The herald., 1896-04-25
Some Progress Made Witt
Sundry Appropriations
A RIDICULOUS SITUATION
The VenezueIan Commissioners Unable
to Pay Their Rent
The House Osvotes the Day to Consideration
Of Pensions to Deserters Prom the
Confederate Army
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Speclal wire.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-The SEN
ate gave today to the sundrycfVil appro-
priation bill without completing it. The
uebate was largely of a formal charac-
ter. Contrary to custom there will be
q Saturday session of the senate.
The movement for international arbi-
tration was referred to in the prayer or
Rev. Hugh johnson today.
Let armies be disbanded, let the
world be at peace" he invoked.
Senator Sherman sought to take up
the bill proposing the repeal Of the law
giving a rebate of tax on alcohol used
in the arts, but owing to opposition
from Chandler and Platt the measure
went over.
The sundry civil appropriation bill
was then taken up. At o'clock the
bond resolution was laid before the SEN
ate and Mr.. PETER, its author. proposed
| notifications to meet the criticisms of
the recent speech of Mr.. Hill. AS modi-
fed, the resolution strikes out the direc-
tfon that the special committee of five
senators shall inquire whether any Off
Ger of the government made any con-
tract or agreement in connection with
bond issues with the intent to receive
commission or personal reward, and
also the provision that not more than
two of the senators on the committee of
inquiry shall be members of the same
went over by agreement.
A Venezuelan debate came up when
the item of the sundry civil bill was
reached authorizing the Venezuelan
committee to pay rent for it's quarters,
out of 100000 appropriated for it's ex-
penses.
Mr.. German suggested that an eX-
planation was in order; in great haste
| and In great emergency congress had
appropriated 100000. at the suggestion
or the president, for the purpose. as was
supposed, of preventing a war. But
now 1t appeared that the legislation was
not effective in giving quarters to the
commission.
Allison explained that the comptroller
OF the treasury had ruled that the Ven-
ezuelan appropriation could not be used
Tor renting buildings within the district
of Columbia. Mr.. Allison added that
the comptroller was very rigid in his
rulings. as was well known.
Mr. German expressed amazemcnt at
this condition of affairs
Amid great excitement and on the ad-
vice OF the president congress had made
an appropriation for the Venezuelan
commission. 1t was designed to settle
a conflict between two of the greatest
nations on earth. And vet here steps
in a comptroller of the treasury and
says this momentous commission is
without power to pay it's rent
Mr. Allison interrupted to say that the
CONDITION was really ridiculous and yet
1t existed and had to be met
. 'There is feeling prevalent through,
| the country" added Mr.. Cannon, that
the emergency in this Venezuelan Dues
ton Is past. if, indeed, it ever existed
| Az all events 1t is gratifyig to know
| that this grave question has dwindled
GOWN TO questio of rent of quarters for
the venezuelan commission ~
Mr., Allen. POnuIjSt Of NabrocIyo ,-e
| II was singular that the Venezuelan
commission had not taken Quarters in
the state department instead of renting
private quarters.
Mr.. German insisted in having the
Venezuelan question go over until he
could communicate with the treasury
department
The sectarian school came up in new
form when the items were reached,
making appropriation for the Provi-
dence and Garfield hospitals at Wash
lngton for the care of destitute inValids.
Mr.. Gallinger proposed an amendment
requiring a contract to be made by
providence hospital. This brought for
ward Mr.. German in some general
statements on the sectarian question
he said he confessed his amazement
that the congress of the United States
or any party in control of cogress
should be so far swept from the plain
dictates of justice as to raise the sectar-
ian questian against hospitals. If it was
for political purposes, Mr.. German de-
clared. it would react on it's authors.
Mr.. German moved to lay the amend
ment on the table. and the motion pre-
vailed without dissent.
Mr.. Chandler endeavored to have re-
s;rictions placed on the expenditures
of the attorney general in order to avoid
deficiencies, and, falling in this re-
marked: 'Then if we can't have the re-
form I hope we will have a new presi-
dent of the United States who will give
us new district attorneys and marshals
to keep down the expenditures"
Mr.. German withdrew opposition to
the Venezuelan resolution and it was
adopted.
An amendment by Mr.. Bacon of
Georgia giving the committee on state
exposition companies $4,000 balance of
the former appropriation until expend-
cd. The bill then went over. The joint
resolution giving to Senators Mantle OF
Montana and Clark of Wyoming sal
airy from March 4. 1894 instead of from
the date of election, was adopted.
At $40 I'm. the senate adjourned until
tomorrow.