The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-21
THE PEOPLES EYES.
Warning That Congress IS Being
Closely Watched Nowadays.

WASHINGTON, Feb. THE attendance
In the house today was small. The Senate
amendments to the military academy APP
preparation bill were concurred in. The
Senate bill to amend section 1904 OF the
revised statutes relating to the power OF
the Secretary of the Treasury TO remit or
mitigate fines, penalties and forfeitures
was passed, also the Senate bill relating
to final proof in timber culture entries.
Mr.. Mcmillan (Dem., Tenn.,) inquired
very closely into the effect OF the latter
bill and as to whether IL had been en-
dorsed by the commissioner OF the gen.
eral land office. ~ do not want to appear
captious in these matters" said he, "but
only few days ago an innocent looking
bill carrying $40, 600 was brought up here
and / was assured that 1t had the approval
OF the interior department. Upon that
assurance i withdrew my opposition. L
have siuce learned that II did not have
the approval OF the department and that
1t VIII cost half million dollars to carry
out its provisions.
"The committee have no such assur-
ance," said Mr.. Lacey, chairman Of the
committee on public lands.
-"Someone who supposed had authority
TO speak did give 1t, replied Mr.. McMil-
Ian.
Tne house then went into committee of
OF the Indian appropriation bill. When
the.committee rose yesterday Mr.. Flynn s
amendments to strike out the nppropria-
tions OF Sl5, 900 for five Indian inspectors
were pending. 1t was In connection with
an amendment to reduce the salaries of
these inspectators fixed in the bill at $1,000
eacn that appeals of Mr.. Dingley and
MIR. Cannon were disregarded. Today the
economists again returned to the attack
and Mr.. Grow, rep, Pa, moved to de-
crease the salaries from $1,000 TO $1,000.
Mr.. Crisp (Dem., Ga. raised the point
OF order that as the salaries were fixed by
law the amendment changes existing laws
and was out of order.
Mr.. Brumm, (Rep, Pa, argued that
III the point held good II would not be
competent for Congress to reduce the sal
aries Of government officers.
Not for four years. ~ replied Mr.. Crisp,
"the tenure Is four years"
Mr.. Barrett (Rep., Mass. y took occa-
sion during the debate on the point Of
order to make some sarcastic remarks
about the action OF the treasury depart
ment in awarding the bonds under the
forfeited bond bids To the Morgan syndi-
cate.
81 am very tired of hearing on this
floor" said he, "that we have not mon
ey enough to pay government officers the
salaries fixed py law"
"Why," he continued, "we have plenty
OF money. Only day before yesterday
Secretary Carlisle presented out of hand
10 j. Pierpont Morgan, a citizen OF New
York, little matter of S20S, 430. A bid
OF "a, 200, ,0C0 had teen forfeited and al
though the Secretary had before him a
bid for thesforfeited bonds from respon-
sible Boston bank thst would have real
lied TO the treasury s., 1SS, 600 be deliber-
ately accepted the bid of the Morgan syn
dicate that only realized -. $50, 900" "
At this point Mr.. Barrett was taken off
the floor by point of orGer. He took his
seat with the threat tnat he would find
an opportunity to make himself heard
later. Mr.. Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio, then
entered "a stirring protest against raising
salaries when the government was issuing
bonds TO defray current expenses, when
cattle was worth So cents pound and
horses S25 a head. ~ warn you, gentle
men, on both sides of the aisle, said be,
"that the people have their eye on this
Congress. They are watching to see
whether Congress Is willing to create new
or exaggerate salaries of old officers"
To Ipyeetioata rariieIe,e Acttno