The herald., 1896-05-21
IN THE SENATE
Prye's Attempt to Secure Action on the River
and Harbor Bill Fai1s

dent or becoming law without his ap-
| proval, or enacted over q veto, shall be
declared unconstitutional by the su-
| preme court, except when all the judges
| concur.
On motion Of Mr.. German the senate
| reconsidered its action in passing the
| bill for the enlistment Of additional men
| for the navy and giving the secretary
| of the navy authority in case of emer-
| gency to charter transport ships.
Mr.. Frye, Republican of Maine, sub
| mitted the conference report on the
| river and harbor bill. The senator ex-
| planned that an agreement had been
| reached on all items except the Cali
fornia deep water harbor and the San
| Pedro, Cal, inner harbor. He desired
| immediate action on the conference re-
| port, suggesting that there were GER
| tain reasons well understood by sena-
| tors why this bill should be expedited.
This brought out protests from several
| quarters, as senators wished to examine
| the report.
Mr.. Bacon, Democrat of Georgia, said
| he would expect to be fully heard in
| opposing the conference agreement
against the appropriation for Bruns-
| wick harbor, Georgia. He added that
| demanded the adjournment of con-
| gress before the public business had
| been duly considered.
| On motion by Mr.. Frye to proceed with
the river and harbor conference report.
| the standing vote was "a to 13, eight
short of a quorum. On a call Of the
senate quorum was secured.
Mr.. Bacon again protested against
| rushing" the bill and asked what was
the great emergency which required
| this haste.
After further discussion Mr.. Frye
consented to let the report go over until
| tomorrow.
| Mr.. Butler. Populist of North Caro-
| lima, had intended to press for a vote on
the resolution prohibiting the issue of
| bonds without the authority of con-
gress. as he said the shipments of gold,
over $1000,000 yesterday, showed that
another bond issue would be made. In
| order, however, not to displace the
| fortifications bill. Mr.. Butler said he
would defer his motion until the bill
was passed, probably today or tomor-
row.
Mr.. Hill Immediately gave notice that
at the first lull in appropriations he
would press the bill relative to punish
ment for contempt of court.
Mr. Sherman also gave notice that he
would try to take up the filled cheese
bill at the first opportunity.
The Notifications bill was then taken
up. All the committee amendments
were agreed to.
Mr.. German then offered an important
amendment, providing that in order to
| provide moneys not supplied from cur
| rent revenues for the expenditure of
| the government, the secretary of the
| treasury, with the approval of the presi-
dent, be authorized to issue per cent
treasury certificates of indebtedness to
| the amount of $100,000,00O redeemable
at the pleasure of the government after
three years.
Many senators were on their feet with
| objections and points of order, but be-
| fore these were considered Mr.. German
spoke briefly on the need of the amend
ment. He said he had already shown
that If the executive made the expendi-
lures called for by the appropriations
there would be a shortage before next
January
Mr. Mills, Democrat of Texas re-
sponded in few words. urging that
there were we'll defined means of rails
ing revenue. Congress was here and
should remain here to enact proper and
well-matured measures of relief instead
of reSorting to any emergency plan as
that proposed by Mr.. German.
Mr. Sherman called attention to the
Importance of the amendment and ask
ed call of the senate. as the attend
ance was meager. When quorum was
secured the presiding officer. MIR. Chand-
Ter OF New Hampshire, ruled on a point
of order raised against the German
amendment that it was in order.
Mr.. Mills appealed from the ruling of
the chair. Before the vote was taken on
the appeal Mr.. Sherman addressed the
senate on the amendment. He said it
| was unexampled in the history of the
| country that such a proposition should
| be made in a time Of peace to keep the
| treasury from bankruptcy. 1t came at
a time when the country was amply
able to provide revenue for the govern
ment He could name the items on
which revenue could easily be raised. 1t
was time, he said, that senators should
lay aside all party feeling and make
| provision to carry on the government
Under the present tariff there had been
deficiencies every year and every hour
1t had led to a political revolution and
the election of house of representa-
tives opposed to the present law. The
house had sought to remedy the condi-
ton by passing an emergency tariff bill
| which was sent to the senate and here
incumbered with a free silver amend
ment. Mr.. Sherman said he was willing
to accept that house bill after the with
drawal of the silver amendment as the
best available remedy for the treasury
II it did not yield enough then let other
items be added-tea, coffee. everything
Yes" exclaimed Mr.. Sherman. II
would take the last shirt off the people
rather than violate our national credit"
lie declared that an agreement could
be reached in twenty-four hours if SEN
ators would put aside their partisanship.
IL coHSreSS ulQ not act, then Mr. Sher-
man said he had faith that President
Cleveland-with whom he did not affiI-
late in politics-would not spend one dol
lar on appropriations beyond the reye-
nues he had on hand. The voice of the
country, said he, demanded that we
pay as we 60" Unless this was done
our country would be bankrupt and in
position more degrading than that of
any of the feeblest countries of the
world.
y would tear up every one of these ap-
preparation bills said the senator in
closing, rather than issue $1OO 900, 900
III treasury certificates in single year"
ME- German followed in answer to
Mr.. sherman. He said the remark of
the senator from Ohio was most remark
able in view of the fact that he (Sher-
mani had himself proposed a similar
measure four years ago to meet a pros
Eective deficiency in the last year of the
Harrison administration. Mr.. Sherman
interrupted to deny that his measure
was intended to meet a deficiency. as
there had not been a deficiency under the
Harrison administration,
Mr. German read the treasury figures
Of four years ago, contending that a de-
ficiency was impending. He proceeded
to show that the failure of the income tax
feature Of the tariff act and the too lib
| eral extension of the free list had led
to the present lack Of revenue. The d.
rect appropriations and contracts au-
thorized this year would reach almost
$500. 100000. while the revenues would be