The herald., 1895-03-03
In THE HOUSE

In THE HOUSE
Lively Debate on the Sugar Bounty-other
Matters
Washington, March "A drizzling rain
was falling when the House entered upon
the last legislative day of the Fifty-third
Congress. Tomorrow Sunday is dies
non in legislation, and there is prospect
of a forty eight hours session ahead.
The pension bills favorably acted on at
last nights session were passed at the
rate of one every half hour.
Requests for unanimous consents were
made, but in nearly every instance objec-
tions were made. Finally Tucker, Demo-
crat, Virginia, was recognized to pass
bill under suspension of the rules, appro-
priating $17, 900 for Washington and Lee
University, to reimburse for injuries sus-
tanned during the war.
After some debate, in which Dolliver,
Hit and Powers argued the justice of the
claim, Mr. Reed protested against consid-
ering the bill on sentimental grounds in
stead OF on the grounds OF reason and
wisdom.
Whoever provokes war; said he.
"must take the consequences, even the
lawlessness which destroys institutions of
learning
Mr.. Sickles, Democrat, of New York,
under whose direction the repairs to the
Washington and Lee University were
made while he was in command of the
war, took issue with Mr.. Reed.
WAR was war;, said he. Its cruelties
are numerous. But when the war is over
we may rightfully go back to the procla-
nation OF Lincoln, which breathed the
broadest Christian sympathy and human
Use that institutions of learning and re-
ligion should be held sacred"
A round of applause followed this ap-
peal and the bill was passed without di-
vision.
The general deficiency bill was sent to
conference. Messrs. Breckenridge, Sayres
and Cannon were appointed conferees on
the part of the House.
Mr.. Hatch presented the conference re-
port on the agricultural bill, showing a
full agreement on all disputed points. The
report was agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Bland a resolution
was adopted designating the Secretary of
the Treasury, the Superintendent of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Direc-
tor of the Mints, committee to investi-
gate and report to the next Congress the
advisability of the adoption. of the decimal
system.
Mr.. Wise, Democrat, Virginia, then Of
fered resolution directing the Sergeant
alarms to pay to members the amount of
their salaries withheld on account of alb
sence. Under an old statute, members
were required to certify to their presence
in the House, and their salaries for such
days as they were absent, for other reasons
than sickness of themselves or families,
were withheld.
Mr.. Dearmond, in opposition to the res
olution, called attention to the fact that
the House had already voted an aye and
no vote on the subject He thought the
House was trying to backslide.
''It is much in fashion," said he sar-
castically, 'during the closing hours of a
dying Congress, to make ample provision
for its members by it's members"
Messrs. Bynum and Boatner supported
the resolution and Messrs. Mallory and
Williams opposed it. A vote resulted in
14S to GA, fourteen answering present"
but not voting. The speaker decided that
two-thirds of those present had not voted
for the resolution and declared it lost.
Mr.. Holman presented the conference
report on the Indian appropriation bill
showing partial agreement. The report
was agreed to and the bills sent to fur
ther conference.
At 6 o'clock the House took recess
until clock.
At O'Clock, when the House recon-
vened, the galleries were crowded with
visitors and the scene on the floor was an
animated one. Sayres presented the con-
ference report of the sundry civil appro-
priation bill. In explanation of the re-
port, Sayres said the Senate had added
House. OF this the Senate had receded
from$1 $751; 381 and the House had agreed to
50, 473, 000 leaving $5, 700 900 in dispute.
Among the provisions to which the
House refused to yield were the Senate pro-
vision for the retirement of revenue ma
fS,,o, No. ,,,o+, - OpN
for the purchase of the site of the Blaine
residence, the S., 900 for the sugar
bounties, $125, 900 for the Tennessee expo
stion, the Senate provision for the inves-
tigation and survey of the Nicaragua
Canal route, $121, 900 for the purchase OF
additional ground for the printing Office
and the Senate amendment providing for
bimetallic conference. The report was
agreed to.
Mr. Sayres was asked to further act on
conference to settle the disagree
ments specified.
The amendment relating to the retire.
ment of revenue officers was the occasion
for speech from Clark of Missouri, who
defeated bills for similar purpose on two
previous occasions. He insisted that to
retire the officers of the revenue cutter
service was a step in the direction OF the
establishment of an active pension list
Mallory, Democrat OF Florida, made an
earnest plea in favor of agreement to the
amendment. 1t was finally decided that
the House insist on its disagreement to
that portion of that amendment relating
to the retirement of revenue marine Off
GERS and agreed to the provisions for
revenue cutter for service on the Pacific
coast to cost 5000, 030
The House receded from its disagree
ment to the amendment for the payment
of $125, 900 to the victims of the Ford
theater disaster.
Then contest came on over the Senate