The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-22
Several Heated Controversies in the
Senate Yesterday over the Bill
Prohibiting Bond Issues.
IN SHUTTING OFF DEBATE ON THE
MEASURE FOR ONE DAY.
Report on the Legislative,
ton Bill Rejected After Debate.

| WASHINGTON, May 2l-The Senate had
an hour of much excitement, with a resort
| to obstructive tactics and several heated
| personal encounters. at a late hour to-day.
| The early portion OF the session had been
| given TO the routine OF agreeing on confer
| ence reports on appropriation bills. AT 5
| O'Clock Mr.. Butler moved TO take up his bill
prohibiting the further issue of interest
/ bearing bonds.
| Mr. Hill Immediately moved an adjourn
ment, securing yea and nay vote In order
| to secure time. The motion to adjourn was
| defeated, wnereupon Mr.. Chandler followed
| with a motion for an executive session.
| Mr.. Pettigrew asked leave TO offer sup
| Elementary conference report on the Indian
bill. The consent being given Mr.. Hill i'm
mediately demanded the full reading of the
report This was an unexpected move for
delay. as the report was very voluminous-
| The presiding officer, Mr.. Faulkner, ruled
that Mr.. Hills demand was regular, and
| directed the clerk to proceed with the read
| ing of the report. Senators Butler, Stew
art and Allen interposed a chorus of pro-
| tests.
Mr. Allen said ne hoped the Senate would
| not violate every decency and propriety
| by these obstructive tactics.
What right have you to the fioor?" asked
| Mr.. Hill sharply, addressing Mr.. Allen per-
sonally. Then, addressing the Chair. Mr..
| Hill added: He has right to the floor"
Yes 1 have, too" declared Allen. II
have the right to speak, and 1 propose to
| do So"
Others have rights as well as you," re-
| sponded Mr.. Hill. slrt
The tone of the Senator's voice showed
| much feeling. Mr.. Allen was allowed to
proceed. and said this obstruction was man.
| ifestly aimed at a Populist measure.
II glad it is admitted to be a Populist
measure" INTERCEPTED Mr.. Hill.
| Mr.. Butler interposed to state that the
filibuster would have been made against the
| bill whether urged by a Popullst, Democrat
| or Republican, because ii prohibited bonds.
| At this point very heated colloquy &C.
| Cured between Mr. Hin and Mr.. Allen. The
latter had continued to hold the floor Dc
spoke with much feeling. saying he had
| never known the spirit of unanimous agree
| ment of the Senate to be violated, and the
| Senator who committed such a violation
now would regret it. ~
II would like to know If the Senator re-
| fers to me?' said Mr.. Hill, rising quickly.
/ There was momentary silence owing to
the suggestive tone of Mr.. Hills inquiry.
What does the Senator want to know
for?' asked Mr.. Allen, with equal signdn-
| canoe
IT want to know II the reference is to
| me-"
II referred to the Senator" said Mr..
| Allen.
Then I desire to say here" answered
| fa.se, absolutely false. have violated no
agreement and my course waa sustained by
| the Chair" IS
THE Senator will never be able to con-
| vince me-" said Mr. Allen. In somewhat SUBJ
dned tones. that he was honest in having
Il care nothing about convincing you.
stand on my rights here" answered Mr..
| Hill contemptuously.----4
The vote was about to be taken when.
sEarl of parliamentary obstruction was in
| terposed. For an hour roll calls and calls
of the Senate obstructed business, a quorum
disappearing on most votes.
| A privileged conference report on the river
and harbor bill, not including the California
| items, was presented and agreed to- Mr..
| Stewart protested against the obstruction.
| Mr.. Gray moved to adjourn, but a stand
ing vote again disclosed the absence Of a
/ quorum. $50
Mr.. PETER end<-svored to effect a COM
| premise by having a time fixed for a vote
on the bond prohibition, but there was
Mr. Stewart moved that the sergeant-at-
arms be directed to request the presence of
Senators The motion prevailed and bust
sergeant-at-arnns looked up absent Senators.
1t was CHS p. m. when tie suspension of
business occurred and the outlook was , for
! about the chamber or repaired to the cloak
rooms. AT $50 1t was evident that no action
could be secured. as Senators were slipping
| away from the building, and Mr.. Butler,
| author of the prohibitory bend bill, rose
and stated that he would pot inconvenience
continue the contest tomorrow noon. Mr..
Stewart hurried to Mr.: Buffers side and
suggested that the motion be for a recess
| until tomorrow instead of an adjournment.
| Mr.. Butler moved recess. but the Chair
| held that in the absence of a quorum no
| adjournment. .'Then move to adjourn"
| said Mr.. Butler. giving up the contest for
| tonight, and at 6:35 the Senate adjourned.
conference report was taken up Mr. Ba-
con argued against approving the agree
ment to omit the appropriation for the
| this the Senate disagreed to the entire re-
port and recommitted it to conference.
ask r the Sen Senate to insist on the &c amend
ments relating TO the California harbors.
The bill was passed authorizing the con-
| struction of a railroad bridge over the
| Allegheny river northeast of the eastern
boundary line of Pittsburg
The conference raport on the S;
was taken up and led to considerable de-
bate on the item relative to United states
commissioners with district attorneys and
| marshals in change from the fee to the
salary system The Senate omitted com
| missioners from the plan of reform. Tie
conference report abolished the present
office OF United state commissioner, and
in it's place created commissioners TO be
| named by the district instead of by the
circuit courts for terms of four years.
| Mr. Platt declared this was the unjustIi-
| able legislating out of Office of four 10 six
| hundred officials. It proposed term MAX
ing the new offices political in character to
| be scrambled for every four years.
| An extended debate followed to the
| appontive power of Congress in which Sem
| ators Platt Chandler, Thurston, White,
Cockrell. Gray, Mills Cullom and lin par
| t.cipated 1t developed .nuch opposition TO
| the conference report. Mr.. Hill raised the
additional point against The report that it
agreed TO change the date OF the meeting
of the Legislature of New Mexico. although
| the Senate had rejected the proposed
| change as a partisan move
| Mr.. Cullom's motion TO agree 20 he re-
| port was defeated-yeas 26, nays 33-and
| the bill was then sent back to conference
| Mr. Butler then made his motion TO pro-
coed with the prohibitory bond resol1tion.
| as stated above.