The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-08
Appropriations to Be Wrested
From Their Control.
BY TIE STRONG, BREEZY WEST
Resolution of Senator Dubois EAcites
Alarm Among the Chosen Few
So Long Favored.


for the reference of appropriations to
the committees whose departments are
affected thereby. thereby taking enor-
nous power and influence from the APP
preparation committee of the senate,
the resolution having been introduced
by Senator Dubois of Idaho, has created
great excitement among the old-timers
in the senate. The division of appro-
priations among the various commit
tees of the senate means tremendously
added power to the west. On the pre-
liminary vote Senator Dubois has two
to one, and his resolution will pass by a
sure majority.
Nothing has so stirred the senate for
years or has so broken the power of the
old senators who have absolutely DOM
mated affairs. 1t is everywhere regard
ed as a great victory for the younger
senators, especially the west.
The senate devoted half an hour to
clearing away routine business. Then
Senator Morrill,, chairman of the finance
committee. secured recognition to re-
port back the tariff bill. He read in
somewhat tremulous voice the original
title, then the new title, as reported,
IAN act to provide for the free coinage
of silver" etc Senator Morrill, smiled
as he added: II am disposed in present
ing this to add the conclusion of the
official proceedings in Massachusetts,
And may God save the commonwealth
was not in favor of the action taken by
the committee on finance, but now as
the bill is here will endeavor to call it
up tomorrow" There was a general
laugh at Senator Morrill's reference to
the Massachusetts proceedings
Senator Quay moved to recommit the
bill and substitute back to the finance
committee with instructions to report
the original bill and amendment sepa-
rately. Senator Quay made the motion
with evident feeling, swapping out each
word with emphasis.
Senator Hill called attention to the
fact that the motion was irregular dur
ing the morning hour and the presiding
officer sustained the point.
Then" said Senator Quay, It ask
unanimous consent that this bill be re-
ferred back with Instructions"
Il object, at this time" interposed
Senator Hill.
Senator Quay's proposition was dis
posed of for the time being.
Among the bills favorably reported
was that granting a pension of 5000 a
month to the widow of the late General
Walter Q. Gresham and 500 a month
to the widow Of the late General Ewing.
Senator Allison reported the pension
appropria ton bill and said he would
ask the senate to take it up at an early
day.
There was another lull in the routine
at l o'clock, and Senator Gray sought
to secure consideration for a resolution
recommitting the tariff finance bill.
with instructions to report the original
bill and the amendment as separate
Propositions.
Senator Hill objected and the resolu-
ton went over.
Senator Hale asked to take up the ur-
gent deficiency bill, but a vote was ia
ken and it was defeated, % to A.
The senate then agreed to take up the
Dubois resolution for an amendment of
the senate rules so as to distribute the
appropriation bills among the commit
tees.
Points of order, motions for an execu-
tive session and other tactics to carry
over the question were made, but with
out effect.
Senator Allison expressed surprise at
the departure made by the senate from
a long established custom. Senator AL
lison defended the appropriation com
mittee from the charges of carelessness
and indifference made some time ago
by Senator Dubois.
Senator Aldrich made point of order
against the resolution on the ground
that the notice of it's consideration re-
CURED by the rules had not been given.
This involved the senate in a two hours
discussion of its rules. during which the
resolution was lost sight of.
The presiding officer finally ruled
against the points of order that had
been raised, holding that Senator Du-
bois' resolution was properly before the
senate under the rules.
Senator Sherman gave an interesting
outline of the practice of handling ap-
preparation bills. He thought the change
proposed was too sweeping and radical.
Senator Blanchard declared that the
change was designed to overcome the
"monopolistic domination" of the com
mittee on appropriations.
Senator Hale opposed the change.
it as revolutionary.
The debate on the resolution was not
when at $50 D. m. the senate |
went into executive session, and in five |
minutes adjourned.
EXCITING PASSAGES IN THE HOUSE |