Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-29

THE MOTION GOES OVER.
Shortly before the House adjourned yester-
day Mr.. HemphilI offered an amendmentto the
proposed rules. the purpose Of which is to
place the District appropriations bill In the
hands Of the District OF Columbia committee
After offering his amendment Mr. Heuphill
said: would like to state to the House that
the object of this amendment is to take from
the committee on appropriations the bill which
makes appropriations for the expenses OF tho
District of Columbia. and at the proper time
will move further amendment 10 the rule, II
it is agreeable to the House. 10 confer upon the
committee known as the District OF Columbia
committee the right to recommend appropria-
lions for the District expenses.
1 do this for the reason that the committee
upon the District of Columbia il charged with
all legislation connected with this District, and
1t Is practically impossible for the District CON-
mi;tee to control affairs in the District of Co
iumbia in way which will meet their own
judgment and the judgment Of this House I'M
less there Is given TO them also the power TO
look into and recommend the appropriations
of money for the District When first came
to Congress, and for manv years prior to that
time, the committee on appropriations had
charge of all the appropriation bills that were
introduced into the House. This was
subsequently, changed that every
department of this government the
legislation for which went 10 mr.
ticalar committee. should look to that commit
tee also to have charge OF the recommendation
Of the appropriation. The committee on naval
affairs have charge of the appropriation reiat-
ing TO nava! affairs. The appropriations tor
the army are given to the committee on mill
tary affairs. The appropriations for the In
dams are in charge of the committee on Indian
affairs. That has been the practice of the
House FOR number of Congresses past and it
Is provided In the rules ROW proposed that 1t
shall be continued.
80 REASON WHY THE RULE SHOULD NOT APPLY
So TAR rs know there is no reason why this
rule should not be applied TO the District of
Columbia. have never been able TO under
stand any reason for this exception and none
has been assigned. When the rule was first
changed it was TO some extent an experiment,
and therefore the House went at it with some
degree of caution: but the experience of the
House has shown tina. II is a good thing to put
into the hands Of the committee which has
charge of the legislation relating to any matter
the charge also of the bill which shall control
the amount of money tina. department Of the
government is to receive. The rule has been
heretofore for tho committee on appropria-
tions to refer the District of Columbia appro-
priation Bill to a subcommittee consisting of
live, and think it will be conceded that thir-
teen or fifteen members Of this House can as
well take care of that appropriation bill as can
subcommittee of five.
Now do not propose to go into this to any
great extent; but in the last appropriation bill
there was an appropriation of S400, 900 for
work contracted with reference to the improve
ment OF the streets Of this city. There was an
other for the Improvement and repair of alleys
and sidewalks, and tho construction of sewers
and sidewalks of SI60 00O; and IL is impossible
Mr.. Speaker, that these things should be SO ad-
justed as to work out the best results when in
the hands of different committees.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS.
have referred to simply two items in the
appropriation bills Of the last Congress for the
District of Columbia. The question as to the
improvement of these streets is a very great
one. 1t involves a large amount Of money,
and it does seem to me that If We are to have
any improvement in the tax affairs of this Dis
trict; If there is any prospect OF bringing the
expenses down to a legitimate amount, If they
have been excessive, the matter should be put
into the hands of a committee which, under
| the rules and practice of this House. is charged
with the consideration of these matters.
1t is a fact well known to members of this
House who have served in former Congresses
that provision was made here for the construc-
ton of water works for this city; that the gov
| eminent undertook to make appropriations for
! that purpose and divided the expenses equally
between the District and the general govern
| ment. The officers went to work under this
| law and spent between two and three millions
| of dollars After proper examination OF the
| work ii was found that the scheme adopted was
| an absolute and complete failure from begin
ming to end. 1 say, Mr.. Speaker, that these
| improyideDt, nnwise expenditures are found,
whether done by one committee or another
and do not propose to reflect upon sny COM
mittee in the matter. 1t is only sample, at
least it is only cited to illustrate the Importance
of the legislation connected with this District
and the importance of putting it in the hands
Of m ha re-
sponsible to the public for It.
APPEALS AS TO PUBLIC ExPENDrTuREs.
As the chairman of that committee in the Fiji
tieth Congress and in the present Congress,
have often had appeals made to me with refer
ence to the public expenditures which could
not in any way consider, and on which l could
make no Recommendation. so far as the work
OF my committee was concerned. majority
of the people believe that the committee ON the
District of Columbia has charge Of the appro-
priation bills. Now, it is natural that 1t will
be opposed by the committee on appropria-
tions. Members know that we all like to get
control of the business of this House. 1t seems
to be part of our nature, and it is peculiarly a
symptom, may say, of the men
who go upon the committee on appro-
priations TO think their committee is
the one above all others. and that it should
have control Of everything in connection with
this House. l think every one here who has
IHU any eApeTlenCt Will Dear me OUT In the OBJ
serva;ion that if the committee On appropri-
| ations Composed as it is today or composed Of
any other thirteen members Of this Housed,
were left alone to take the business they
thought they ought to have, they would take
| every single bill introduced here for consider
alton by this body.
Therefore, want to say to the House in ad-
vance OF the remarks of the gentleman from
Indiana, Mr.. Holman. who has wonderful alb
sorbent power as chairman of that committee
here, that unless some good reason shall be as
signed why the committee on the District Of
Columbia should not be treated by the same
rule that governs other committees, the APP
preparations for the District should go to the
some reason can be assigned why five gentle
men are wiser than thirteen, and why these
duties should be divided up between two diff
ferent committees, neither one of whom feels
absolutely responsible for the whole business,
think it wouid be wise thing to put this ap-
preparation bill into the hands of one committee
and make them responsible for the legislation
and likewise responsible for the expenditures
is carries.
Mr. HoLMAN's OPPOSITION.
Mr.. Holman opposed the amendment Re
said he was sure that if the committee on ap-
preparations believed that it would be benefi-
cial to the public service that the committee
on District of Columbia should have control OF
the appropriations for the District, that CON-
mittee would very gladly assent to the propo-
sition of the gentleman from South Carolina.
Suealinp for myseif he said I Wouid consept