Morning journal and courier., 1891-02-25
THE FIFTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.

The Sundry Civil Appropriated
Bill Under Consideration in the
Senate-The Direct Tax Bill Passed
by the House.
WASHINGTON, D. G. Feb. 24.-After the
transaction of unimportant business the
senate went into executive session, at the
the close of which the sundry civil appro.
priation bill was taken up.
The first items which provoked discus
sion were the amendments of the COM
mittee in relation to the Worlds Colum-
bian exposition.
Mr.. Mcpherson referred to the large SAL
aries which the officers of the exposition
had voted themselves, and inquired
whether the committee on appropriation
had taken any position on the subject.
Mr. Allison replied that under the act
organizing the exposition 5000, 900 had
been appropriated for the use of the COM
and that the commissioners had
gone on in the expenditure of that money
for the current fiscal year. The committee
had reported an amendment for a limited
during the next fiscal year
and in order to make the plan proposed
for these officers next year apply to the re-
mainder of the present fiscal year, it was
necessary to agree to that amendment.
The question of the cooperation of women
in the exposition was discussed at consid-
cradle length by Messrs. Plumb, Hawley,
Call and German.
Finally the vote was taken and the COM
mittee's amendment agreed to.
The paragraph authorizing the use OF
unexpended balances for the prevention Of
epidemics gave rise to long discussion.
Mr.. Chandler moved to place furthe,
sums at the disposal of the president fol
the same purpose-the whole amount Of
the expenditure for the year not to exceed
$3.50, 900.
In an impassioned speech Mr.. German
denounced Mr.. Chambers proposition as
an atrocious one, as giving the president
an unlimited use of money and as more
dangerous to the people than an epidemic
of cholera, yellow fever or smallpox would
be.
That remark was referred to by Mr.
Chandler as more "atrocious" than wha
had called it out, and as showing thu
necessity of doing something-also to pre-
vent the spread of the presidential fever
Mr.. Chandler's amendment was agreed
to.
At O'Clock after Ga of the lis pages OF
the bill had been disposed of Mr.. Cameron
arose and presented resolutions expressing
the profound sorrow with which the SEN
ate had heard of the death of the late
Representative Watson of Pennsylvania
and suspending business so that fitting
tribute might be made to Mr.. Watson
memory. Remarks in eulogy of the de
ceased member were made by Messrs
Cameron and Vest and then as a further
mark of respect the senate at 5:15 ad
jourued till tomorrow at II a. m.
The journal was approved without delay
or obstruction.
Mr.. Mckinley of Ohio, from the com
mittee on rules, reported a resolution TO
the immediate consideration of the direc
tax bill, the previous question to be con
sidered as ordered at 2 O'Clock or as sool
thereafter as this resolution may go int
effect.
After debate and the acceptance and re
lection of one or two amendments, the bill
was passed by vote of 172 to 101.
Mr.. Boutelle of Maine presented tn
conference report on the naval appropria
rion bill.
Mr.. Herbert of Alabama made An argu
ment in opposition to the proposition pre-
viding for the sounding of the Pacii
ocean between California and the Hawaiia
islands for the purpose of ascertaining tn
practicability Of laying cable between tn
two countries.
Mr.. Boutelle of Maine replied that tn,
proposition had nothing to do with tn
laying of Hawaiian cable, but simpl
gave an appropriation for the purpose G
ascertaining whether such cable coul
be laid. IF the amendment of the senat
had been couched, as it might have beer
IN general terms for the sounding of th
Pacific ocean no objection could have bee
raised against it.
The report was agreed to-:
The speaker appointed Messrs Caswel
E. B. Taylor of Ohio and Mr.. Oates as col
ferees on the direct tax bill.
A disagreeing conference report on tt
District of Columbia appropriation bill W.
agreed to, and further conference W,
| ordered.
The house then adjourned.