The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-20
Another Big Appropriation Bill
Passes Senate.
CARRIES OVER 100000
Appropriations For Church Pur
poses Discussed.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARITIES
The Private System Not to be Struck
Down Until Good Govern
ment System Has Been
Provided.

Provided.
Washington, May 19.-The Senate
to-day passed the District of Columbia
Appropriation bin, carrying approxi |
mately $7,300,000.
4 debate on the question ofappropria-
tions for sectarian purposes cropped
out on the paragraph making appro-
priations for charities in the District.
ON a motion the Senate sustained the
committee in providing specific appro-
priations for numerous private char
table institutions, some OF them Of
sectarian character A further provis-
ion was adopted for an investigation
into the charity system Of the Dis
trict. with view to ascertaining what,
If any. part of the public appropria
tions are used for church purposes.
Mr.. Bacon (Dem., Georgia. offered
a resolution, which was referred for
| the loan of exhibits from the various
| governments departments and Smith
sollian institution to the Southern
4 States Exposition at Chicago from Au-
gust to November, 1896.
The House amendment fixing the
pension Of the widow Of Gen. Thomas
| Ewing at SIS, was agreed to.
The item for charitable institutions,
| the District of Columbia Appropria-
| ton bill, brought out some general de
bate on the sectarian question. The
| House provision gave a sum in bulk
for charitable purposes, providing that
no part of the appropriation should
/ be paid to the institutions under sec
| tartan control. The Senate committee
/ amended the section so as to give
| specific appropriation to numerous in
A Ic+s4 of a fa7&
| ian character, with a proviso that no
part of the appropriation shall be paid
| for aiding or maintaining by payment
| for service or otherwise, any church or
| religious denomination.
/ Mr.. Platt rep, Connecticut) OPP
| posed the committee change.
Mr.. Peffer Pop, Kansas also OPP
posed the committee change, saying
/ that the Senate should adopt heroic
treatment in dealing with this qnes-
ton.
Mr.. Teller (Rep., Colorado, in charge
| of the bill, said that while he was in
| favor Of government control Of govern
/ ment institutions, yet it was felt the
/ government charities were not yet
| adequate in the District Of Columbia
/ to permit an immediate abandonment
Of the old system.
/ Mr.. Gallinger lRep., N. H., added
| a protest against the committee change,
/ and expressed the belief that if the
/ present Congress failed to meet this
question by restricting government
appropriation to strictly government
| purposes, the reform would be carried
| out in the near future.
Mr.. Sherman expressed his belief in
the general principles of the restric-
| ton Of the government aid To govern
| nlent institutions, yet he said the pres
| ent private system of charity should
| not be struck down until a government
service was provided for the sick and
| needy.
Mr.. Sherman related how Thad.
| Stevens, who was supposed to be
| stern, unyielding man, did all he could
| to maintain these institutions, al
though, said Mr.. Sherman, every one
| thought he was cynical old bachelor
| without a heart" The Senator said
any religion was better than no reli-
| gion. He believed there was good in
any religion which acknowledged Al
mighty God, and was guided by the
fBible.
/ Mr.. German and Mr.. CockrelI Dem.
| Mo-, supported the committee amend
ment and Mr., George (Dem., Mass J,
| opposed it.
Mr.. Gallinger, in answer to Mr.. Sher-
man, and others, pointed out that he
had never mentioned particular
| church dufi1g the entire sectarian con-
| troyersy. 1T had remained for others
| TO mention particular religious or
| ganization. He was not so narrow, he
said, as to place an obstruction in the
| way of the charity and benevolence of
| any religious organization. But he had
| been brought up in a locality where the
| churches took care of their poor. They
| did not go to the State for apropria-
| tions and here in Washington they
should not look to the Federal treasury
| for aid
Mr.. Allison (Rep., Pal, chairman Of
| the Appropriation committee, said the
committee amendments were designed
| TO make the largest possible use of the
limited government charities in Wash
| ington, without crippIing many worthy
| private charities. The committee
amendment giving stated sums to nu-
| merous private charities was then
| agreed to, yeas 35, nays 13.
The bill was passed, and at $3.50 the
| Senate held brief executive session
and then adjourned.