The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-02-13

his own purposes, by making excessive
seed distribution in his own State, Ne
braska.
at is enough" declared the senator.
"to make the star-eyed goddess of reform
hang her head and blush for shame"
Mr. Vest offered substitute resolution
directing the secretary of agriculture to
purchase and distribute seeds as in previ-
Gus years and to secure them by open
purchase or contract.
Mr.. Bate Dem.) of Tennessee said it
was not fair or just that the secretary of
agriculture should be accused in this
manner without his view of the matter
being understood He said the speech
was inaammatory, dealing with abuse
and sarcasm, when, in his opinion, the
secretary had acted with wisdom and
discretion.
The senator said he had looked into the
charge of the senator from Missouri (Mr.
VesO that orchids, lilies of the valley
and palms were sent to the receptions by
the president and cabinet officers and
found that not a sprig or a green, or a
rose, had ever been sent by the secre-
tary of agriculture to the White House
or to the home of any cabinet officer.
Mr.. Vest explained that he had intend
ed to show that the secretary, in start
ing out as a reformer, had failed to re-
form this prOhigate expenditure, but it
was not intended to say that the secretary
had direct control of the subject.
SO, declared Mr.. Bate, the sarcasm and
invectives of the orchids and lilies of the
valley and the dog fennel and the light
of the chandeliers on the red wine were
mere poetry and vanished into the air.
Mr.. Bate went on to declare his fideli-
ty to the agricultural interest, but he OPP
posed the appropriation of 100000 for
seeds this year, because it would be too
late to plant them, and therefore they
might as well be thrown into the sea.
Mr.. Gray Dem) of Delaware stated
that the secretary of agriculture had act
ed in accordance with the attorney gener-
ais idea of the law, which was correct
The fault, therefore, was with congress.
At 2:35 p. IN. the senate went into eX-
ecutive session.
After the executive session Mr.. Mills
Dem.) of Texas announced the death of
Representative Grain. and appropriate
resolutions submitted by him were
adopted. The vice president named
Messrs. Mills, Gallinger and Kyle as a
committee to represent the senate at the
obsequies.
AT 3 o'clock, as further mark of re-
spect to deceased, the senate adjourned
until tomorrow.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, Feb. 1O.-The desk of Mr..
w. ii. Grain of Texas, who died early
this morning, was draped heavily with
black when the house reconvened at
1890 after recess over Sunday. On
the desk lay beautiful bunch of white
hyacinths, lilies of the valley and roses. |
sMr. Grain was serving his sixth term
in the house and his death came as a |
shock to his colleagues, many of whom |
did not know he was ILL.
The debate on the bond bill proceeded |
until noon, when the legislative day of |
Saturday expired. The house imme-
diately reconvened.
The blind chaplain referred to Mr..
Grains death in these words:
1--WE hear with profound sorrow of the
death of one member of this house. Our
hearts, our sympathy go out to those
who mourn his loss and we pray Thee
that Thou wilt comfort them as Thou
alone can do. Help us all to be ready
when the summons may come to us, i'll
Christ's name. Amen"
Mr.. Dingley Rep.) of Maine endeav-
ored to reach n new arrangement about
the bond bill debate. He asked that
tomorrow be given to the District of
Columbia committee; Wednesday to the
continuation of the bond bill debate, and
that on Thursday the debate proceed
under the fve-minute rule until o'clock,