Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-01
54th CONGRESS.
Sharp Words in House Over
Sundry Civil Bill Items.
First Discussion Arises On Salary Of
Geodetic Survey Superintendent.
Other Over Rewards Paid for Detection Of
Revenue Law violators.

Il somewhat acrimonious colloquy oc-
CURED between C. w. Stone, Rep, of
Pennsylvania, and Cannon, Rep, of
Illinois, in charge of the sundry civil
appropriation. bill. over the proposition
by the former to increase the appro-
pration for the salary Of the superin-
tendent of the coast geOdetic survey
from $4,000 to $4,000, as provided in the
statute establishing the office. Can
non, opposing the motion, alluded to
Gen. Dufiield, the present superintend-
ent, as having been discovered" in
Kentucky by the present administra
ton to succeed Prof Mendenhall, whom
he said, in his opinion, was the most
competent man that ever held the posi- :
ton.
Stone resented the use Of the word
discovered stating that Gen. Duff
field served his country in tao wars.
carried in his body for 40 years. lead
received in that service, and for a
period extending over 40 years had
been prominent in his profession.
Cannon said that the superintendent
was a Democrat, appointed by a Dem
ocratic administration and he was now
drawing the same salary as provided
in the bin as a result OF legislation by
Il Democratic Congress. He believed II
good politics and good economy to
leave him where he was put by his
friends, and appealed to the members
on this tthe Republican side) to vote
down the amendment.
Stone said In his opinion, this side
as the gentleman from Illinois desig-
mated it. could not afford to ignore
plain. legal obligation and refuse to
pay Cen Dufield the salary authorized
by law. and which he received for the
first year Of his incumbency. This
side" could not afford to discriminate
against old soldiers. whatever his poll
ties when none was made as to other
employees some Of whom were de-
scribed as personal followers Of the
secretary under whom they were en-
ploved.
The amendment was rejected.
The appropriation for field expenses
in the SURVEY of the Atlantic coast
line and tributaries was increased
from $4,000 to $4,000
The usual amendment to strike out
of the bin the provisions for decting
and bringing to trial and punishment
persons guilty of violation of the in
ternal revenue laws, and authorizing
the commissioner OF internal revenue
to pay for the information and detec-
ton of such violations, was made by
Linny, Rep, Of North Carolina.
Tate. Dem Of Georgia moved to
strike out the words. Including pay
ments for information and detection
Of such violations. Evans, Rep. of
Kentucky. former commissioner Of in
ternal revenue. antagonized the
amendments. saying that the provision
was the most important in the bill
Savers. Dem. of Texas. said the
commissioner of Internal revenue, re-
pored in the last six months of 1895.
that S. Illicit distilIeries We're seized
in the fifth district of North Carolina
Beside the distilleries, there were
seized within the district. in the same
period. J5S fermenters. and 9, 0Jo gall
Ions of beer. which We're destroyed In
the eighth district Of North Carolina
In distilleries. 40 fermenters. IS 900
gallons Of beer. and 1000 gallons Of
spirits. were seized and destroyed
Savers paid attention to the ninth
district of Georgia. represented by
Tate. In the past six months. he
stated. there were seized and destroyed
in that district 299 Illicit distillries.
S645 gallons % spirits. 292, 900 gallons Of
beer The report also showed that in
the fifth district Of Virginia. - distil-
leries, 5000 gallons of spirits. $40 fer
menters. and 5000 gallons 81 Deer were
seized ard destroyed in the last six
months. 4 particular fragrant case in
New York city was named by Sayers.
the vioIators paid the govern
rnent $4,000 fines and penalties.
Evans stated that better returns to
the COVE Fnment resulted from this APP
preparation than from any other in any
appropriation bill.
Livingston. Dem. Of Georgia, said
that under the appropriation private
houses were broken open and entered |
and closets examined without war
rants. Re suggested that a proviSo be |
directing that all inyestiga-
lions should he conducted only in the |
due process Of law
5ayers said that would only BE- 10 af- |
yertisc the corningof the officer. and the |
chances were nine out Of ten. that he |
=
Hardly a week passed without the
publication OF the murder 81 soma |
zlan shot through the window while !
sitting at his fireside. When inquiry sv as |
made as To the identity Of the assassin.
il was found that Some one suspected |
u rno0nSainEng" had disappeared /
from t..e country
I.lnney. Rep of North Carolina, adj
Socatel the amendment Ele said that /
30 similar amount Of money was ever 1
The cause 81 so much corruption as this
-gpropri2tior Of s-sf-99o
F'iIe amendment offered b. Tate was /
-ej=ctetl = tn a. Liuney withdrew his |
notion 10 strike out the provision.
The committee rose. and after pass
ng over - pages Of the bill. the House
adjourned.