was as nearly perfect as any man In tn'
world.
After further debate, the bill was lait
aside favorably, the committee rising, ant
It, with the preceding bills, was reported t.
the House. In the House, Mr.. Cannon made
vigorous fight against the Washington pos
office bill. moving to adjourn amid cries o.
dllatory notion" the Democrats raising
tne point OF no quorum, and amid shouts ol
nloustering" from the same source. The
passed as were the other bills reported favor
| ably. The House at sjY o'clock adiournad