The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-17
The LAST OF TAB THIRTEEN.
The General Deficiency Appropriation
Bill Completed.
AMOUNTS TO OYER SIX MILLIONS.
No Appropriation for the Behrlng See Con.
trovsrsy-secretsry Gresham Thisks
the Lump sum ought to be Paid-Mr.
Nsili Opposed iss Payment.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Feb. is.-The
general deficiency appropriation bill, the
last of the thirteen regular appropriation
bills, was completed by the Appropria-
tions Committee and reported to the
House to-day. The appropriations made
by the measure are to supply the den-
ciencies for the year 1895, and prior years.
and amount to s6,5ls.574.
In addition to the appropriation made
by this bill. ss,Ssis2i has been appro-
priated by the present Congress TO sup
ply deficiencies.
No appropriations to pay the claims
arising out OF the Behrng sea contro-
versy Is made by the bill. Secretary
Gresham sent to the House an estimate
of $4,000 for the payment by the United
States for full satisfaction Of all claims
which may be made by Great Britain for
damages growing out of the controversy
as to the seals In Behring sea or the
seizure of British vessels engaged In TAX
ing seal in those waters"
This estimate was considered by the
committee, but. owing 10 the lateness OK
its receipt was not incorporated in the
bill The committee did not have time TO
examine into the matter, and its MEM
bers had TO decline to vote for or against
the proposition until It's examination could
be made Although IL was not placed IN
the BILL Il was decided TO allow Mr..
Breckenridge to offer II as an amend
ment to the bill when taken up by the
House This privilege does not In any
way commit the committee, as It's, mem
bers are free to support or Oppose II on
the floor.
SECRETARY GRESHAM EXPLAINS.
In submitting the matter Secretary
Gresham says the agreement to pay a
lump sum OF Si25, 900 in full settlement OF
all demands authorized 10 be made under
the treaty was made by this Government.
This amount he says, Is considerably be-
low the damages claimed by Great Brl-
tain, exclusive of interest for a number
OF years. Including the request for the
allowance. he says: "If this arrangemeUt
does not receive the approval OF Congress
and the disputed questions are submitted
to an international commission II II be-
leved that the amounts allowed ana the
expense of the tribunal including wit
nesses and the taking OF their testimony
will largely exceed $1,000 I'm view or
all the facts and what may be reasonably
expected as the result Of commission
the undersigned submits that a prompt
and final settlement of the vexatous con-
tfONefSy Dy an appropriation VI iiS i"A"P
sum agreed upon Is advisable.
Among the appropriations authorized
are the following: Public building -
Charleston, ). G., to complete, Sw.ooo;
Tallahassee, Fla, to compete, ShVW,
Wilmington, Del, to complete. $4,000.
y4"sp MArHEs ga 10 gijs~-~'
The discussion ~ tie committee over
the Behring sea estimate was precipltate1
by Mr.. NELL, of Massachusetts, VINO op'
posed ii In strong terms. lie ciailheu
with some heat that he had .ather go %
war with Great Britain than make TINS
payment. He said, In effect. that Grea'
Britain was always ready TO afbitratt
with any country as big as hersef, ana
the representatives on the part cf ths
United States at the tribunal OF Pari'
were outwitted by British representatlve
Great Britain. he asserted trains her dip
lomats carefully, and they are now
among the ceyerest In the world. The
other memb rs OF the tribunal, being
themselves citizens Of moa9r ,hies, were
naturally more in sympathy WIN Great
Britain than with the American Repub-
lie. Ii was contended 10y some of the
other membership that we had agreed
10 be bound by the findings oi the trs-
buna, and that we We're In duty pound
to nav the award. Mr.. Nell ns.ste ]
thai such payment 10y the United Sta.es
would be a mistake. At all events, there
was no occasion for haste IN the matter
while the claims OF so many or our
own citizens remain unpaid
It Is not doubted that from Mr.. Neilrs
opposition in the committee, when the
appropriation Is offered as an amend
ment I'm the House, IL VIII pass.
House bill authorizing the Biloxi and
Back Bay Railroad Company to build
bridge over Biloxi Bay was passed.