The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-02
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.

Washington, March 31.-Some prelim
mary routine business preceded the re-
sumption of the consideration of the sun
dry civil appropriation bill in the house
today. A resolution was adopted au-
thorizing the expenditure of $4,000 of
the unexpended balance of the appropri-
alton for the Cascades of the Columbia
river for the construction of protecting
walls necessary to the opening of the
canal to navigation. The house disa-
greed to the senate amendments to the
Legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill and agreed to confer
ence.
Messrs. Bingham Rep.) of Pennsyl-
vania, Mccall (Rep) of Tennessee, and
Dockery Dem.) of Missouri were ap-
pointed conferees. The consideration of
the sundry civil bill was then resumed.
During the consideration of the item,
| under the head of coast and geodetic sur
vey, Mr.. Cannon took occasion to sharp
ly criticise the administration for ''freeZ-
ing out Prof. Mendenhall, the prede--
cessOr of General Duffeld, the present
superintendent. He described Prof. Men
denhall as the most competent man who
had ever presided as superintendent and
Il man whose scientific attainments were
recognized all over the country. He re-
ferred to the present superintendent as
''new discovery" but said he did not
desire to reflect in any way on his COM
potency or ability.
Mr.. Adams Rep.) of Pennsylvania
took advantage of the latitude allowed
in debate on appropriation bills to arouse
the ire of the silver Democrats from
the West by bringing up the question of
the current reports about Washington
between several of the silver Republi-
cans and some Philadelphia manufac-
turers of that city last night. He refer
red to the false and misleading reports
in the papers of an alleged compact be-
tween the free silver Republicans and
the manufacturers by which he said it
was even proposed to yield the great doc
trine of protection. He called attention
to the fact that one of the Western States
(South Dakota) had only few days ago
rebuked her senator by declaring for
protection and sound money.
Last night, he said, the Manufacturers
club of Philadelphia had responded by
the passing of strong resolutions de-
nouncing and repudiating this alleged
compact He had the resolutions read
at the desk.
Mr. Hartman (Rep.) of Montana and
Mr.. Allen Rep) of Utah, both free sill
yer men. replied Indignantly to Mr.
Adams.
Mr.. Hartman Rep) of Montana said
he was glad of an opportunity to say on
Inp UOOT WIldI nave Dttl Sulu SNN
eral days ago. He agreed that the re-
ports printed broadcast by the press re-
garding the so-called Washington con
| ference had been false and misleading.
But the silver men were in no wise re-
sponsible for these false reports. The
plain truth was that some manufacturers
of Philadelphia had requested confer
ence Their invitation had been accept
ed and % manufacturers had come over
,1,I InI, nd n
sultation was held.
The report of that meeting had been
prepared by Senators Mantle, Carter, Du-
| bois and himself. 1t was absolutely
true. There was no suggestion OF any
agreement. In fact, it was distinctly
stated that no conclusions had been
reached.
pose of breaking down and villifying the
Republicans who had the hardihood to
stand up for silver, the gold press de-
nounced us. No more wilful falsehoOd
and SANDER was ever circulated in the
| public press. They coined lie and
attempted to force it down our throats.
Mr.. Allen supported what Mr.. Hart
man had said and declared that a cause
that had to be bolstered up by such
methods as the gold men pursued must be
inherently bad.
Mr.. Pickler Rep) of South Dakota, to
correct what he claimed was false re-
port sent through the country of the
attitude of the Republicans of South Da-
kota on the financial question, sent to the
clerks desk and had read the resolutions
of the convention of that State. which re-
affirmed the Minneapolis platform until
! the convention at st. Louis should adopt
another.
Does it not appear" interrupted Mr.
Hartman, Sin view of the fact that the
views and action of everybody who hap
pens to entertain similar views on the
financial question has been falsely report
ed by the gold press, that the press, while
opposing the free coinage of silver, is
unalterably in favor of the free coinage
of falsehood" Uaughter.)
Mr. Tate Dem) of Georgia precipitated
/ the old fight against internal revenue re-
formers by moving to strike out the ap-