The herald., 1895-02-28
The Financial Issue Is lowering
Over Congress.
Mr.. GORMAN'S AMENDMENT
The Day Was Wasted in the House Oh
Minor Bills
Several Lively skirmishes in the senate
Among Prominent Members.
Finance the Theme

u. m, tomorrow. The financial issue,
which has hung like great menaclhg
cloud over the Sepate chamber for many
weeks was suddenly and permanently dls-
sipated today. For four hours there was
a storm of debate in which the most con-
spicuous financial figures OF the Senate
were listened to by crowded galleries
And then Mr.. German, whose financial
amendment had brought on the contest
Withdrew the proposition and the SUBJECT
was sunmarily disposed OF. A moment
later Mr.. Mills proposition to repeal the
laws authorizing the issuing OF bonds was
cut off by ruling of the chair that IL was
out of order. Thus the financial ISSUE
which had threatened serious delay TO
the appropriation bills, was unexpectedly
swept away. Mr.. Gorman made the prln-
cinal speech in advocacy OF the PROPOSE
tion for authorizing 800, 600, 900 of debt
certificates to meet the Treasury de-
tciencies.
Il make a point OF order against this
financial amendment on the ground that
it is general legislation, said Mr.. Berry.
Democrat of Arkansas.
Mr.. Hill offered a further amendment
thar hereafter all the treasury notes then
presented to the Treasury shall not be re-
issued, but cancelled.
Mr.. Hill rose to speak in explanation OF
his amendment. but Mr.. Mills insisted
on the rule and an immediate decision on
the point of order.
Mr.. Hill continued but was interrupted
with frequent suggestions that the debate
was out of order.
There was considerable disorder and the
Vice President finally requested the
Sergeant-at- Arms to see that order was
preserved.
The Vice President was about to decide
the point of order and had begun the
first sentence when Mr.. Mills interrupted.
Does the chair decline to submit the
question to the Senate? 1t is not only
customary but it is the rule, that ques-
tions of order shall be submitted to the
Senate and must insist that 1t be sub
mitted to the Senate.
The presiding officer paused in his de-
cision Then he said;
In view of the remarks of the Senator
from Texas, the question will be submitted
to the Senate.
He then directed roll-call and again
called ON the Sergeant-atArms with sutf-
cent force to maintain order. BY sin
gular parliamentary situation the order
for the vote made the order subject TO de-
bate, and Mr.. German addressed the Sen
ate. He said it had become evident that
there was to be no financial relief unless
it was made part of the appropriation
bill
Mr.. Wocott here interrupted with the
query: Has the Secretary OF the Treas
ury notified the Senate that he does not
want such legislation as this?"
That is the whole question, respond
ed Mr.. German, "and if the Senator will
permit me, | will in my own crude way
present the question of the Secretary S
necessity"
''Is the treasury in such condition that
it can provide for the wants of the Gov
ernment?" asked Mr.. German. Are the
revenues coming in sufficient to meet the
expenditures and the appropriations we
are making2 If our actual expenditures
are greater than our receipts, we cannot
afford to adjourn until we meet this
emergency unless Congress wants more
bonds sold to meet our obligations. )"
Mr.. German then unfolded an elaborate
table of figures.
II think l will be able to demonstrate, -
said German earnestly, that the Sec
retary OF the Treasury will have de-
f1ciency of $50, 600 900 for the calendar
year and $50, 600 600 for the fiscal year "
German said the secretary's reply to the
Senate stated that there was $l06, 600 00(
on hand available TO pay ordinary ex
penses. He (Gorman) knew there was
mistake, and he went to the treasury anc
said TO those who made up the report
'Your figures are misleading. You hav,
made mistake. " He called their atten
ton to the fact that they mad omitted
checks, drafts etc, outstanding. Thes
had been included in the monthly report
1t disclosed that there was annually $67
O0,000 available. There was a mistake o
$50, 000,000 to begin with. German thei
proceeded to itemize the immense sum
due for rivers and harbors, public build
ings, etc.
He also took the secretary's estimates O
receipts. He said the secretary estimate,
his total expenditures at $35S, 900, 900. Il
1898 the appropriations were $50, 600, 000
and already the House had appropriate
$374, 900, 600 for this year.
This Senate will add $50 900, 600. TIL
total will be $500, 900, $50, and the Senate
said he would stake his reputation that
would reach $400, 900, 600. At $3.50 .. M
Mr.. German rose in the Senate and with
drew his 500, 900, 000 certificate amend
ment 70 the Sundry Civil bill.
The Mills amendment declaring that n
more bonds shall be issued was declare
ont OF order without vote.
Mr.. Villas read executive commune;
tions indicating no alarm was felt of d,
iiciency. Mr.. German closed with an e
oquent appeal not to paralyze the oper;
tions Of the Government with the bull,
lug Of our navy and the erection of OF
public structures by failing to provide +,
all emergencies before the adjournment
Congress.
Mr.. Mills followed with q strong crit
cisu Of the isseing OF bonds. He spol
of the public abhorrence of a nation
debt. There was sharp colloquy betwe,
Mr. Fl i'll and Mr.. Mills as the latter di
eussed greenback>. In the course of
Dir. Mills asked pointedly What kind
l,oney do you believe in, any way?"
believe i'll the gold and silver of Il
Constitution, responded Mr. Hill.
am not a Greenhacker now and never ha
been