The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-26
Adjournment Of Congress ON May 20
by Senate Platt I'm N
Formal Joint Resolution.
HIGH SALARIES ATTACKED
PAY OF ATTORNEYS AND M~ARsHALS
DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE.
Tits and Explanations in the use
Naval Appropriation Bill.


ence to the adjournment of Congress came
in the Senate to-day in formal resolution Of
fered by Mr.. Plat. proposing an adjourn
ment on May 2. Mr.. Plat said his purpose
was to call attention at this time to the de-
STABILITY of an early adjournment. The reso-
luton was referred to the appropriations
committee, as any determination as to adj
journment must depend on the condition Of
the appropriation bills. The adoption Of a
resolution allowing ex-President Harrison to
receive decorations from Spain and Brazil
was postponed by an objection from Mr.. Al
len. During the day Mr.. Gallinger. of New
Hampshire, proposed q constitutional amend
ment prohibiting tine United States or any
State from giving any recognition or fnan-
cial aid to any church or religious institu-
ton. Most Of the day was. spent on the
legislative appropriation bill, which is not
yet completed. The paragraphs substituting
salaries for fees for United States district at
torneys and marshals were agreed to after a
lengthy discussion
Both the floor Of the Senate and the gal
leries were well nigh deserted when the ses-
sion opened. as there was promise that the
exciting Cuban debate would give way to the
routine Of appropriation bills. Mr.. Sherman
at once presented a favorable report on the
resolution authorizing ex-President Harrison
to accept decorations conferred on him by
Brazil and Spain when he was President. Mr..
Sherman asked immediate action.
Let that resolution go over,' interposed
Mr.. Allen. One objection was sufficient to
prevent immediate action, so the resolution
went over.
Mr.. Gallinger proposed an amendment to
the Constitution, to be known as Article
XVI, providing that neither Congress nor
any State shall pass any law respecting an
6Sta OllSlmonf 0f religion 0r pr0hibiffpo tha
free exercise thereof, or use the credit of the
United States or any State, or any money
ing. maintaining, aiding any church. re-
Igious denomin ton or religious society, or
any Institution. society OF undertaking which
Is Wholly or in part under sectarian or &C.
The bill was passed authorizing the Kan
sas City, Watkins & Gulf Railway Company
louisiana.
AT this point Mr.. Plat arose and said he
thought 1t about time to consider the ques-
comment. he offered the following written
resolution:
Resolved by the Senate and the House OF
Representatives, That the President of the
Senate and the Speaker Of the House of Rep
resentatives be authorized to close the pres
ent session by adjourning their respective
houses on the second day OF May, at Z
O'Clock d. m"
Withou any further comment the resolu-
ton was referred to the committee on appro-
priations, and the Senate returned to consid.
GRAFTON of the legislative appropriation bill
The question Of reforming the Zee system o,
shals occasioned much DEBATE. Mr.. Hoar op-
posed the change from fees to salaries by
means of an appropriation bill. as 1t was q
Mr.. Allen attacked the high salaries pro-
posed to be given to district. attorneys, and
criticised the manner in which these salaries
clared that the offices OF district attorneys
were given frequently in the payment Of pc.
litical debts. and, instead Of requiring a high
degree OF legal talent. the places sometimes
went to "shysters" who could not earn q
living out OF offices.
Mr.. George attacked the entire policy oil
giving high salaries, and showed that the
Governors and attorney-generals OF States
received less by half than the bill proposed
allowing federal district attorneys.
Mr.. Allen also criticised the provision al
lowing the Encouragement to designate the
number OF deputy .marshals. He spoke
buchanan the government cost $50, 600. 900 an
nually. and now it cost 500, 900. 900. On thar
time the population had doubled, but the
fold. Oficials were thrusting their hands
into the treasury, and, by hook and crook
mainly by crook. seeking to increase theil
salaries. The purpose OF this provision was
I to add to the offices controlled by an execu.
tive officer.
Mr.. Hoar responded warmly that the Sen.
into the details of the number of DEPUTY
marshals in each of the seventy-seven dis
tricts In the United States. TX IL did II would
become a laughing stock. gf the govern.
ment could not trust the Attorney-genera
with this duty, then the American govern
ment had better shut up shop and apply tC
some Populist club to carry on its affairs.
After an extended debate the salaries fol
district attorneys and marshals were agreed
to as reported. with a few miner changes
The legislative appropriation bill was mo-
completed when, at $50. the Senate went into
executive session, and soon after adjourned.
When asked to-day for his reasons for
the introduction of his resolution for the
adjournment of Congress on May 2. Senator
Plat replied that he had put In the resolu-
ton because he believed that Congress
could complete all the business that Ii will
be abe to do by that time. 1T Is perfectly
Clear" he said, that there will be no inn
portant legislation during the session ex-
cept that embraced in the appropriation
bills, and there is no reason why those bills
should not be disposed of in the six weeks
allowed by the resolution. This being the
case. we should begin to look TO adjourn
ment- i see no reason for remaining here
merely for the purpose of introducing and
talking on agftating resolutions. and / am
persuaded that the country would. under
the circumstances, be better satisfied &c
have us at home thar to have us here"
The Senator added that a large majority OF
that most of those with whom he had talked
thought it could be accomplished by the
middle OF May.