The herald., 1895-02-26
THE SENATE
Long Day Put in With Talk About
Appropriations


Washington, Feb. 25.-An arrang ement
for dispensing with the reading of the
Senate journal and the crowding of all
the usual business aside for the appro-
priation bills today was surprise to all
but few Senators who were in their seats
when the order was made. The pro-
gramme was arranged on the Democratic
side by Senator Cockrell and on the Re
publican side by Senator Platt.
There were not OVER twenty Senators
present. and the Senate plunged imme-
diately into the appropriation bills and
was well under way when the Senators
arrived who might have other business
to present in the morning hour.
The Sundry Civil bill was taken up.
The item for the examination of sub-soil
lot for the new public building at San
Francisco was changed making it manda-
tory on the Secretary of War to have two
or more Army engineers conduct the in
vestigation.
Perkins of California spoke incidentally
of the needlessness OF an Investigation by
those more versed in politics than in
scientific engineering and desirous of
taking pleasure trip to the coast. The
appropriation of SIS, 600 for Il public build
ing at Annapolis Maryland, was struck
out. There had been some indirect criti-
cisms as to the clause including Annapo-
lis with Cheyenne. Boise City and
Helena, and German created surprise by
personal request TO omit Annapolis.
Wilson of Washington secured $4,000 for
public building at Olympia.
White proposed substitute providing
for the condemnation of the Blaine prop
erty, instead of the purchasing.
Hale urged the injustice of such action
against Mrs. Blaine. The substitute was
defeated, % to Do
The committee amendment for the pur-
chase of the Blaine property was then
agreed to, yeas 81, nays 25.
The Sundry Civil bill was then proceeded
with. at 20 p. IN. the Senate held an
executive session, and then took a recess
until clock
The Night Session
The night session of the Senate was at
tended by about twenty Senators but as
the question of quorum was not raised
work proceeded on the Sundry Civil ap-
preparation bill The appropriation of the
chief officials of the coast and Geodetic
Survey caused much debate.
The House had reduced the number of
bureau assistants from fortv-two to
thirty-four. The Senate Committee re-
stored the original number.
McLaurin of Mississippi read letter
from the Superintendent of Coast and
Geodetic Survey saying the reduction was
desirable and if notmade the extra ses.
sion men would become pensioners.
Cockrell declared that superintendent
Dnfield of the bureau had proposed the
reduction with all the enthusiasm of an
officer anxious to snaugurate reform and
he knew the needs of the office.
Mr.. Allison SAID Superintendent Duf
field was attempting to override his
superior, Secrstafy Carlisle, VINO had esti.
mated for the full corps Of tha bureau.
The Senator said there xas some secret
history as TO the way this reduction
was recommended Without me knowb
edge of tho Secretary Of the Treas
ury. The enlarged etaH Of fortytwo, as
recommended by tns ccmhittee. was
agreed to.
Committee emendmantswere,esssef TO-
appropriasipe $1,000 o%os<he widow brpther
heirs of-each Of ths Killed IN 4h4 Ford
Theaterdissstsr5s foup xoran elsc.