The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-03
SENATE, TOO,
Passes the Enormous River and
HarbOr Steal
By an Overwhelming Majority
SO to 3.
TREASURY BANKRUPT,
But Our Billion Dollar Congress
Doesn't Care,
$75,OOO,OOO for Harbors, Riv-
ers, Greeks and SlOughs.

Washington, June "a contest for
the right of way arose as soon as the
senate met today. Mr.. Vest (Dem. MOO
who in the absence Of Mr.. Frye is in
charge of the river and harbor bill
sought to have the presidents veto OF
the measure taken UP.
This was opposed by Mr.. Pettigrew
(Rep. S. ID in charge of the Indian ap-
preparation bill conference. Mr.. Vest
urged that suspension and pos
sible destruction of the work Of i'm
prOvement of internal waterways was
of more moment than any other one
subject, save that of the national hon
or.
1t was imperative that the question
be settled now so that if the veto was
sustained it could be determined wheth
er any other river and harbor bill was
to be framed.
The bill and veto were taken up
Yeas 3S; nays, 10.
The negative vote was cast by
DemOcrats-Bate. Chiffon, Harris. Pal
mer, Vilas-5; Republicans-B Brown,
Morrill, Pettigrew, Pritchard, Teller
. Total 10
The veto message was then taken up.
Mr.. Vest said the veto contained
statements which, however, much he
might respect the high Office of presi-
dent, ought not to go uuchauenged. The
senator did not question the presidents
veto prerOgatiVe, but the trainers of
the constitution never had intended
that this power should be used in the
ordinary affairs Of the government. 1t
was to be q power to meet extraordin-
airy affairs of the government. 1t was
to be a power to meet extraordinary
emergencies when popular passion mad
led to hasty legislation or when con-
stitutional question was involved. The
early presidents who stood nearest to
the constitution. exercised the veto
power but seven times-twice by Wash
ington five times by Madison and new
er by jefferson or John Adams
Nj Vest then aualyzed the state
ments of the veteran coinage extrava--
gance. The president had, he said. sta
ted that the bill made direct apprOpri-
atiOns of S14000.0 900 while in fact they
aggregated S12 sos 800, a difference OF
1881. 100.
This was hardly characteristic of the
eXactnesS of the emauatOnS of Nr.
Cleveland who had never satisfied any
legislative body and seemed to have
a tendency to minimize the RESPONSE
bility of the legislator to his constitu-
euts.
Mr. Vest took up other items showing
that the totals We're less than the pres
ideut's statements would indicate The
senator said as to the general charge
of extravaganza that in connection with
vast interests involved in the extent of
the country and that the river and
harbOr bill covered for two years, this
measure was reasonable.
There were items open to question.
yet in all legislation this was the result
of compromise
Mr.. Vest said he had addressed a let
ter to Gen. Craighill chief of engi-
neers- asking for the facts as to the
statement of the president that he had
learned from official sources that the
bill contained appropriations intended
to serve private interests. The senator
said Gen. Craighill made no reply but
in response to a telegraphic query an
swered that the letter had been re
ferred to the secretary of war for in
structiOns." Up TO this date no infOr-
nation had been given.
so for reasons best known to the
administration" said ATr. Vest bitterly
1T is considered best not to go into de
tails but to indulge in general and his
tOrical defamation as to the alleged ex
travagance and favoritism in it,"
Mr.. Vest said he believed one of the
present charges applied to the Bruins
wick, Ca, harbOr, one of the best and
most economical improvements in the
country The senator spoke of cheaper
rates of transportation resulting from
improvements at the 500, New Orleans,
Baltimore, New York, Boston and else
where.
In the platform on which Mr. Cleve-
land was first nominated was a strong
plank for water improvements, and his
early MESA ges endorsed these improve
ments. Mr.. Vest prophesied that in the
near future legislation would be di-
Eected TO further developing information
al commerce and cheapening transpor-
tatiOn.