Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-24
STEALING DISTRICT TIME.
Mr. Grout Arraigns Congress- for Its Injus-
tice to His Committee.


Mr.. Grout Arraigns Congress for Its Iniu.-
tice to His Committee.
rH MENTIONS IMPORTANT MEASURES THAT
sHoULD BIZ ACTED uPoS. BUT ron WHICH NO
TIME CAN BE HAD-MR. HrMPHnL SPEAKS
EARNESTLY IN BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT.
The discussion Of the deficiency appropria-
ton bill in the House yesterday caused quite a
httio debate on District matters and gave
Chairman Grout and other members Of the
District committee a chance to free their
minds in regard to the stealing of District time
in the House.
Mr. Grout started the fun when an item was
reached in the bill appropriating 1915 for GER
tain contingent expenses in the District. Mr..
Grout took this opportunity to draw attention
u toe shabby way in which the District had
been treated in the matter Of time. He made
quite an exhibit Of the bills Of the greatest I'M
portance to the District many Of which had
even come over from the Senate and for which
no time could be obtained He referred espe-
ciaily to the bill for the prevention Of fraudu-
lent transactions by commission merchants, for
which at present there was no adequate law.
THE RErUSDfSG BOND BILL
In regard to the bill for refunding the BONDS
VI DhtfiCb. VIC
bill would save the District o7er siO0.000 Of In
tersst. but still. because the District could OBJ
tain ne further time II must continue to pay 6
and per cent on these bonds, instead Of 81
per cent.
When the paragraph for clearing the mill tia
camp. &c. reached Mr. Bland exercised
himself He moved to strike the item out He
saw necessity for the appropriation and said:
What is the reason that Congress is TO be
called upon to appropriate one-half OF this ex-
pendituTe from the general funds, simply 10
give this District militia an opportunity TO
parade the streets of Washington, TO have
good time upon the camp ground and furnish
them with money for that purposeF
Mr.. Clements explained that the act Of 1888
establishing the National Guard of the District
required an encampment of not less than six
Gays. The appropriation was simply carrying
out existing law. As to the general question
Mr.. Clements said he agreed with Mr. Bland.
Mr.. Doeksry held that the original bill was
passed with the understanding that eXpendi-
lures for this purpose should be required.
Mr.. Bland said that such appropriations were
simply an invitation for these gallant gentle
men who wear shoulder straps and carry drums
and flies and strut around the streets of WASH
ingtOn n a matter of show to be paid for by
the taxpayers who are working in their corn
fields and shops. Mr.. BANDS amendment was
rejeeted-ayes, 81; noes, 81.
NECESSITY OF THE ASSESSMENT BILL
When the appropriation of s2.52 for the as
sessor's office was reached Mr.. Circuit again took
tine door and explained the great importance
OF providing a new plan of assessment, bill
for which he had in his hand.
Now. it is n lamentable fact" said Mr..
circuit, that since is's the personal property
tAs . Iar pN ,rans ahan. u.s. oo ooo ~ ln"s
$4,000 600. Think of it, while the population
has more than doubled. Then there is COM
plaint further a TO the inequality in the assess
i,ent of real estate This District committee
has carefully considered and reported a bill to
provide permaUent board of assessors. in order
toproyide Tor an eoual appraisal or a more nearly
eoI,al appraisal will saw of real estate: and
at the same time 10 put at the commander the
assessor OF the District such a force as will en-
able a suitable assessment Of the personal es-
tate of the District To be made"
Mr. Richardson asked how MANY District
,iays the committee had had durinp tlr session
and Mr. Grout replied less than half the r;les
eutitled them to,
vx vxv,. ,,or,u,
y - AZ. o. -,
"elerehee was H"ae w 'le Nne 'he einS!F
vanis railroad bill had consumed and Mr.G rout
said: with reference to the railroad bill, which
occupied SO much OF the attention of the
ih. S;,i want W say .n', hasI ny H',,ius 81 \.
before the Honse and AIR IL WAS brourIt here
the House itself was responsible for keeping it
here and wasting valuable time upon 1t, be-
La
ieconinteu 10 tne eoihiuittes WIN iHst, uI T
lions winch woui1 nave s,hpnneu he Wnoie
hiauer. Let the house understand 'hat-
Az INVITATION TO DINNER DECLINED.
Mr.. Grout then withdrew his pro forma
am-,amert and Mr.. Hemphill renewed IL and
-. ,nI,a~,. -. a, So, -.
INC P'.a, P"sseu
NJ. cannon Cnairma ! want 70 say 10
my iriend before ne does that that L nope ne
VIII let US nnisn TINS bli' ana tnat VIII give
some time tnen TOT your committee
MI HeInphii-i want 70 say that Is the cool
est oner that ever heard from an aoie-oodied
man IN my ne llanghter;l -,
Mr.. Cannon-f my friend VIII allow me L
want TO invite my friend from south carolina
and the gentleman IroH vermont (hr: trout
ana the gentlemen rem tennessee (Mr- Rich
ardson) TO dine with me this evening, and then
We VIII discuss these matters
MI Grout-lhe gentleman talks OF bread,
but fear. as heretofore. II would be stone
Mr.. Hemphill-I Will state 10 the gentleman
from Illinois that have already two engage
ments for the same hour and cannot accept
The Chairman-Ihe gentleman from South
Carolina declines the offer made by the gentle
man from Illinois. Laughter
MN urxpyu,-s ,ppxr
=.