The Republican journal., 1896-02-20
Senator Vest Sarcastic.

senator vest sarcastic.
HE RIDICULES SECRETARY OF AGRICUI.-
TURE MORTON AND INDIRECTLY PoKEs
FUN AT THE PRESIDENT.
The Joint resolution as to seeds was be-
fore the Senate Feb. 9Th. 1t was reported
from the Committee on Agriculture on
January IS, and it directs the Secretary
of Agriculture to carry into effect the
provisions of the appropriation act for the
current fiscal year for the purchase and
distribution of valuable seeds and for the
printing, publication and distribution of
farmers bulletins.
The passage of the joint resolution was
advocated by Mr.. Vest, who expressed
his belief that the Secretary of Agricul-
ture has determined to disregard and dis
obey the law and to bring Senators and
Representatives into disrepute by charg-
ing that their aim in the distribution of
seeds was to obtain the favor of their con-
stituents. He exclaimed passionately
''The Democratic party has been most
unfortunate, not only in the dissensions
that exist in its own ranks, but the fact
that-to use Western phrase-'the devil
has owed the party a grudge and has paid
it in Secretary of Agriculture. y"
Mr. Vest proceeded to point out in
stances of government extravaganza
which has escaped the attention of the
Secretary of Agriculture, instancing the
eleven millions of profit to the bond syndi-
cate, the enormous waste in public print
ing and the expenditures of S110,0 900 in
one year for orchids, lilies of the valley
and giant palms for the White House.
"But," said Mr. Vest, 'swhen it comes
tn no 20 artc 1,o
cries, TO arms. to arms. Congress is
throwing away the peoples money and is
running the country. ] would rather
give twice the amount of the appropria-
ton to enable some poor man, in distant
county in the West, who is fighting the
hard battle of life, unaided by any gov
eminent, somethi that would make his
home comfortable and bring life to his
freside; l would rather put one flower in
the sick room of an overworked girl or
matron than have it said that | voted
$40, coo for flowers and exotics for the
receptions and banquets of the officials of
this government, where the chandelier
flashes it's light across the red wine and
the air is fragrant with perfume like the
spicy breezes of Araby the Blest.
''Just such things as this have caused
the people of this country to doubt
whether this is government Of the peo-
pie and for the people and to think that
they have no other rights except to pay
taxes to support government of the rich.
No wonder that we hear such appeals as
this coming from Wall street, Here
Mr. Vest sent to the clerk desk and had
read paragraph from the circular of a
firm of Wall street bankers and brokers
stating that the Senate is the real obstacle
to currency and other reforms and is
''sinking lower and lower in public esti-
nation
Mr.. Vest ridiculed the Secretary of
Agriculture, who, he said, acted as if he
were also the Secretary of War and the
Secretary of the Treasury. Mr.. Morton,
he said, was monomaniac on the subject
of gold.
The Senator from Mississippi, Mr..
George, had been grimly humorous, Mr..
Vest said, in his illusions last week to
useless seeds sent out by the Department
of Agriculture, and has spoken of ''golden
dog fennel." He (Mr. Vest suggested
that its Latin name be changed to "Aurifer
PENDULUM CAMS Mortonii'' "Under the
shade of the plant" Mr.. Vest concluded,
she reposes by day and dreams by night,
occasionally swinging his golden censor,
filled with incense, at the executive man
sion, and shouting:-
&C Holy, holy, art Thou, Oh, Grover,
King of Kings and Lord of LordsH -
The joint resolution went over without
action.