The herald., 1896-03-28
THE F|FTY-FOURTA CONGRESS
SENATORS HILL AND ELKlNS INDULGE
IN ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE
legislative Appropriation Bill Passed-Dis-
trict Attorneys and Marsbais VIII Draw
Saiaries-Ths House Insists on Consider.
ing the Private Calendar
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, March 27.-The senate
indulged in an acrimonious political de-
bate today, which developed much per-
sonal and party feeling and brought on
two sharp personal exchanges between
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Elkins.
The controversy arose over Mr.. Hills
motion to strike from the pending appro-
priation bill the proposed change of as
semblng the New Mexico legislature from
December to May. Mr.. Hill vigorously de-
nounced the change as o political trick"
which had been ''sneaked into" this APP
preparation bill in order. as he claimed, to
postpone the meeting Of the Democratic
legislature in the hope that Republican
president would be elected and the politic-
81 control of the territory changed. Mr..
EIkins protested against the words
''sneaked in.' The exchange between the
senators was very animated, but Mr.. Hill
persisted in the use of his adjective.
Later Mr.. Brice sought to question Mr..
Elkins, when the latter brought up
the offensive personal dispatch which
had BEEN sent to Mr.. Brice
from New Mexico. The debate took
wide range, Senators German, Faulkner,
Cockrell and other Democrats taking the
provision as political. while Senators
Elkins, Carter, Cullom and other Republic
can senators defended it. Mr.. Cullom
sought to table Mr.. Hills motion, but q
motion to this effect failed, 21 to 29,
whereupon Mr.. Cullom yielded to the Hill
motion and the New Mexico provision was
stricken out.
At the close of the day the senate passed
the legislative appropriation bill, carrying
$2l 100000. Aside from providing the
usual appropriations, the bill is important
as effecting a reform of the system of COM
pensation for United States district attor-
neys and marshals, salaries being substi.
tuted for fees.
favorable report on the bill proposing the
purchase Of a square opposite the east
front of the capitol for supreme court
building.
The legislative appropriation bill was
then taken up. The pending question was
the motion of Mr.. Sherman to strike out
all provisions relating to the charge of
United States district attorneys and mar
shals.
Mr.. Villas offered further amendment
proposing a uniform salary of $4,000 to
district attorneys. except the district of
New York, to be left as at present and
achusetts, Eastern Pennsylvania, Eastern
Louisiana, Northern Illinois and Northern
California,
Mr.. Allison spoke against the practice
of placing ''riders" on appropriation bills,
but he regarded this reform as exceptional
and desirable.
At the close of discussion, Mr.. Villas
amendment was defeated on viva voce
vote.
A roll call followed on Mr.. Sherman's
amendment and it was defeated. IL to 80.
At this point Mr.. Hill created something
Of sensation. He moved to strike out
the provision that the legislative assembly
Of New Mexico shall meet in May.
'This is small, mean. contemplate.
political trick,'' said Mr.. Hill with great
vgor. sit is provision sneaked into
this appropriation to force the approval of
the president"
The senator went on to explain that the
present legislature, which was Democratic,
would meet in December. But it was at
tempted by this amendment to put off the
meeting of the legislature until May, in
the hope that a Republican president
might be inaugursted in the meantime, 1t
was q contemplate trick to "sneak in"
political advantage.
"What right have you to say 'eneak?'
interrupted Mr.. Elkins, Republican of
West Virginia. "What authority have you
for such statement?"
"Ah," responded Mr.. Hill with JUNCTION.
~ thc:ght l would stir up the senator
from New Mexico. l see beside him the
author of this plan, who on the minute is
here to whisper IN his ear in support of it.
"WhatI mean by 'sneaked in,'" pro-
ceeded MIR. Hill, "is that it is unworthy
tnat tOlS pOlltICdi trlCk BUOulQ D0 trlou Ill
connection with great appropriation
bill.''
"But the senator has made a serious
CHARGE" persisted Mr.. Elkins. ''Let him
confine his explanation to the assertion of
'sneaking in What does he mean by
that?"
~ mean that such political plan has
no place here. 1t has crept in, sneaked in.
Will the senator deny that this is politi-
cal amendment?"
After further acrimonious debate Mr..
Cullom, Republican of Illinois, in charge
of the bill, explained that the amendment
came from the house in the regular way.
Mr.. Carter, Republican Of Montana, fol.
lowed in defense of the amendment.
Mr.. Hill moved to strike out the New
Mexico provision, and he appealed to the
Republican senators to make the striking
out unanimous, as the amendment was
''clearly political
Mr.. Daniels democrat of Virginia)
spoke against the amendment.
Mr.. Elkins defended the proposition, and
another heated personal colloquy occurred,
Mr.. Brice and Mr.. Elkins being the partici-
pants.
Turning his attention to the pending
amendment, Mr.. Brice said that if it was
q political trick it was unworthy to be
brought here. On it's face the charge was
we'll founded. and under the circumstances
Mr.. Brice said that he would oppose the
amendment.
Mr.. Faulkner democrat of West Vir-
ginia) opposed the amendment on the
ground that it was political and was based
on the hope that Republican president
would be elected.
"Do understand," asked Mr.. Wolcott,
"the senator says a Republican president
will be elected?"
NO. responded Mr.. Faulkner, who is
chairman of the Democratic congressional
committee, ''only those of vivid imagina-
ton and who dream when they are waking
will say that"
Mr.. Carter argued that it was time to re-
establish the rule Of the majority in New
Mexico, and if this amendment accom-
plished that end, as he thought it did, then
congress could we'll indulge in political leg
islation.
MIR. Allen, Populist of Nebraska, said it
was difficult for a Populist senator to de.
eide in a contest in which trickery and
fraud were charged and admitted on both
sides.
Mr.. Cockrell opposed the amendment as
being political. 1t was based on the hope
Of electing a Republican president, who
would name Republican governor of New
Mexico.
'Was this right and honorable?" asked
Mr.. CockrelI, ION the part of q party
At this point Mr.. Wolcott moved that
when tho senate adjourned it be until
Monday.
Mr.. Cullom protested that the senate
ought to Comnlete the handing appronria-