Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-04-14
FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, April IA.
aENATT.

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reached the age of sc years and to day
he was in his seat in the Senate cham
Der, as active and alert as any time
within the last ten or fifteen years:
When the days session was opened
with prayer, the chaplain, Rev. MIR.
Milburn. in his invocation, made ap-
propriate allusion to, the occasion;
and the prayer was ordered to be
printed in the Record.
In the course of the morning busi-
ness Mr.. Morrill,, who is chairman OF
the committee on public buildings and
grounds, gave notice that he would, on
Thursday next, ask the Senate to hear
him for 10 or Is minutes, when he
hoped to satisfy the Senate that an ad-
ditional building for the National Mu-
scum is an absolute necessity.
Mr.. Squire addressed the Senate on
the subject of the national defense. He
opened his speech in these words
MIR. President, what are our ideals as
a nation? What is our conception OF
our character and destiny? We are
for peace. Are we for peace at any
price? We are for independence. Are
we for independence without taking
steps to maintain that independence ?
We are for progress and advancement
of the interests, not only of our own
people, but of all mankind. We are
full of sympathy for the oppressed and
down trodden in every part OF the
civilized world. We are for the
"Monroe doctrine"-for the preserva-
ton of the soil inviolate from European
aggression on both the American con-
| tinents. Are we willing to support our
belief in the Monroe doctrine by
something more than empty decla-
rations, which are "as sounding
brass and tinkling cymbals ?" Again
we are for economy in expendi-
lures. Are we for that false
economy that takes no proper thought
OF tomorrow and makes no provision
against the greatest possible risks to
out safety, dignity and the peace as ma
ton? What an absurd spectacle has
the Congress of the United States pre-
sented during the present session by
| its persistent talk in favor of the inter-
vention by the United States in
behalf of Cuba and Venezuela. How
cheap is all this talk, sincere though 1t
may be on many occasions. Every
man who has informed himself on the
subject of national defenses knows that
as a nation we are not in condition to
undertake war or to suffer war. 1t is
the very last thing we can undertake
or suffer in our present condition, be-
cause it will certainly bring the great
est loss and humiliation. The people
know that the nation has millions Of
brave and patriotic men who would
gather at the call to arms. But they
! do not know that there is no means
of arming these hosts upon the emerg-
ency that may arise. They do not
know that the great sea coast cities are
yet exposed and defenceless against at
tack by navies with vessels far out
numbering ours in strength.
At the close of Mr.. Squire's speech
the Dupont election case was taken up
and Mr.. Chandler addressed the Senate
| in advocacy of Mr.. Dupont's right to
the vacant seat in the Senate from the
State of Delaware.
HOUSE.
In the House to-day Mr.. Bingham
reported from the conferees on the leg
islative, executive and judicial appro-
priation bill the agreement made, leav.
ing the two Houses still apart on some
thing over one hundred of the 3l4
amendments made by the Senate. MIR.
Bingham explained the grounds of diff
ference. He stated that the increases
made by the Senate in the matter of its
employees were not warranted. He had
| for years seen the House stand valiant
ly against the policy of the Senate, in
the matter of the expenses OF that
body, but he had never seen any other
result than the retirement of the House
from the contest, leaving the Senate in
control.
Mr.. Hopkins-Isn't it true that the
Senate has always conceded to the
House perfect right and freedom in ar
ranging the number and salaries OF its
employees?
Mr.. Bingham-Oh, yes.
Mr.. Hopkins-All that the Senate
asks is that we shall not interfere in
| what might be termed their own do
nestle affairs.
Mr.. Bingham said that the bill as it
passed the House carried appropriations
| for salaries of employees amounting, on
the average, to 1899, for every member
of the House. AS it passed the Senate
the salaries for Senate employees aver
| aged $4,4S3 for every member of that
BODY. The Senate had amended the
bill by making clerks to Senators, not
chairmen of committees annual, instead
of seasonal and increasing their sala-
ries from 800 month to $500 year.
Mr.. Cannon stated to the House that
he was in full sympathy with the posi-
ton taken by the gentleman from Penn
sylvania and gave notice, that, in his
opinion, if the House wanted to pay
clerks during vacations, they would or
der it to be done by one of the two
methods that are parliamentary prop
er, mainly and right and not in viola
sion of the rules of the House. But it
could not be done by an amendment to
an appropriation bill.
The report of the conferees was
agreed to, and further conference on
the disputed points ordered.
The House entered upon the consid
Grafton of the Notifications appropria-
ton bill.
Mr.. Bartlett said the country would
be absolutely at the mercy of any
foreign foe, unless it CHANGED that that
foe should be inferior to the United