The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-14
BY A BIG MAJORITY
The River and Harbor Bill Passes
the Senate.
GORMAN'S LIMIT DOESN'T GO
Many Other Measures Disposed
OLA Few Sharp Words Ut ered
During the Day-indian
Territory Courts.

washington, May 13.-The river and
harDor bill was takel up as soon as
the senate convened to-day. The pend
ing question was Gorman's amend
ment directing the secretary of war to
so apportion contract appropriations
that no more than $40, ,0O0, 900 be ex-
pended on contracts in any one year
Before proceeding Vest gave notice of
minority report on the filled cheese
bill by himself and Senators walthall
of mississippi, Harris of Tennessee.
Jones of Arkansas and White of Cali
fornia. The bill was passed for the ap-
pointment OF guardians for pensioners
In the District of Columbia found to be
squandering pension money by drink
ing. or vicious habits"
Proceeding with the river and harbor
bill, Vest opposed the German amend
ment, declaring that 1t would permit
the secretary of war to nullify the riv-
er and harbor bill and to substitute his
opinion in lieu of that of congress. He
did not believe there would be. a par
tisan in the chamber who would give
such autocratic power to a cabinet off,
Ger. He had never known a secretary
OF war to whom he would extend such
vast power While he was a democrat
and knew the expenditures would be
made by democratic officials UP to
March 3, yet that was not a factor to
was no abdication of power, but mere
ly limitation of the power of the Sec
retary of war so that not more than
$1O,OOO,OOO would be spent annually. 1t
was necessary provision, said Cor
man, in view Of the fact that this is
the first time in the history of the gov
ernment that we have gone into the
wholesale business of authorizing con-
tracts" II he were secretary of war,
said German. he would apply the rule
suggested by Sherman of not obli-
eating the government for one dollar
of these contracts until congress made
provision for the revenues to meet
them. This amendment was merely a
caution to our executive officer, that in
view of our condition he must not
spend more than 10000, 900 a year The
senator expressed his appreciation of
the river and harbor bill-the most i'm
portant of the appropriation bills-but
this amendment would permit. ample
expenditures with proper limitations.
In reply to a suggestion of White
that the secretary OF war had already
shown a disposition. to- restrict river
and harbor work, German took occa-
sion to express his high personal re-
gard for the present secretary of war,
but the senator felt that he could not
conscientiously give his vote to a
measure that would put it in the pow
er of one man to spend money that
the government does not possess" The
debate took a wide range under the
five-minute rule, which had been
agreed upon.
The amendment by Gray was ac-
cepted with the ten million restriction
applying specifically to contracts and
not to direct appropriations.
Allison proposed an amendment fix
ing the limitation on contract expendi-
lures at s12,000000 annually. Vest
moved to table the German PROPOSE
tion and all amendments, which mo-
tion prevailed. yeas 40; nays, 23, as fol-
lows:
Yeas-Republicans - Aldrich, Baker,
Burrows, Cameron, Cullom, Dubois,
Elkins, Frye, Gallinger, Lodge, Nc
Bride, Mantle, Mitchell (Oregon), Mel
son, Perkins. Pettigrew, Platt, Quay,
Sewell, Sherman, Shoup, Squire, Thurs
ton, Wetmore, Wilson-25. Democrats
Bacon, Berry. Blackburn. Caffery,
co, Pugh, Vest, Walthall and White
-12. Populists-Butler, Jones (Nev-
ada), and Stewart-3. Total 40.
Nays-Republicans- Brown,
Chandler, Gear, Hawley, Proctor-6.
Democrats = Bate. Brice, Cockrell,
Faulkner, German, Gray, Harris, Hill.
Lindsay, Martin, Mitchell (Wisconsin),
Roach. Smith, Vilas-14. Populists-
Allen, Peffer, Kyle-3. Total %.
The Sabine Pass, Texas, project was
reduced from 81. 403, 900 to 81, 900 900 on a
motion of Frye. Lindsay offered an
amendment directing the secretary of
war to adjust contracts that not more
than 20 per cent. of any one appropria-
ton would be expended in any one
year. Smith said he hoped some
amendment limiting expenditures
rEl
bill, including contracts, reached about
s70.000.000. an amount unprecedented
and double that in the best times of
the country. Considering the business
conditions of the country and of the
treasury, part of the government mon
ey being raised by bonds, congress was
not justified in appropriating a greater
amount than ever before in the his
tory of the government On motion of
Frye, the amendment Of Lindsay was
tabled. yeas, 81; nays. Is. The detailed
vote being substantially the same as
the one previous.
Allen said he was astonished that
democratic senators Joined with the re-
publicans in supporting this bill. The
vast amount involved would be ex-
pended largely by a republican secre-
tary of war, according to the present
political outlook, he said. II would
doubtless benefit republican campaigns,
and the senator said he could under
stand why republican senators sup
ported it, but not why democrats
should. Allen pointed out in detail the
number of creeks, millponds. lagoons
and bitches in the bill
Frye vigorously resented Aliens re-
marks. The Nebraska senator did not
know what he was talking about. de-
clared Frye. Some Of these so-called
creeks were great arteries Of commerce.
Bate sought to secure an increase
from $50. 900 to $3.50, 900 for the Cumber-
land river. Tennessee. Bate created a
laugh by declaring that while he ap-
proved an economical policy. IL was
hardly to be expected he would stand
by and see people getting a whole loaf
and he not getting a slice. The amend
ment was tabled on motion of Frye.
hffI n n ha ntf on fFG