The Portland daily press., 1896-04-15
in THE HOUSE.

: In the House today Mr.. Bingham, Re-
the conferees on legislative, executive
and judicial appropriations bill an agree
ment which had been made. leaving the
two Houses still apart on something
over 100 of the 314 amendments made by
the Senate. Mr.. Bingham explained the
grounds of difference, substantially as
stated by Senator Cullom in the Senate |
yesterday. The total amount involved |
in the differences was $3.50, 500. He |
stated to the House that the increases
made by the Senate, especially in the
matter of employees, were In the judge |!
ment of the House conferee, not warrant |
ed either by tine condition of business in
the country or condition Of the national
treasury. He had for several years seen
the House stand valiantly against the
policy of tho Senate in the matter of the
expenses of that body, and ne never saw
any other result than the retirement of
the House from the contest, leaving the
Senate in control
He said the bill as it passed the House
carried appropriations for salaries OF
employees amounting to An average
of $937 for every member of the House.
AS it passed the Senate the salaries for
Senate employees averaged $448S for every
member of that body. The Senate amend
ed the bill by making the clerks to
Senators, not chairmen Of committees,
annual instead of sessional, and increas-
ing their salaries from 500 per month to
$500 per year.
Mr.. Richardson, Democrat of Tennes-
see, questioned Mr.. Bingham to know
hot ha in IN 10
from the disagreement to that amend
ment
Mr.. Bingham could not say.
Mr.. Hartmann, Republican of Mon
tana, gave notice If he could do so, he
would move to instruct the House CON-
ferees to reoede from the disagreement
and agree to it with an amendment pro-
viding annual clerks to members of the
House.
Mr.. Bingham responded that that
would hardly be In order, under. the rules
Of the House.
Mr.. Cannon, Republican Of Illinios,
said that IN his opinion, If the House
wanted to pay clerks during vacations
they would order it done by one of two
methods, fundamentally proper, manly
and right, and not in violation OF the
rules of the House. It could not be done
by an amendment to the appropriation
bill. He expressed the opinion that the
expenditures of the House were too
small, as those Of the Senate were too
large and extrayagapt.
He believed that members Should have
clerks the entire year, but that service
ought to bo secured in a fair and man
ly way. The report of the conferees was
agreed to, and further conference on dis
puted points ordered.
The House went into committee Of the
whole, Mr.. Hopkins, Republican Of Illi-
MOS, in the chair, and considered the
general debate was opened by Mr. Hainer,
who reviewed the story of the appropri-
ations for coast defences and gave an
account of the conditions which rendered
them necessary.
Mr.. Bartlett, Democrat of New York,
advocated the passage OF the bill He
said the plan recommended for execution
500, 600, 600 1t would necessitate the pur-
chase Of 20S 12-inch steel guns, 100 10
inch guns and 90 6-ineh guns.
MIR. Livingston, Democrat of Georgia,
member of the committee on appropri-
ations, said that the bill was prepared In
accordance with the suggestions OF Gen.
Flagler.
ME-. Walsh, Democrat of New York,
| asked if Mr.. Livingston were aware that
As rapid firing guns had been sent by the
British military authorities of Kingston
| for defense of the lakes
Mr.. Liyingston-"It would not make
| any difference II there were 145. know
we could take Canada in three weeks
without regard to the number of guns or
plumber of men that could be assembled
within that time for her Defense" Cap
piause.)
Mr.. Baker, Republican of New Hamp-
shire, expressing his qualification that
the bill was 30 much better than those
of preceding Congresses, regretted that
the committee had not gone further and
risen to the full height of the opportuni-
ty presented. The only opposition to the
bill came from Mr.. Berry, Democrat of
Kentucky, who said that the expendi-
if it were put into construction Of the
best type of battleships and coast de-
fense vessels, which could be assembled
at any point threatened by foreign foe.
instead Of for fixed bait cries.
The bill was read, without amendment.
reported to the House and passed with
| out division.
The House then adjourned.