Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-02-13
THE SENATE PROGRAM
HEARING SET FOR THREE
IMPORTANT TOPICS.
Senator Vest Again Scores Secretary of
Agriculture MOrton-Bates of Tonnes
see, Defends the secretary'S Seed Policy
Republican Plans Frustrated.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l1.-Although
the Senate failed to accomplish much
yesterday, the session served to make
definite the program on number of
important matters Mr.. Morrill,, chair
man of the finance committee, gave
notice that he would call up the tariff
bill on next Wednesday. Mr.. Call Sc
cured unanimous consent that the
Cuban question be made the special
order following the deficiency appro-
priation bill. Mr.. Davis, author OF
the Davis resolution on the Monroe
doctrine, gave notice that on next
Wednesday he would call up the reso-
luton. Thus the three most import
ant pending questions were given a
definite time for hearing.
Consideration was resumed on the
resolution directing the Secretary of
Agriculture to carry out the law for
the distribution of seeds, and Mr..
Vest. Democrat of Missouri, renewed
his criticism of the Secretary, The
Senator called attention toa published
Interview with the Secretary of Agri-
Sllture inviting impeachment and inn
plying that the President would veto
She resolution if Congress passed it.
In view of these statements, Mr.. Vest
said, the President should have full
information on the subject, and he
proceeded 20 show from agricultural
department reports that the Secretary
had himsely, though opposing this
Seed law, used the appropriation for
his own purposes by making eHces-
sive seed distributions in his own
State of Nebraska.
sit is enough" declared the SEN
Rtor, to make the star.eyed goddess of
reform hang her head and blush for
shame. -
Mr.. Vest offered substitute resolu-
Zion, directing the Secretary of Agrl-
culture to purchase and distribute
seeds as in previous years, and to pro-
cure them by open purchase or con-
tract.
Mr.. Bate, Democrat, of Tennessee,
said it was not fair or just that the
Secretary of Agriculture should be
accused in this manner without his
view of the subject being understood.
The Senator said the senate speeches
were ''infammatory and declama-
tory" dealing with abuse and sarcasm,
when, in the opinion of Mr.. Bate, the
Secretary had acted with wisdom and
justice. The Senator said he had
looked into the charge of the Senator
from Missouri Vest, that orchids,
lilies of the valley and palms were
sent to the receptions by the President
and cabinet officers, and found that
not sprig Of green or rose had
ever been sent by the Secretary of
Agriculture to the White house or to
the home of any cabinet officer.
Mr.. Vest explained that lie had In
tended to show that the secretary, III
starting ont as q reformer, had failed
to reform this proaigate expenditure,
but it was not intended to say that the
secretary had direct control of the
subject.
So, declared Mr., Bate, the sarcasm
and invective of the orchids and lilies
of the valley and the dogfennel and
the light of the chandeliers on the red
wine was mere poetry and vanished
into the air. Mr.. Bate went on to de-
clare his fidelity to the agricultural
interests, but he opposed the appropri-
alton of Si9O, 900 for seeds this year be-
cause it would be too late to plant
them, and therefore they might as
well be thrown in the sea. At o'clock
the senate adjourned out of respect to
the memory of Congressman Grain.