The Indianapolis journal., 1896-01-28
Republican Membership of the Upper
Branch of Congress Now IA, One
short of n Majority.
NULLIFIER MORTON SCORED
CRITICISED By HANSBROUGH FOR
NOT DISTRIBUTING SEEDS.
Coast Defense Bond Bill offered by
Mr.. Lodge, Providing for "a Loan OF
One Hundred Million Dollars.

WASHINGTON, Jan. N.-Senators Frank
J. Cannon and Arthur Brown, of the new
State OF Utah, took the oath OF Office in
the Senate to-day. the former drawing the
term ending March 3, 18o9 and the latter
the term ending March g. 1897. With the
exception of the contested Delaware case
this establishes the political division of the
upper branch OF Congress until March A.
1897, as follows: Republicans, a.; Demo-
Gratis, SO: Populists. 6. Total, 50. Necessary
for a majority, -. Should Mr.. Dupont be
seated from Delaware the Republican vote
will be increased to IS. but at the same
time the number necessary for majority
would be increased TO 46.
Aside from the swearing in of the new
Senators the session was given to further
speeches on the silver bond bill two of
the new members OF the body, Mr.. Nelson,
of Minnesota. and Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia,
making speeches. the former against the
free coinage OF silver. and Mr.. Bacon urg-
ing the evils Of gold standard. Mr.. Hans
brough severely criticised the Secretary of
Agriculture for the alleged failure to dis
trfb.te seeds in accordance with the law.
Mr.. George defended Secretary Morton's
action. The debate will proceed tomorrow.
Mr.. Lodge offered an amendment to the
bond silver bill providing for a bond issue
of 500 .O00, GOO. the proceeds to be used for
coast defenses. 1t follows:
1.-THE Secretary OF the Treasury is hereby
authorized and directed 10 issue bonds to
q total amount OF $1,000 900 at such time
and in such amounts may be required
10 carry cut the purposes or this section
as hereinafter described. said bonds shall
be payable in coin twenty years from the
date OF their issue. They shall be offered
at par TO the people OF the United States
In denominations ranging from S'o 10 SiVV,
and shall bear interest at the rate of
per ,.entum. per annum. The subscriptions
to the loan, or to such portion of 1t as
may then be required, shall be opened on
July l. 1896 and at such subsequent dates
the Secretary OF the Treasury may
determine. at al subtreasuries of the
and the subscribers shall have the right
to pay fer the bonds in lawful money Of
the United States.
aThe sum of 100000 shall be annually
set aside from the revenue of the govern
ment for a sinking fund to pay the bonds
I: ISSUED Ol % under TINS act at maturity and the
take precedence OF all other appropria-
tions, except those for the sinking fund,
now established by law, and for the pay
ment Of the principal and interest of the
public debt
''The bonds authorized by this act shall
constitute loan to be known as the coast
defense loan and the proceeds of said
bonds shall be kept in the treasury a
fund apart and shall be used only for pro-
viding for the defense of the seacoasts and
lakes OF the United States and for the
manufacture OF guns. the purchase OF sites
that purpose in accordance with plans pre-
pared by the War Department as author
lied by law now or hereafter passed by
Congress to provide for coast defenses."
PRAYED FOR ARMENIA.
Rev. DR.. Milburn, the blind chaplain
prayed eloquently for bleeding Armenia
at the opening of the session Hear the
cry of our agony" he prayed, ''in behalf
OF the people of Armenia; despoiled, tor
tured. their homes in ashes. the men and
women and children slain at the edge of
the sword, their women dishonored. Arouse
and unite the powers OF Christendom, the
Queen, the Czar the Kaiser. Kings and
princes. their ministers and people, that
the Sultan shall be forced TO sheathe his
bloody sword and stay the frenzied rage
of his fanatical soldiers and subjects
The induction OF the Utah Senators oc-
CURED Immediately after the chaplain's
invocation, Mr.. Dubois presenting the Gre
destials Of Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Burrows
those Of Mr.. Brown. The credentials were
read. and. being in due form. the two new
senators proceeded to the desk of the Vice
President, where, with uplifted hand the
oath OF office was taken Mr.. Brown was
left OF the chamber and Mr.. Cannon i'm
mediately before him.
Mr.. Baker presented petition from Mrs.
Waller. wife OF the United States consul
In Madagascar, reciting her husbands ar
rest. his trial by drum-head court and his
transportation in chains to French
prison Mrs. walters petition recites that
France has held my husband. an Amer
lean citizen. as an imprisoned felon for
the past ten months, and believe and am
sure that had my husband been a subject
OF Great Britain he would have long since
been released As an American woman
Mrs. Waller asks the American Congress
to take suitable action.
Mr.. PETER offered a resolution calling on
the nterstate-commerce Commission for
inf Ion -
passenger and freight rates to and from
Missouri river points. The resolution went
over.
The Utah Senator's then drew lots. and
Nr. Cam on won the long term, expiring
March 9. 1899, and Mr.. Brown the term until
SECRETARY MORTON CRITICISED.
At o'clock Mr.. Hansbrough addressed
he Senate on the resolution instructing
The Secretary of Agriculture to execute the
law concerning the distribution of seeds
etc. He said: 1T Is an unpleasant dutv
to be obliged to criticise the acts of a Cab
lnet Minister. but in this case it seems to
me that there is great principle involved
The essence OF the controversy lies in the
proposition whether an executive officer of
The government has the right TO wilfully.
deliberately, designedly and. as in this case
premeditatedly ignore a solemn statute of
Congress believe IL can be shown that
the honorable Secretary of Agriculture has
disobeyed the mandate OF the legislative
branch OF the government. 1t is a part
OF his departmental functions TO carry into
effect any law appertaining to the affairs
OF his department which Congress sees fir
20 enact. The last Congress made an an
proprie tfon OF $4,000 10 be used in the pur-
chase and distribution of seeds. trees cut
tings. BULBS, ETC., as required by law. The
Secretary first showed his deliberate pur
pose TO evade this law when he asked the
Attorney-general for an Interpretation OF
the statute with reference to the purchase
or seeds There is nothing at all in the