The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-28
IN THE SENATE.
Tho Legislative Appropriation Bill
Amended and Passed.


Tho Legislative Appropriation BIn
Amended and Passed.
Washington City. March e7.-The senate
INDUCED in an acrimonious political debate
today. which developed much personal and
party feeling. and brought on two sharp
personal exchanges between Hiil and El-
kins. The controversy arose over Hins
motion 10 strike from the pending appro-
pration bill the proposed change Of the
date Of assembling OF the New Mexico leg
islatlre from December 10 May. Hin yig-
orously denounced the change as a 'po-
lit.cal trick" which had been 'saeaket
into this appropriation bill in order. as
ne claimed. 10 postpone the meeting Of the
Democratic legislature. In the hope that
a Republican president would be elected
and the political control OF the territory
changed. Elsins protested against the
words "sneaked in" The exchange be-
tween the senators was very animated. but
Inn persisted in the use OF his adjectives.
Later Brice sought TO qgestion MIR. Elkins.
when the latter brought up an extensive
personal dispatch which had been sent 10
Brice from New Mexico. The dispute took
a wide range. German. Faulkner. CockrelI
and other Democrats taking the provision
/ as pnlltical while Elkins. Carter. CEllom
and other Republican senators defended r.
| Cuilom sought 10 table Hilrs motion. but
| a motion TO this effect failed. II to y.
| whereupon Cullom yielded 10 the Hill mo-
| ton and the New Mexico provision WIS
stricken out
At the close OF the day the senate passed
the legislative appropriation bin. carrying
81. .510.0G. Aside from proviiing the usual
appropriations the bill is important as ef-
fec.ing reform Of the system Of COM
pensation for United States district attor-
neys and marshais, salaries being substi-
tuted for fees. The senate adjourned until
Monday.
| Morrill, presented a 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 blll was
then taken up. The pending question was
| the motion of Sherman to strike out all
| provisions relating to the change of COM
pensation from fees to salaries for United
States district attorneys and nsarshals.
Villas offered a further amendment pro-
posing a uniform salary OF 5000 to dis
triet attorneys except the district OF New
York, TO be left as at present and to give
$500 for the large districts OF Massachu-
setts. Eastern Pennsylvania. Eastern
Louisiana Northern Illinois and Northern
California Allison spoke against the
practice OF placing riders" on appropria-
ton bills, but he regarded this reform as
exceptional and desirable. At the close
Of the discussion Villas amendment was
defeated on a viva voce vote. roll call
followed on Sherman's amendment. and II
was defeated. IS to 30.
At this point Hiil created sensation.
He moved to strike out the provision that
the legislative assembly OF New Mexico
shall meet IN May. This is a small.
mean. contemplate polt.ca trick" said
| Hll with great vigor. 1T is provision
sneaked into this appropriation 10 force
| the approval Of the president" The sem
| ator went on to explain that the present
legislature which was Democratic would
| meet in December. But II was attempted
| by this amendment to put of the meeting
Of the legislature. In the hope that a Re
| publican president might be inaugurated
in the meantime. II was a contemplate
trick TO sneak IN" political advantage.
What right have you 10 say sneak? "
interrupted Elkins What authority
| have you for such a s;atement?'F
'Ah'' responded Hin with JUNCTION. II
thought would stir Nh the senator from
| New Mexico. | see beside him the author
| Of this plan. who on the minute Is here to
| whisper In his ear in support OF IL. What
| mean by 'snesked in" proceeded Hill.
| ''is that IL is unworthy that this political
| trick should be tried in connection with
| a great appropriation bill"
But the senator has made a serious
| charge" persisted Elkins. Let him con-
fine his explanation to the assertion OF
'saeakng in What does he mean by
thst?"
Il mean that such political plan has
no place here. Il has crept In. sneaked In.
| VIII the senator deny that this is a politl-
| cal amendment"
ElkIns responded that the house Of repre-
senta,ives in the exercise OF its rights had
| introduced this proposed change.
After further acrimonious debate. Cgi-
Iom. in charge Of the bill, explained that
a. he in
| the regular way. Carter followed in de-
fense of the amendment. HAi answered
| he did not complain OF the presence Of tbs
New Mexico delegate tCa;ronl. who sat
alongside Carter. but he did object 10 hav-
ing that delegate attempt TO secure this
special amendment. Hin moved 10 strike
out the New Mexico provision. and he ap-
pealed 10 the Republican senators 70 make
| the striking ont unanimous. as the amend
inent was clearly political" Daniel
spoke against the amendment. Eikiss de-
fsnd.-i the proposition. saving he delegate
wanted IL; ana was better qgaiified TO
speak OF an am ndment being "sneskei
in" and was good authority on a ques-
ton OF taste Elkins declared the amend
mant was not political. ~ far as he knew
At this point another heated personal
coIloauy occurred. Brice and Elkins being
the participants
Were Won no, si one time delegate
from NeE Mexico asked Hrtce. address
Ing E-lkins
Yes. had that honor" replie'! Elkins
Did you at that time ever suggest a
change in time Of holding IN. assembly ?"
pursued Rrice-
NO. there was no demand for n then. "
! arswsresf Elkfns. But noE. proceeded
| Elkins. taking W a n@@ and very personal
phase Il ask the senator from Ohio
tH-fcej xhaf h. thinks of the governor Of
N4x Mexico for this Is a contest between
ths governor and ihe delegate. Let ne
ask the senator vhat the governor said
/ ahou, him Eikius' reference vas 20 the
offensive telegram sent by Coy. Thornton
| and Others TO Rrice-
The governor withdrew his state
! rnen's" said Brire-
But Nnat zas the telegram the gov
| srnor sent concerning the senatorg' asked
| Elkins.
| grtre responded again that the tels-
/ gram had been properly disavowed hy the
governor
| w nat did the governor say IN that t~fe-
gram about The senator frorn ohioTi T@r-
| sisted Elkins.
Br.ee explained that .As ssssssos lad