The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-05-07
CONGRESS.
Abstract of the More Important Pro-
cecdingS of Both Houses.
WEDNESDAY,. APRIL %.

Is
In the Senate, the acceptance was considered
of the statue of Pere Marquette, presented by
the State of Wisconsin. and now in Statusry
Hall AT the outset Mr.. Palmer I'LL. d. pre-
scented resolution expressing the thanks oil
Congress To Wisconsin for this statue OF the
s'renowued cxulorer and discoverer of the
Mississippi River" and formally accepting the
Gift.
Several speeches were made. Senator Villas
was most eloquent. He said, in part: The
State of Wisconsin, now a Commonwealth oil
100000 freemen, rejoicing in prosperity and
happiness on the soil he trod so long ago, IN
rsising this stone in the Nations Hall OF Stat
nary does not merely celebrate a name illustri-
Gus for historic rcnown. a character whose eN-
colence is worthy of perpetual remembrance.
il means still mOre-that Il shall stand there
rs a testimony and monument 10 principle
of social order OF the utmost value 10
mankind-the principle of religious liberty
Sir, human intelligence and reason in all the
history OF the world teach no more useful ana
impressive lesson than is embodied IN thai
fundamental rule which draws an absolute
and impassable line between the affairs OF State
and the affairs of religion, and denies to social
law all right OF jurisdiction TO transcend 1t"
The statue was accepted.
Consideration of the Naval bill was then
resumed, the question being on the item OF
battleships. Mr.. Teller Colo, r. was recOg-
nizpd for some general remarks on the financial
Issues involved. devoting himself in particular
10 answering Mr.. Sherman's remarks yester-
day.
He declared that the castigation Of the Sen
ate by the Senator from Ohio for declining TO
pass a revenue law unwarranted. The
Dngley bill WAS not presented with any pur-
pose of passing il. There was the certainly IN
advance that il could have no Executive APP
prevail if passed. and that no Democrat ana
no Popuist would vote for il in the Senate.
Those who framed the bill knew it could not
pass The Senate At least one Populist vote
could have been secured for it had certain con-
cessions been made. But there were no con-
cessions and no efforts 10 secure action.
Mr. Sherman answered Mr.. Teller. He said
he respected the honesty and the intense ear
nestness OF the Colorado Senator. What had
been said. however, was not new. The Colorado
Senator believed in the free coinage OF silver
meaning dollar worth so cents-as the saliva
ton of the country. MIR. Sherman said there
should he 10 blind fad presented 10 the people.
he himself believed in the largest possible use
of silver consistent with the maintenance of
gold standard. As 10 the references made to
the Mckinley bill Mr. Sherman said there had
been differences of opinion as to it,
Mr. Hale, in charge of the Naval bill. pro-
tested against Juggling ia ali the old issues and
financial discussions" He said il this was kept
Mr.. Stewart then made a speech on silver.
e&E
IN the House, Mr.. Walker IVA, r. from
Committee on Elections No. 2, presented the
report on the contested election case of Giles
Otis Pearce VS.. John c. Bell from the Second
Colorado District, in favor of the latter. The
report was adopted. The majority aud minority
reports in the case OF Thorp VS.. Mex enney, from
the Fourth Virginia District, in favor of the
contestant, were filed also, the report in the
case of Hore VS.. Otey, from the Fifth Virginia
District, in favor of the sitting member.
Mr.. Dockcry (Mo, ID. made an attack on the
alleged eStravagant appropriations OF this Corr
grcss notwithstanding the condition of the
Treasury. lie said that in 1894 the deficiency 10
the revenues was $50 100000; in 1895 So, 000.-
0o0, and for the present year it would not he
less than $25.000,o00. The surplus in the
Treasury, be said, was the result OF borrowing
money by issuing bonds and he insisted that
the alternative presented TO meet the situation
was to increase taxation or reduce expendi-
lures. He figured grand total of liabilities
for this session Of Congress Of $605 600 600.
Mir. pingley Nc r. admitted that the direct
appropriations exceeded $500. 100000 but over
$5U.O00.00O was to pay the interest and re-
ouce the public debt.