Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-01

The House yesterday by vote Of 142 to IS
rejected Gen. Henderson's resolution instruct
ing the House conferees on the District Of Column
bia appropriation bill TO agree to an appro pria-
ton Of Sl00, 600 for the G.. A. R. encampm emit.
The proposition to instruct for less sum. to
be paid out Of the District revenues, failed also.
| and the conferees will have to 20 at 1t again
without instructions.
There was q very long and interesting debate
over this question after The Stars report
closed yesterday, and it produced most inter-
esting statement from Gen. Henderson respect
ing the relations Of the federal government to
| the District.
In stating the position of the majority Of the
House conferees Mr.. Dockery said: The issues
between the Senate and the House are two. The
first is as to the amount; the second is as to the
fund from which it is proposed to be paid The
position of the Senate is well expressed in the
substitute offered by my colleague from Iowa
(Mr. Henderson,, which proposes to appro-
pirate 600, 000 to be paid out of the general
treasury of the United States The attitude of
the House conferees, in a spirit. of compromise,
is expressed in the resolution which has been
offered by the gentleman from Minnesota chr.
Harries) appropriating S75, 1000, to be paid en-
tirely from the revenue Of the District Of Co
lumbia.
If the proposition submitted by the gentle
man from Minnesota should prevail it would
provide, in connection with the $4,000 to be
raised by the citizens total of S125 900 for en-
Pertaining the delegates who attend the Grand
Army encampment. This amount, in the judg
ment of the majority of the House conferees. is
ample when we remember that at Milwaukee
there was only expended on account of enter
tainment Of the Grand Army $4S, 915. At Bos-
ton the entire expenditure was S83, 693.67 while
at Detroit the total expenditure was only
S97, 1883.
THE INVITATION TO THE G. A. r.
Referring to the invitation Of the citizens to
the G.. A, r. Mr.. Dockery said: The citizens of
Washington invited the Grand Army to hold
their encampment here. In my humble judg-
ment, and with great respect to the good people
Of the city (for would not let aword fall that
would reflect either upon the city or upon any
citizen of it,. think the business interests that
extended this invitation should defray the cost
of the entertainment without asking either the
government or the treasury of the District of
Columbia for one cent. That is my view. But
there being precedent in the case of Boston.
pose OF this kind, and precedent in the case Of
Detroit, which made n contribution of $4,000.
the House conferees, in a spirit of compromise.
were willing to allow S75, 900 to be appropriated
for this purpose, entirely out of the revenues of
the District of Columbia.
man this question: Does it not appear to him
that the simple fact that this demonstration is
to take place in the national capital makes the
case essentially different from those which he
has instanced at Boston and other places?
Several members-Not at ALL
Mr.. Cooper--In other words inasmuch as SO
large body of the soldiers who defended the
capital will be here is it not proper that some
expression should be made on the part of the
government Of the United States on the occa-
sion, and is not the best way of giving such
expression the making of a suitable appropria-
ton for their entertainment?
Mr.. Recd-And will not the numbers in
attendance here be necessarily greater than at
either of the places which have been men
toned?
Mr.. Dockery-There is no question as to the
increased attendance. l alluded to that fact in
the opening of my remarks when said that the
proposed appropriation of $4,000 would pro-
vide fund $500 in excess of anyfund raised
and expended at any prior encampment.
Mr.. Heard-And is there any soGt of reason
why Congress should make any appropriation
to help in defraying these expenses except the
fact that Congress is the only authority which
can appropriate the revenues of this District?
MIR. Dockery-No reason whatever. This
proposition ought not to come here. and would
not come here, but for the fact that we.act as
Mr.. Heard-Exactly.
Mr. Dockery-The citizens Of Washington are
compelled to come here in order to secure their
appropriations.
Mr.. Dickerson-Is there any reason why. the
citizens OF Washington should be relieved Of
expense in this regard, because the citizens. of
Boston and other places have been relieved?
Mr.. Dockery-I have already stated that the
good citizens Of this District ought to defray
every dollar of this expense.
Mr.. Reed-But we pay ordinarily half the
expenses of the District of Columbia and why
ahn v,Nnka IN, h -,
Mr.. Dockery-The entertainment Of visitors.
care not how worthy they may be lis not q
Legitimate function of government.
Mr.. Reed-That is a matter of opinion.
Mr.. DOckery-Very WE'LL but it is INV opinion
that such an appropriation is not the exercise
OF any legitimate function OF government.
Mr. Butler-Does the gentleman from
Missouri consider that the appropriation of
public money for the entertainment of these
visitors at Boston OF Detroit was a legitimate
use Of the public funds?
Mr.. Dockery-I do not care to 90 into any
question as to local expenditures. The people
OF Boston invited the Grand Army to visit
them, and when it was found that individual
subscriptions were insufficient to provide for
their entertainment they made an appropria-
ton out Of their own funds. Now then, if this
appropriation is to be made it should be put,
exactly on ''all fours'' with the action taken au
Detroit and Boston: and we do so when We pro-
vide the necessary amount out of the revenues,
OF the District OF Columbia.
Mr.. Heard-That is right.
Mr.. Butler-Provided the money be givemat
all.
Mr.. Dockery-One other thing; and this is the
view which 1 took of the matter when these
gentlemen were before our committee Iwant
to deal in all frankness and kindness with these
good people; have no disposition to crfticise
them; yet am compelled under my oath to.
discharge my duty as 1 see it. Whenever VOC,
impose any part of this expenditure upon the.
people of the United States it operates to a GER.
tain extent Git matters not how remotely) as q.
tax upon the guests Of the city for their own en-
tertainment
= . 4 u
Mr.. Goodnight understand the gentlema,s
to FAY that he puts an appropriation by Con-.
gress out OF the District revenues on 'all tours"
with an appropriation by Boston or Detroit QUIT
Of their funds by their city council
Mr.. Dockery-I do.
Mr.. Goodnight would like to ask if he,
thinks 1t is the same thing for Congress to take
such action, in the case of a city like Wash ing
ton, where the poor people have no represe nta--
ton, for Congress to go on and make an ap, no
priatiou, taxing them this is proposin to
tax them. when the people of Boston or De-
troit are taxed by their own council, elected to
represent them and who do represent then in
the meetings of their boards?
Mr.. Dockery-Under the organic law of n 70
we are the representatives of tho people Of
Washington. / do not believe that there is a, ~
cd int hat