The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-08
SESSION OF THE SENATE.
INFORMATION ASKED AS TO PUR
CHASES OF SILVER

An Amendment to the District OF
Columbia Appropriation Bill Cover
ing the Expenses of the Coming En-
campment of the Grand Army of the
Republic-The Matter Not Decided.
WASHINGTON, April AFTER the routine
morning business in tho Senate to-day a
resolution was offered by MIR. Teller, and
agreed to, calling on the Secretary Of the
| Treasury for a statement as to the
amount OF silver offered TO the
government each month since the
passage Of the act of July IA, 1890. by
whom and at what prices, the amount Of
silver bullion purchased each month Of
that time. from whom and at what price,
and the number of days given the seller in
which to deliver the silver.
The Senate then proceeded to oonsidera-
ton of the bill, making appro-
priations for the expenses of the
government of the District of Columbia.
The amendments recommended by the
committee on appropriations were all
agreed to. Then the bill was open to gen.
eral amendment The first amendment
offered was one by MIR. MCMILLAN from the
District of Columbia committee appropri-
ating SIS, 900 for tae reception and
entertainment of the next encamp-
rnent of the Grand Army of the ReDub-
lie in Washington, one-half OF the amount
to be paid from the treasury and the other
out Of the revenues Of the district, provided
that no part Of the appropriation shall be
available until 5000 has been raised by
popular subscription and expended Mr.,
Mcmillan offered for himself) a substitute,
appropriating 100000 for the same pur
pose.
Mr. Vest and Mr.. Harris spoke against
both amendments and the substitute.
Mr.. Cockrell offered an amendment that
the whole amount should be paid exclus>
lively out of the revenues Of the District Of
Columbia.
Mr.. MCMILLAN argued against Mr. Cock
relrs amendment, and so did Mr.. Higgins.
THE VETS NOT BEGGARs.
Mr. PETER did not agree to the assumption
that congress was under any obligations to
pay any sum of money to entertain the old
soldiers when they came to Washington. IL
it were, it would be under the same obi
cation wherever they held their national
encampment. He had been a federal sol-
der. He had served in the army three Of
the best years of his life. He had some re-
membranes of that great war which he
should carry with him to the bivouac
at the other side. He did not believe that
the old boys who wore the blue were beg
gars. He did not believe that they were
going about the country asking for hospi-
tally. But he did believe that when the
city or state Tor it might be the nation) in
vited the u. A. K. to come and partake of
its hospitality it should pay the expenses.
wAsHINGroN's INVITATION.
He thought that "the old boys" believed
Just that way about Washington. He I'M
IaVot,,Ot fha ha r0aoVNla nf pffy bod in
vited the old soldiers to come and hold their
national encampment here, had bid for
their coming, and had promised to entertain
them. But the citizens Of Washington were
not authorized by congress TO say that the
people of the whole nation would pay the
expense. That custom was growing in the
country. and 1t seemed to him
that, il the Senate were un-
able to stop 1t now, it should lnterpose,
at least. one mild objection. He would,
however. take one night to consider what
his old soldier friends of Kansas might ask
him to do in the matter. He would take
time TO think about it. And IL, in the end,
his vote should be in favor Of the appTopri-
ton, it would be under bis own pers onal
protest and in obedience to the wishes Of
those who stood behind him.
THE BILL GOES OVER.
The matter went over therefore, without
action, after Mr.. Hawley had given notice
of an amendment placing the expenditure
under the control OF the Secretary Of War.
During the discussion the bill to place
wool on the free list aud to reduce the duty
on wooden goods was received from the
House and after the district bill was laid
aside, the wool bill was laid before the Sen.
ate by the Vice President, and was referred
| TO the finance committee.
The Senate at 5:25 o'clock, after a short
executive session, adjourned till tomorrow.