Evening star., 1896-02-21
in THE HOUSE TO-DAY
Questions Raised While Talking Of Indian
Appropriations
MIR. Barrett Takes Advantage of an
OppOrtunity-The Power of Con-
gress to Reduce Salaries.

The attendance in the House today was
small The Senate amendments to the
Military Academy appropriation bill were
concurred in. The Senate bill to amend
section 52sl of the Revised Statutes relative
to the power of the Secretary of the Treas
ury to remit or mitigate fines, penalties
and forfeitures was passed; also the Senate
bill relating to final proof in timber culture
entries.
Mr.. McMi.lin CTenn) inquired very closely
into the effect of the latter bill and as to
whether it had been indorsed by the COM
missioner of the general land office
Il do not want to appear captious in
these matters" said he, but only few
Gays ago an innocent-looking bill carrying
$4,000 was brought up here and was as
sured that 1t had the approval of the In
terror Department Upon that assurance 1
withdrew opposition. ! have since learned
that 1T did not have the approval Of the
department and tnat 1t will cost half a
million dollars to carry Out it's provisions"
1.-THE committee gave snch assur-
ance." said Mr.. Lacey, chairman of the
committee on public lands.
Some one. who 1 supposed had authority
to speak, did give It, replied Mr.. McMllln.
The Indian Appropriations.
The House then went into committee of
the whole. and resumed the consideration
OF the Indian appropriation bill. When the
committee rose yesterday Mr.. Flynn's
amendment to strike out the appropria ton
OF $l5,OOO for five Indian inspectors was
pending. 1t was in connection with an
amendment to reduce the salaries Of these
inspectors. fixed In the bill at 5000 each,
that the appeals of Mr.. Dingley and Mr.
Cannon We're disregarded. Today the econ
omists again returned to the attack, and
Mr.. Grow PaD moved to decrease the
salaries from S',OCO to $1,000.
Mr.. Crisp (Ga) raised the point Of order
that as the salaries Were fixed by law the
amendment changed existing law and was
cut of order.
Mr.. Brumm Pa) argued that if the point
| held good it would not be competent for
Congress to reduce the salaries of govern
nient officers.
Not for four years" replied Mr.. Crisp.
The tenure is four years
Mr.. Bnrrett Sarcastic.
Mr.. Barrett CMass.) took occasion during
the debate on the point of order to make
few sarcastic remarks about the action
of the Treasury Department in awarding
the bonds under the forfeit bond bids to
the Morgan syndicate. Il am very tired
of hearing on this floor" said he "that
| we have not money enough to pay govern
me mt officers the salaries fixed by law
why. he continued. I'VE have plenty OF
| money. Only day before yesterday Secre-
| tary Carlisle presented out of hand to J.
P.erpont Morgan. a citizen of New York
| little matter of $2OS,44O. bid of 81, 700.
| W0 had been forfeited and although the
/ Secretary had before him bid for the for
| feited bonds from a responsible Boston
| bank that would have realized to the treas
| ury s5.lSs,tOo. he deliberately accepted the
bid from the Morgan syndicate that only
realized S.9sO.WD.''
At this point Mr.. Barrett was taken of
| the hoor by point of order. He took his
seat with the threat that he would find al
opportunity to make himself heard later
/ tIrOSESuDr sri
ring protest against raising salaries when
the government was issuing bonds tc de-
fray current expenses; when cattle are
worth : cents pound and horses 81; d
| head.
| Il warn You gentlemen on both sides OF
| the aisle" said he, that the people have
i their eyes on this Congress. They are
| watching to see whether this Congress i:
| willing to create new exaggerate tn,
| salaries of old officers" Speaking to thu
| point of order. he ARGUED that Congress wa:
| not compelled to appropriate for salarie:
| the sums fixed by law. If it were. ther;
| woulo be no power in the body that created
| officers to reduce salaries.
| Applauded by Republicans.
! Mr.. DeArmond (Mo) argued that the
House had deprived itself of that power by
refusing to adopt the rule of the last Con
gress which allowed amendments to appro-
| priation bills that changed existing law
| when such changes reduced expenditures
| But with reference to the present bill. al
| amendment adopted yesterday to the effect
| that the salaries appropriated therein
| should be accepted in full compensation
| had he argued already changed existing
| law, and the pending amendment was
| therefore, IN order. He refused to follow
the leadership of his friend (Mr Crisp with
| great reluctance in this matter and only OF
| the deep conviction that he was wrong
The issue was most far reaching and shoult
| be decided correctly. The republicans ap
| plauded Mr.. DeArmond when he took hi:
| seat.