The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-19
DAY IN Halls OF CONGRESS
The Senate Continues in Its ArduOus
Task Of Doing Nothina.
MORGAN SCORED IN HOUSE
Debate Upon the Question OF Seed Dis.
tributiOn brings Down Another
voiicy ucon tho Head of the
Secretary Of Agriculture.

Washington, Feb. 1S.-The fact that
| the house when it rejected the senate
| free currency amendments to the Dond
bill did not accompany its message 10
that effect with a request for confer
| ence was brought up in the senate TO-
day by MIR Allen (Pop., Neb.l and he
suggested to the finance committee.
whether the occasion was not good
! one to bring about an agreement on
the subject between the two houses.
He was informed by the chairman OF
the finance committee, Mr.. Morrill,
rep, VtD that the committee was
waiting for some action on the part OF
the house: and he was reminded by
Mr.. Chandler. in u facetious way, that
he tAir. Allem could move that the
senate recede from its amendment. Mr..
Allen also had something more to say
about the failure OF the Pacific Rail-
road company, which Is now having
hearings as to the adjustment of the
debt of the Pacific railroad to the gov
ernment not having specially request
ed the officers of the Farmers Alliance
in Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado.
and the owners of stock yards in Oma-
ha, to appear and present their Views.
The chairman of the committee tMr.
Gear. X. ID said that general notice had
been given throughout the press asso-
Citations and added that the committee
had no official knowledge of such or
ganiZation. The resolution offered some
time ago by Mr.. Pefrer Pop., kanD
for a special committee to inquire into
the circumstances of the recent bond
issue was taken up and discussed until
the close of the morning hour, when un-
der the rules II went on the calendar.
The military academy bill was then
taken IN and passed-the amendment
offered yesterday by Mr.. Villas (Dcm..
Wis., for two additional cadets at
large from each state having been de-
feated by three majority.
The pension appropriation was then
taken up and passed.
House Proceedings.
The house today after three days
consideration of the agricultural ap-
prOpriation bill. finally disposes of 1t.
The feature of the debate today was the
attack by Mr.. Cousins Rep., Ia) upon
the methods of the secretary of agri-
culture in connection with his refusal
to carry out the law for the purchase
and distribution of seeds, as provided
for I'm the appropriation acts Of 1894 and
1895. He said the corrupted and subOrdi-
mated commission appointed by the sec
retary had long In advance of the time
fixed by the secretary for them to eX-
anime and report upon the bids for sup
plying seeds to the department in
formed inquirers that there would he
no distribution of seed. showing u pre-
determination on his part to nullify the
law. The government Mr. Cousins
said, was no longer a government for
the people and by the people but u
government by j. Pierpont Morgan and
j. Sterling Morton.
Amendments incorporated in the hill
make il mandatory upon the secretary
to purchase and distribute seed, as has
been the custom prior to the suspension
of the practice last year. without refer
ence to the requirements of the statute
that they shall be rare and uncom-
mon," as that phrase was constructed
by Secretary Morton. The appropria-
ton for seed was increased from $780,
900 to $150O00, and the seed division
abolished by Secretary Morton last
year was rehabilitated with a full
quota Of clerks to enable the secretary
to execute the law.
Mr.. Johnson (Rep., Ind) gave notice
that on Tuesday next, Feb. %. he would
ask the house to dispose of the Van
Horn-Tarsney contested election case
from the Fifth Missouri district.
To Determine Coin Exchange.
Among the miscellaneous business
transacted, the house passed q resOlu-
ton introduced by Mr.. Newlands (Sil-
YER, Col) directing the committee on
ways and means to inquire into the eff
feet of the difference of exchange be-
tween countries having the gold and
silver standards of value upon Ameri-
can industries and to report by bill or
otherwise
The Indian appropriation bill was re-
ported by Mr.. Sherman (Rep, n. "
and Mr. Cannon (Rep.. I'D was given
IN fila tho lppislo five aSapntiN-p
and judicial appropriation bill with the
OLE rl-