The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-18
MORTON ON THE SPIT AGAIN.
Again Basted and Drowned I'm the
HOuse-B0nd Sale Inquiry.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE agricul-
tural appropriation bill occupied the atten-
tion of the House to-day. A great deal Of
criticism Of Secretary Morton was in
dulged in on both sides of the political
aisle, but, as on Saturday. no one arose TO
his defense. At last Mr.. Pearson, of North
Carolina, arose and asked if there was
not some member, Democrat, Populist or
Republican, who would raise a voice in his
defense. His question was greeted with a
chorus of noes from all sides of the
house. The omission in the bill of a pro-
vision for a chief clerk of the Bureau Of
Animal Industry. at a salary of $1,000.
which was made on the Secretary's recon-
mendation, led to the insinuation that the
Secretary wanted to legislate out of Office
p. F. Lysle, a free silver Democrat from
appointed on the recommendation Of the
Missouri Senators, and it was intimated
that Secretary Morton's action was an at
tempt to retaliate on Senator Vest for the
latter's attack on him in the Senate about
two weeks ago. An amendment was pend
ing when the House adjourned, making
mandatory the execution of the provision
in the bill for the distribution of seed. 1t
is understood that Mr.. Couzins. of Iowa,
will tomorrow offer an amendment direct
Ing the Secretary of the Treasury to with
ho,d the payment of Secretary Morton's
salary until this provision is executed. An
amendment appropriating $4,000 for a new
falfoGa the th tf bill M Was taken keDk up ~a she aasS Senate
amendments to the urgent deficiency ball
were n-cnconcurred in, and a bill was
passed for the examination and classifica-
ton of lands in the railroad grants of Cali
fornia. The bill is practically an extension
of the act of the last Congress for the
segregation of mineral lands In the railroad
grants in Idaho and Montana to the State
of California.
Mr.. Dalzell, from the committee on ways
and means, reported a resolution of in
quiry. calling on the Secretary of the
Treasury for an exhaustive report relative
to the sale of bonds under the resumption
act between the periods of 1879 and March
J, 1885. and between the latter date and
Mr.. Washington offered an amendment
calling on the Secretary for detailed in
formation as to the manner in which bonds
had been sold between 1913 and 1893. Mr..
washington said the country shoul know
whether the methods pursued by this ad-
ministration when the treasury was I'm dire
distress were different from those pursued
by other administrations.
Mr. Grosvenor said that he would also
be glad TO have all the facts as to the
financial operations OF the treasury known.
but he expressed the opinion that the result
would be a great disappointment TO the
Democratic side.
What premium was obtained for the
bonds sold to effect resumption" asked
Mr.. McMillin.
They were sold at par replied Mr..
G~rosvenor.
"Then less was obtained for them re-
torted Mr.. McMillin, than was obtained
fer the sale complained Of"
1T must be remembered" returred Mr..
Grosvenor, that at that time gold was, at
a. premium and We were struggling against
the opposition of the Democratic party and
its predictions of universal disaster"
Mr.. Da.zen said he would have no OBJ
lection to the purpose of Mr.. Washington's
amendment, but he thought IL was not
germane to the resolution before the House.
Mr.. W~ashington's amendment was defeated
and the resolution was adopted.
The House then went into committee of
the whole and resumed the consideration of
the agricultural bill under the five-minute
rule. Amendments were adopted as fol-
lows: On motion of Mr.. Doolittle, direct
ing the Secretary of Agriculture to dis
tribute fibre ffaxseed in the State of Wash
ington, and on motion of Mr.. Long, appro-
priating $1,000 for continuing the investi-
CATION of modes of irrigation. At 5 O'Clock
the House adjourned.
Following were among the bills and reso-
lutions introduced in the House to-day:
BY Mr.. Tracey, of Missouri-To create an
executive department of which
shall rave under It's jurisdiction the COM
missioner of railroads and supersede the
1nterstate-commeTce Commission. 1t shall
contain also the bureaus of American and
foreign commerce and commercial informa-
ton and statistics.
BY Mr.. Bell, of Colorado-To authorize
the exploration and purchase OF mines with
in the boundaries of private land claims.
for a topographic survey and mark eleva-
lions on arid lands.