The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-05-14
THE LARGEST HARBoR BILL IN
HISTORY PASSED BY THE
SENATE.
s12,2oo,ooo OF 1T DIRECT.
TOTAL MADE UP BY CONTRACTS
AUTHORIZED UNDER CoNTIN-
UOUS SYSTEM.
GoRMAN AMENDMENT DEFEATED
No Limit on the Secretary of War as
to Annual Total of Con-
traOcts.

WASHINGTON, May 13-The river and har-
senate today after an unusually stormy ex-
perience lasting many days. AS finally passed
the bill makes direct appropriations OF $l2,-
200 600, and authorizes continuing contracts
of $64 600 600, aggregate of about s76 6OoOO O0o.
During the debate today the statement was
made that this was the largest aggregate
for river and harbor bill in the history Of
the government. Mr.. German sought to secure
an amendment to the bill limiting the con-
tract expenditures to $10,000,000 annually, but
the amendment tabled, yeas 40, nays 25.
Mr.. Frye, chairman of the commerce com
mittee closed the debate on the bill show
ing the remarkable development of American
commerce, and the consequent decrease in
freight rates. On the final passage of the bill
nine senator's voted in the negative. num-
ber of house bills on the calendar were passed
during the day, including the bill requiring
one years residence in any territory as requi-
site for divorce.
In accordance with the unanimous agree
ment the senate will, tomorrow, take up the
resolution giving Mr.. Dupont seat as senator
from Delaware 1t now looks, however, as
though no vote on the case will be reached,
and that motion to postpone until the next
session will be made and will prevail. 1t is
understood that the necessary Populist votes
can be obtained for this purpose if the Re-
publicans so DESIRE while these votes can
not be controlled for the resolution.
The river and harbor bill was taken up
as soon as the senate convened today. The
pending question was Mr.. Germans amend
ment directing the secretary of war to so
apportion contract appropriations that not
more than ten millions be expended on con-
tracts in any one year. Mr.. Vest opposed
the German amendment, declaring that 1t
would permit the secretary of war to nullify
the river and harbor bill, and to substitute
his opinion in lieu of that of congress. He
did not believe there could be partisan in
the chamber who would give such autocratic
power to a cabinet officer. He had never
known a secretary of war to whom he would
extend such vast power. While he was
Demorcat and knew the expenditures would
be made by Democratic officials up to March
next yet that was not factor to consider,
as he opposed any such abdication of power
by congress and it's transfer to any official
Vest moved to table the German PROPOSE
ton and all amendments which motion pre-
vailed, yeas, 40; nays, %.
The bill was then put on its passage.
Mr.. Smith Oem., N. J.) demanded the yeas
and nays. On the roll call the bill was
passed-yeas 81, nays g. Those who voted
in the negative were: Bate (Tenn.), Chiffon
Texas) Harris (Tenn.), Hill CN. ", Smith
N. JD, and Villas (Wis.), Democrats; Brown
Otah), Republican; and Allen (Neb). and
Kyle Is. D., Populists. The chair named
Senators Frye Quay and Vest as conferees
on the river and harbor bill.
Mr.. Allen sought to amend the bill re-
lating to practice in the courts Of the In
dian tR'ritory SO as to apply the punish
ment for contempt to all United States
courts except the supreme court, and made
speech in support of the amendment. He
characterized the abuse Of the right of in
junction as a form of slavery. This effort
by Mr.. Allen brought out statement from
him that he would seek to take up the reg
ular bill providing for contempt of court
Immediately after the disposal of the reso-
luton for the election of senators by the
people. Mr.. Mitchell said in turn he would
make an effort to secure consideration Of the
latter after the passage of all appropriation
bills except the general deficiency