Evening journal., 1896-02-04
THE LOWER HOUSE.
Spirited Discussion over Amendments

Spirited Discussion over Amendments Co
District of columiia Appropriation.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Almost the on
tire session OF the house was spent in COM
mlttce of the whole iu The discussion Of
scrics Of amendments TO strike from the
District OF Columbia appropriation bin
eight appropriations aggregating s84, 600
for the maintenance of destitute women
and children IN various private and Soc
tartan charitable institutions In the dis
trict.
lt was tho anr unced purpose OF Mr..
Hainor (Rep. of Nebraska, who led the
fight. 20 place the appropriations in the
hands OF a board OF childrens guardians
created several years ago
The amendment was fought by Mr..
Cannon, chairman Of the appropriations
committee, and others, who claimed that
It's adoption would result in great injury
20 the charitable work among destitute
children dono by these institutions and
turn many of them out Of doors.
Mr. Grout Rep1 Of Vermont, who said
that his state was the first TO declare
against slavery and in favor Of the com.
plote divorce of church from state, argued
strongly against appropriating any money
for scctnrinn institutions.
After the debate had run ON for over two
hours Mr.. Robertson dem. of Louisiana
openly charged that the war on these ap-
prOpriations for charitable institutions
had boen procipitated by the A. p. A. He
opposed tho amendment on tho ground
that appropriations were not for the bene-
fit OF sectarian institutions but for charity
through their agency.
Mossrs. Morse (Rep.) of Massachusetts
and Bowers (Rop) of California favored
tho amendment while Mossrs. Wheeler
(Dom.) Of Alabama, BARTLETT (DemD OF
New York and Washington Dem.) OF
Tennessee opposed IT,
Tho appropriation for the first OF tho in.
stitutions complained Of wasadopted-l2o
10 33.
When the net appropriation was reached
Tor the German Orphan asyluml, tho sec.
tartan character of the institution was
challenged, and Mr.. Willis (Rep.) Of Della.
ware made q stirring appeal 20 the house.
With all the lingering prejudice against
state aid 10 sectarinn institutions hu urred
the house To defer the work of uprootina
these charities until something better was
put In their place.
Mr. Haincr claimed that the purpos,
OF his amendments was not TO deprive the
children of tho means of support. but e
vote the money intended for these institu
tions 10 the board Of ohildrons guardians
in order that public control might follow
the appropriation of public money.
Mr. Talbot (Dem.) Of South Caroline
opposed the appropriations on the grount
that they constituted an appropriation o
public money for private purposes. Mr.
Milncr (Rep) OF Michigan took a simila
position. The appropriation for the Ger
man Orphan home was stricken out.
Tho next appropriation, for the Nationa
| Association for the Relief Of Destitute
| Colorod Women and Children, brough
several protests from members who hal
| supported the previous amendments. Mr.
| pitncy (Rop) of New Jersey explninel
| that this institution had been chnrtore
by an act of congress- signed by Presden
Lincoln and was entirely dependent on Oh
| government for support. If that supper
wns Withdrawn, said he, it must close
| Referring 60 the Hainer amendments, h
! said cmphatically, "I am opposed TO sue
tomfoolow
Mr. Grout also declared that the n
must be staid hero and appealed TO th
house not 60 follow Mr. Haincr IN strih
ing out the appropriation.
Mr.. Crane CDcm.) Of Texas, IA opposin
Mr. Hainers series OF amendments, cal
ed attention TO the strange spectacle pr
sontcd by southern representatives adv'
eating an appropriation Of $4,000 for de-
tituto colored women whilo gontlome
from the north were opposing that npprC
priation, and soino of them seemed onl
ready TO yield when the paucity of prlvat
charity was plcnded.
without reaching q vote the house at
journed.
The senate was not In session.