The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-02-23
WASHINGTON NEWS.
WHAT HAS TRANSFERRED DURING
THE PAST WEEK.
Discussing the Effect of tho Mckinley Tariff
Bill on the Farmer--A $50 100000 APP
priation-Other Washington News.

Discussing the Effect of the Mckinley Tariff
Bill on the Farmer-A $i5,600,00O APP
priation-Other Washington News,
WASHINGTON, February 15.-[Special.] T.
There was quite an interesting debate in
the house this morning over the resolution
for the agricultural committee to investi-
gate the effect of the Mckinley tariff bill
upon the farmers Of the country.
II gave tho alliance members an oppor-
tunity to be heard, and they were not slow
in speaking out for their constituents.
Colonel Moses and Colonel Livingston, of
Georgia, both made brief but telling two
Mr. Funston, of Kansas, a republican
member of the committee on agriculture.
opposed it, and the two Georgans attacked
him without gloves
Mr.. Moses, of Georgia, held that the far
mers of the country had the right to inform
congress what effect the tariff law had upon
thoir productions. The Mckinley bill was
not in the interest Of the farmer, "Farmer
Funston" TO tho contrary notwithstanding.
Mr.. Livingston, of Georgia, in a two
minutes speech, took issue with Mr.. Funston
as to the effect of the tariff law upon tho
farmer. The gentleman from Kansas seemed
to be afraid of justice. He (Mr. livingston
supposed that the committee on agriculture
was an honest body, and the imputation that
the gentleman made that it could not be de-
not justifable The farmers of tho country
would be heard OH this floor if not now, in the
next congress, and the gentleman from Kan
could take due notice.
The resolution was adopted, and out Of it the
democrats are quite apt TO make some good
campaign material.
Funston Gave Up.
WASHINGTON, February 19.[Specal.] J.
Farmer Funston, of Kansas, is one of those
unfortunate men whose mouth often gets him
into trouble. Mr.. Funston often makes state
mentS that he cannot prove, and these state
ments como back upon him to his great en-
barrassment at times. On Wednesday he
promised to resign his seat in congress If
a representative could prove statement
that he made. The statement was proven and
it cost Mr.. Funston $50 to bride one of his
brother members into keeping quiet and not
exposing his ignorance.
During the debate on the Indian appropria-
ton bill speech was made on the
this country and on the financial sys-
TEN of our government. In this speech it
charged that the government loaned money
to national banks at per cont interest, using
the argument that il the government loaned
money to banks there was no reason why it
should not lend to the people, In explanation
Of his statement that the government loaned
to banks at per cent interest, lie said that it
was loan. although in the law it was referred
to as tax OF per cent upon the circulation
of national banks.
At this statement, Mr.. Funston, in great ex-
element, arose and declared that it was I'M
true. eff you can prove your statement" said
Mr.. Funston, II will resign my seat in con-
gress i'll favor of member of your party"
This morning MIR. KEN, of Nebraska, an
allianceman, called Farmer" Funston back
into the lobby of the house, to have
private talk with him, during which he pro-
ducod copy of the national bank law, and
showed that the statement was cor
NJ
barrassed. He blushed, and then, running his
hand down into his pants pocket drew out q
new tfty-dOlar silver certificate and placed it
in the Nebraska allianceman's hand, saying:
'Kem, take this. I will not resign my seat,
but am willing to give up $50 for making
such an ass of myself provided, however, that
you don't expose me-
Kom folded the note up, inserted it in Lis
pocket and agreed to keep num- but it got
out within few minutes and the laugh is
now on Funston, who, besides being exposed,
is out new tfty-dolar bill.
Ex-senator Browns letter.
Senator Browns letter III Sundays CONsTI-
TUITION has created much comment here. In
deed. it has been freely discussed, and is
looked upon by every one who has read it as
one of tho most thorough and complete arti-
Giles that has ever been written by any one on
the question of the selection of democratic
candidate for president. 4 large maiorty Of
tho members Of congress believe with Senator
Fifteen Million for the Mississippi.
The senate committee on commerce has re-
ported bill appropriatlng $4,000, 900 for the
improvement OF the Mississippi river. The
senate will probably pass this bill, for the
senate never refuses any appropriation asked
for at its hands But the bill viii have a very
rough road to travel when it gets into the
house of representatives. Fifteen million dol
lars is an enormous amount of money to spend
III improving river. Indeed, it would seem
that a doable-track railroad could be built
parallcling the river almost from one end to
the other tor that amount of money.
The Atlantic Coast Line Subsidy.
The failure of Postmaster General Wanna
maker to recommend to tho poStoGice COM
mttce of tie house tho continuation Of the
dred-thousand-dollar subsidy to the
Atlantic Coast Line for carrying the Cuban
mails, has led to considerable discussion
For ten years past the Atlantic Coast Line
has received a subsidy of S2GJ, 600 annually for
running u fast train over its lines to carry the
northern mails to Tampa. Fla, and thence to
the West Indies. This subsidy has been in
addition to the regular amount according to
weights paid to railroads for carrying the
United States mail. There has been quite
protest from all the cities between Washing
ton and Tampa which are interested in this
schedule Of the Atlantic Coast Line. These
cities believe that if the subsidy is discon-
tinued the fast trains will DO discontinued, and
the mail service will not be so good.
In speaking further Of the mail facilities of
the south Mr.. Bell said that no section of this
country enjoyed better mail facilities than the
south and SOuthwest-.hat section of the coun-
try which the Richmond and Danville rail
road and its connections traverse. He was
even enthusiastic III his praise Of the excellent
management of the Richmond and DanviIle
system stating that its trains were as fast and
regular as could be expected, even We're they
subsidized.
Cotton Production In Alabama.
The census Office has issued the preliminary
statistics OF cotton production in Alabama,
compiled by Mr.. b. c. White, under the su-
pervision of Special Agent Hyde, i'll charge Of
the division of agriculture. The acreage in
cotton III that state in the years 1S50-o0 was
2,761, III; the number of bales produced Ql5,-
4I4, not including hnters; the average yield
per acre almost exactly one-third of bale, and
the total value of the crop to the producers
so, III. The figures reported at the tenth
census for tho years 1o70-80 were as
follows: Acreage, 1880 S6; number of bales,
699,65l, and yield per acre three-tenths of a
bale. No attempt was made at the tenth
census to ascertain the value of the cotton
crop which it reported, but il was estimated
by the department of agriculture a S35 $685.
$50. The figures now issued arc sub ect to
SLIGHT p1pdi catio in i,a