The morning times., 1896-04-07
PASSED UNDER PROTEST
River and Harhor Bill Rushed
: Through by Suspension.
IT CARRIES OVER S62,OOO,OOO
Only Forty Minutes' Debate Was Al
lowed and 1t Was Used to Good
Advantage by the OppOsitiOn-DOck
cry Declared the Republicans Were
-. Afraid of Their Own Majority.

The river and harbOr appropriation bill,
carrying more than $62 ,OOU.OUO was yes
teruay passed. by the House under suspension
OF the rules.
Dehate was limited to twenty minutes on
each side and no opportunity was afforded
for offering amendments.
+ or the amount carried in the bill $10,-
009, ,OG0 is in cash and SOL 900 900 for
continuing contract work.
This is the first time in Congressional
history that river and harbor bill has so
expeditiously passed.
In reply TO "a question by member Mr..
Hooker, in charge, stated that the bill had
been mCu1fied In SOME particulars since ii
had been reported. some MISUNDERSTANDING been
orderedbyt commit tee yesterday morning.
Mr. Dockery subsequently alleged that
the changes made yesterday morning alone
aggregated an addition of $137 900.
DEBATE OF FORTY MINUTES.
The reading Of the bin occupied an hour
and u half and at its conclusion the
fort ty-niinuIe debate began. MIR. Burton
was the first speaker ana in advocating the
bill eutoglZed The contract system for the
prosecution Of pubic work as securing the
best and speeuicst results. The bill bad
been criticised he said, as cxtravagant,
but the charge WAS not well founded.
Mr.. Docktry, leading the opposition To the
bIli, SAID lit was III favor OF just and proper
app ropriatiOnS for the improvement of
rivers and harpors, bur he was not in favor
OF ilie policy which compelled the House To
appropriate money for the Improvement of
unlmportant streams TO secure that result.
But, ii lie approved every item III the bill,
he would oppose its passage under suS-
pension OF the rules. The House was en-
Titled TO proceed IN the usual method With
the consideration OF bill carrying direct
present appropriation OF Slo,421 $50, and
q constituronaIcxp xpendlture or fS5l.721
Mr. Decacry declared that the Republican
managers tIad brought the bill in 10 be
passed under suspension of the rules, be-
cause they lacked confidence in their own
great majority, They were afraid, if tie
bal were ltit open TO amendment, that sew
erai million dollars would be added TO the
total and no chances could be taken on a
misfortune OF that kind, in view OF The
economic policy now being pursued.
Mr.. Hepburn made a Dine-minute speech
against the bill.
PORK SECURED ITS PASSAGE.
The bil,' he said. ''carries no pork for
my district, bat there is enough in 1t to
cure its passage, and l recognize that
nothing | can say Will interfere with the
stately march Of this appropriation TO
com pietion.
Il nave no objection TO the legitimate
Improvement OF our waterways. L am
trying to rcbuke, if possible, the methods
employed to secure this immense sum of
money
In conclusion Mr.. Hepburn said he de-
sired only to speak of the viciousness of
the system summoned by the gentleman
from New York, to bring a bill into the
House carrying Obligations TO the amount
OF sixty-twO millions OF dollars and
demand that il be passed with only forty
minutes debate and without opportunity
to ammend it.
Mr.. Catchings, chairman of the COM
mittee in the last Congress, replied 10
Mr.. Hepburn. This bill.'' he said, lis
the best bill, the most scientifically drawn,
and will rebound more 10 the benefit of
the whole country than any bill that has
been presented TO the House since | have
been in CoDgrC
Upon the question of suspending the
rules and passing the bill, the vote, by
division. stood, ayes, 216; nays, 40; and
the announcement by the speaker was rol-
lowed by applause. An effort TO secure
Il vote by yeas and nays failed.
Mr. Hepburn, in leaving the subject,
remarked that the vote showed the general
eveuness with which the pork had been
distributed"