The Washington times., 1895-02-01
FUNDS FOR DISTRICT USES
Appropriation Bill Under Consid-
Grafton in The Senate.
POLITICS IN THE DEBATE
Senator German Explains the Necessity for
Increases Made by the Committee-Empha-
sis Put Upon the Lack of School Accommo-
dations Senator Sherman Says the Dis
trict Should Be More Literally Treated

trict Should Be More Literally Treated.
The District appropriation bill was called
up in the Senate by Mr.. German, who has
charge OF it, Immediately after morning
business. 1t was read by paragraphs, the
committees amendments to the House bill
| being considered as agreed to unless OBJ
| iected to.
In addition to the committees amendments,
the following were offered and agreed to-:
In the assessors Office an additional clerk
at 81 200 was provided for.
Paving Florida avenue between Eighteenth
street and Connecticut avenue, S12, ,900.
Senator Harris asked for an explanation OF
the increases in the items for sewers and
other sections of the bill.
Senator German said that the Appropria-
ton Committee had been actuated by de-
sire to improve tho health of the city by the
perfection of the sewer system. Further in
creases were necessitated by proper pro-
visions for the streets. Then a considerable
increase was made for the schools, which
were entirely inadequately provided for, there
being z, coo children now unable TO attend
school by reason of insufficient accommoda-
tions Altogether the increases were made in
the interest OF the health. schools, and gen.
eral improvement OF the city.
Senator Chandler doubted the wisdom OF
the Senate making such large increase OF
amounts decided upon by the House OF Rep
res natives. The Constitution vested in the
House the authority to originate appropria-
ton bills. and he thought it was bad policy
for the Senate to overload bill with amend
ments to such an extent as had been done in
this instance.
PARTY POLITICS TO THE FRONT.
Senator Harris thought the Senator from
New Hampshire would find it difficult to find
the clause in the Constitution which prohibits
the Senate from originating appropriation
bills He contended that the Senate had as
much right TO originate such bill as any
other. In fact. it had done so.
Senator Hawley called attention to the
circumstance that judiciary committee of
the House had so decided
Mr. Chandler felt alarmed he said, at the
disregard OF economy which had been prom
ised to be the distinguishing characteristic of
the present Democratic administration. He
proceeded in delicately sarcastic way to ac-
cuse the Democratic party with extravaganza
and approXimating the billion-dollar Con-
gress OF Republican fame In view OF the
fact he said that the Democratic party was
so soon to lose control of the House and also
of the Senate and as in two years more it
was also 70 lose control OF the executive
branch, he hoped the Appropriation Commit
tee would set an example of the sternest
economy.
Senator Harris said great as was his re-
spect for the economic suggestions of the
Senator from New Hampshire the recon-
: mendations Of the executives of the District
were entitled to a much larger share of his
respect These appropriations were million
below the Commissioners estimates. These
, officials were non-partisan, which was more
. than could be said of the Senator from New
, Hampshire or himself. None of these appro-
; priations should be diminished least of all
those for the sewers which affect the health
of the city.
NO ROOM FOR FACTIONS CRITICISM.
: Mr.. German regretted exceedingly that the
. Senator from New Hampshire should have
t injected any party politics into the consider
alton of this BILL In the scheme of beautif-
: cation of the National Capital party politics
have had no place. OF all the partisan
/, speakers in the various campaigns. none had
failed 10 remember that this was the Capital
of the nation. and that Improvements made
here benefited the whole people.
II The people of the District pay one-half OF
Il all the expenditures: the government, which
: owned the avenues and a great deal of prop
erty, paid the other There was no room for
such criticism as the Senator from New Hamp-
= shire had seen fit to make en- this bill. He
cared for the views of no man either in the
Il Republican party or his own who wanted
the economy that would let 1000 children &C
without education and let the unfortunate
L die without proper care.
9 The people of the District had no votes
: they could not dispose of their own public
!, funds; if they could they would make fal
e provides.
!, Mr. German referred to the pending sewel
N bond bill, aud declared it was more thar
- necessary to make the provision it embodied
81 for it affected the health of the District. He
l. said he spoke with some feeling on this
l. point because Il defective sewer last yea
l. nearly caused him his life. He repeated tha
both partisanship and parsimony were ou
l. of place in connection with this appropria
e, ton bill.
y The debate was continued on partisan
d lines by Senators German, Platt, Chandler
al and Aldrich. the latter, however. stating par
entheticalIy that he did not think that undu
n economy should be pracriced in appropria
g tions for the District of Columbia, for ever,
d body was interested in making the Capita
n City the pride of the nation.
/ SENATOR sHERMAN's APPEAL.
IS Senator Sherman said he thought the Dis
IS trct appropriation bill occupied n place dif
ferent from any other. He felt that the ap
~ ~ preparations for the District had always bee
le rather too small than too large. AS TO
IN funds, they were ample for there was al
e. ways surplus in the Treasury. 1t SCENE
m to him that either the taxes ought to be re
II. duced. or the appropriations increased.
is was a city of phenomenal growth. In fey
I'd wears il had grown from an ungainly town
s. with but one paved street. to a city that eS
ne cited admiration in all who see it. The gov
eminent owned half tho property here, an
it was no gratuity it gave in these appropria
tions. but simply paid its proper share OF tn
expenses. Congress ought to be liberal wit
the District, aud he hoped the Senator fror
IS Maryland would not take the criticisms of th
Senator from New Hampshire too seriously
m but push for proper appropriations.
w Washington was the pride of the peopl
or and admiration of strangers. He hoped ths
he many OF the Senators would live to see Wast
i'll ington not. perhaps, the most populous, br
- the most beautiful, the most pleasing city
'n the world.
Mr. Mcmillan offered an amendment al
he propriating S12, 900 for paving Florida avenu
!. between Eighteenth street and Connecticl
w. avenue, which was adopted.
d, Mr. Allison took occasion to refer to tt
d criticisms of Messrs. Chandler and Platt. II
D. had examined this bill carefully and
VI knew of but one or two items in it that M
OF with his approval. He thought Mr.. Sherma
had been mistaken when he said that thel
.e- was a surplus of a million or more to Il
,r credit of the District. There was no sue
Al. Ia oyta T,l,r