The Indianapolis journal., 1892-05-01
PARsIMONY REBUKED.
NIr. Cummings Fires Hot Shot at the Heads
of Hi. Democratic Colleagues

Mr. Cummings FIRES Hot shot at the Heads
of His Democratic Colleagues.
WASHINGTON. April 30.-AlthouRh Mr..
. Hit. of Illinois, was not successful in re-
storing the salary of the minister to Vene-
zuels. by clever tactics he succeeded in re-
storing to Denmark her separate mission.
He did this by allowing the Democrats
from the Northwest, where the Scandina-
vans constitute large part of the popu-
lation. to do much of the talking Tne
amendment was proposed by a Republican
MIR. Post of Illinois and was warmly
advocated by him. but its impressive
strength came from the Democrats. Mr..
Batter. of Iowa. who had prepared q SIM
iier amendment. led the fight, and so many
other Democrats followed his lead that Mr..
Blount thought it polltic to yield gracefully,
and surrendered without a voting struggle.
Then the New Orleans-Italy lmbrOgliO
presented itself, through the diplomatic
emergency APPROPRIATION. The President
was subjected TO much adverse criticism
for his action in paying the Italian indem-
NIFTY out of the emergency fund. But as
the emergency fund Is in the nature of O
secret-service appropriation it cannot be
definitely stated how II Is expended. An
amendment made by Mr.. Chapman. of
Michigan, prohibiting the use of this money
In settlement of claims of foreign countries
was passed over.
This was an ideal day for the races, and,
as a consequence. there were not one hun
dred members present when the Speaker
called the House to order at noon. The
House by unanimous consent went into
committee of the whole. Mr.. Oates. of Ala
bama in the chair. on the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill, the amend
ment being that offered by MI. Hit, of Ill
Inois, restoring to 1900 the salary of the
minister to Venezuela. which the bill pro-
posed TO reduce to 5000. The amendment
was lost-l9 TO 149.
Mr. Post, of Illinois. offered an amend
ment restoring Denmark as q separate mis-
$500. Messrs. Post. Butler, Lynch. Bush
nell and Hit favored the amendment.
Mr.. Blount asked unanimous consent
that debate on the amendment be consid-
cred as closed.
Mr. Cummings, of New York. vehement
ly objected, whereupon Mr.. Blount moved
that the committee rise for the purpose of
closing debate.
That is on the line with the spirit of the
committee that drew this bill" said Mr..
Cummic gs Indignantly.
The committee has a spirit as lofty as
that of the gentleman" responded Mr.
Blount warmly.
And one TAR more psrsimonious and
mean" retorted Mr.. Cummings.
The gentleman is often in that attitude
TO the majority" was Mr.. Blounts rejoin-
der.
Finally NJ. Blount withdrew his motion.
stating that his only object In making il
was TO facilitate action on the bill
Mr.. Cummings being accorded the floor,
said that he would vote for the amend
ment He wanted 70 rebuke this House
FOR spirit of parslmOny which was exhib-
1ted in the ondeaver to consolidate the
Danish and Swedish missions. In the
Fifty-hrst Congress there were just as
many members scandinavian born as there
were members born in Ireland and Ger
many. This bill. so far as 1t concerned
these nations. was an insult to two million
nf mn Saar 6tn
mittee on foreign affairs had done injustice
not only TO the people of Denmark, whose
patton was monarchical. but TO our sister
republics of south America. Again he
meant really. virtually. legislation in favor
pr the rich, and against the poor laDplause
pm the Republican sidel for, by reducing
ihe salaries of ministers aud consuls, the
pffices were placed in the hands of pluto
Gratis and taken from the hands of the edu-
fated. honest laboring or professional man.
Vie appeals to the House not 20 place his
government IN q position where IL would
be regarded by all countries as the one ma
3ional miser of the world. Applause.
Mr.. Blount said that rs it seemed that
there was q strong disposition on the part
or the members to retain Denmark as q
separate mission. he would not press his
opposition to the amendment. The amend
ment was adopted.
Mr.. Blount offered al amendment reduc-
ing from SS0,0 TO 1000 the appropriation
for meeting unforeseen emergencies arising
in the diplomatic and consular service.
Thediscussion which arose upon the amend
ment brought the Italian question TO the
fore through criticisms made upon the
payment OF the Italian indemnity out Of
the emergency fund. Mr.. Breckinridge. of
Kentucky. and Mr.. McMilln criticised the
PRESIDENT for committing the government
so the doctrine that for q riot In q State
Che United States was responsible. and for
paying indemnity out of fund never in
tended for the purpose
Mr.. HIT defended the President.
Mr. CbiDman. Of Michigan, offered q pro-
viso that no part of the snm appropriated
as an emergency fund shall be paid 10 any
power In settlement of any claim against
the United States. No action was taken
on Mr. Chlpman's provIsO, and the CON-
mlttee rose and the House adjourned.