The Portland daily press., 1896-06-04

4
should vote for the passage of the bill
Notwithstanding the Presidents objec
tions. He did not think such an appro
priation bill ought over to be vetoed un-
DIR any circumstances. 1t was not q
mandatory provision, merely passive
one. II the Secretary OF the Treasury
sald there was no money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated, hs was not
bound to expend it. So that the Presi-
dent had complete control of the whole
IN after. He could not conceive case
where such bill should be vetoed. We
toes, he said, come to, one House or the
other now almost every day. Congress
ought to curb, or check if possible tine
exercise Of the veto power.
Mr. Smith, Democrat of New Jersey.
said that similar bills had been vetoed
Pierce.
MI. Villas. Democrat of Wisconsin, said
he could not support this measure.
Mr. Berry, Democrat o. Arkansas,
argued in favor of the passage OF the bill.
Mr.. Pattigrew, Republican of South Da-
kota. favored overriding the veto. He
| characterized the veto power as a relic
of the past which had no place in free
government. He denounced the President
In severe terms, charging MIN with utter
|
we'll as of the constitution, overriding
the law, influencing Congressman by
| the use OF patronage, enriching his favor
ties at the public expense and, in fact,
permitting no restraint upon his imperial
will.
4 Mr.. Bate, Democrat of Tennessee,
spoke of the veto. He asserted that the
issuance Of bonds was behind the bill OF
else tariff bill would overtop the Nc
Kinley bill
| Mr.. Hawley opposed the veto and ex-
pressed regret that the President had seen
fit to speak of the unhappy decadence of
the peoples respect for the government.
He was sorry to find that the President
was dominated by such a spirit of pos
simism. There was no decadenoe of the
respect Of the people for tho law and
government.
Mr.. Hill upheld the veto power against
the criticisms upon it, and reminded the
Democratic side of the chamber that
President Jackson 1napgurated the veto
ing of the river and harbor bills. The
last veto Of a river and harbor bill, MIR.
Hill said, was by President Arthur in
1882. The veto now under consideration
was based on the grounds of expedienoy,
| laying stress on the enormous amounts
to be expended now, and in the amount
in the immediate future. Mr.. Hill re-
gretted that the Constitution did not
/
lar items in the bill He favored joint
resolution to amend the Constitution
giving the President power to veto par
ticular items in appropriation bills. 1t
was made and laid on the table.
Mr. Butler, Populist of North Carolina,
thought Mr.. Hills proposed amendment
quite consistent with that Senator's 9
action yesterday against the bond bill
Mr.. Butler also proposed q Constitutional
amendment in regard to the veto power
giving 3 majority in each house the
power to pass bill over the Presidents
veto.
AT the close of Mr.. Buffers remarks,
the vote was taken and the river and
harbor bill was passed over the Presi-
dents veto by the necessary two-thirds
majority-yeas, St: nays 3.
The nays were Bates, Chiffon, Hill,
Smi tn and Villas.
The conference report (partial) on the
4 naval appropriation bill was presented by
Mr.. Hale, who explained that the only
matters still unadjusted had referenoesto
the number of new battleships, certain
provisions in regard to their oOnstruc-
, tion, and places where they are to be
built. all being involved in the question
of number. The only question remaining
open was as to the price of armor plate
for the contemplated ships.
, Mr.. Chandler said he did lot regard
the question between two battleships and
four battleships as Of great Importance.
, He was in favor Of two hattleships each
year, for the next ten years. but did not
in an one year. Mr.. Chandler said that
the Bethlehem works contracted to supply
armor plate for other countries for $500 a
ton, and the Secretary of the Navy could
make contract for the armor for those
ships for an average price of $3.50, instead
of $500. No contract should be made fol
1t prior to December next, when it is
ready to report to Congress. He hoped
that the Senate would insist upon that
amendment. Mr.. Lodge expressed the
hope that the Senate would recede from
it's amendment reducing the number ol
battIeships from four 10 two and agree te
, the bill as it came from the House. There
was not the slightest danger. he said OF
the United States getting into war, 1t il
had sufficient lnavy and proper coast
defenoes. With the exception OF Russia
the United States had no friend among
the nations of Europe, and standing
alone it was -eminently the duty Of
' Congress to see that the nation was in a
: position where l6 could command peace.
Mr.. Quay made the formal motion tina
the Senate reGede from its amendment re
ducing the number of bnttleships to two
!, After long discussion on the price o.
; armor plate, Mr.. Tillman, member of tn,
! committee on naval affairs said that tht
prices paid Carnegie and the Bethl chem
company were extravagant. He oharao-
terized Carnegie and the Bethlehem
the armor plate furnished by them to the
government as fraudulent, spongy and
: plug -holed" He asserted those institu-
tions had ''lobby" around the capitol.
, The conference report went over with.
l out action. 1t was decided that vote or
IL g.. ,ho t,r% %Nt-
ten tomorrow. Mr.. Morgan, Democrat
of Alabama offered a resolution which
was laid on the table calling on the
. President for information, and action ir
the matter of American citizens captured
on board the Competitor, by the Spanish
, authorities tried by court martial, an6
sentenced to death.