The record-union., 1896-05-21
Last But One Of the Appropriation Bills
Passed in the Senate.
Provides for Fortifcations and Other
Works of Defense.
The House Disposes of the Immigra-
ton Question by Passing the
rIcCall Educational Test Bill, Io-
pether With the COrIiSS Bill In=
tended to Protect the Lake Cities
From Canadian Competition.

tenQed TO protect the Ldke SitiSo
From Canadian Competition.
WASHINGTON, May 20.-The last
but one of the general appropriation
bills-the one which provides for for
tifications and other works of de-
fense-occupied the attention of the
Senate to-day, and was passed before
adjournment 1t carries nearly Sll,-
100000, about S5,000,000 more than it
carried when it passed the House. The
principal item of increase is one or 3D.
115,000 for guns and mortar batteries.
There was little or no controversy
over any of the provisions contained in
the bill, but a rather important discus
sion was precipitated by an amend
ment offered by German of Maryland.
This proposes to authorize the issue
of S100,000,000 of treasury certificates
of indebtedness, bearing 3 per cent. in
terest, in order to meet the eXpendl-
tures called for by the appropriation
bills of the present session, the aggre-
gate of which German put at $780,
U00,000.
Earlier in the day a conference report
sented by Frye of Maine, and an ef-
fort was made by him to get immediate
action on it. That was resisted, how
ever, by Bacon of Georgia, who had
learned that the appropriation for the
harbor at Brunswick, Ga, had been
struck out in conference, and who
wanted time to argue the matter before
the Senate. And so Frye rather reluc-
family consented to have the report go
over until tomorrow.
The only question that was not set
tied in conference is the one relating to
the deep-sea harbor in Southern Cali
fornia- In the preliminary discussion
there was some sharp criticism at the
disposition of the Senators to adjourn
Congress without attending to the
srave and important questions requlr-
ing action.
A bill was introduced by Allen (Pop)
of Nebraska, and was referred to the
Judiciary Committee, defining the ju-
risdiction of the Supreme Court in de-
1ermining constitutional questiodiss is
provides that no law of Congress shall
be held or adjudged to be unconstitu-
tional except where all the Justices
concur in the opinion to that effect.
The Senate bill passed on the ID of
March last, and to which a motion to
reconsider was pending, for the enlist
ment of additional men in the navy, was
taken up. The motion to reconsider the
vote on its passage was agreed to, and
the bill was placed on the calendar.
Frye (Rep) of Maine presented the
conference report on the river and har-
Dor bill, and asked immediate action
upon it. He said the conferrees had
agreed upon all the items in the bill ex-
cept the three items as to the harbors
OF San Pedro, Santa Monica and VIII
mington in Southern California.
Bacon Dem.) of Georgia opposed the
immediate consideration of the report
as he desired to address the Senate on
the subject and had not the necessary
data to do so to-day.
The conference report on the river and
harbor bin went over until tomorrow
and the Notifications appropriation bill
was taken up, Butler (Pop) of North
Carolina first giving notice that after
it was disposed of he would move tc
take up his bill to prevent further issue
OF bonds without the consent OF Con
gress: Hill Dem.) of New York giving
similar notice regarding his contempt
OF court bill, and Sherman (Rep) OF
Ohio a like notice regarding the filleo
cheese bill.
The Notifications appropriation bill
as it passed the House appropriated 3d.
S45. .S31; as reported from the Senate
Committee it is so, 163.SSS
All the committee amendments to the
bill having been agreed to, Gormar
(Dem.) of Maryland offered an amend
ment to come in as an additional sec
ton authorizing the Secretary OF the
Treasury, with the approval OF the
President, in order to provide money
necessary for the execution of this anC
other appropriation bills, to issue three
per cent. certificates of indebtedness t
the amount of $10o,000,000 redeemabl'
at the pleasure of the United State:
after three years.
Mills Dern.) of Texas made the poin
of order that the only legitimate meas
ure for supplying revenue was taxation
The point of order was overruled ant
Mills appealed from the ruling.
sherman (Rep.) of Ohio said that HI
doubted whether such a proposition hae
ever been made in the history OF tn
United States TO meet expenses in times
of peace. The Government was ampi,
able to meet it's current expenses b,
taxation. The House Of Representa-
tives had early in the present session
passed a bill which, although ne dld no
approve many of its details or its gen
eral principles. would have supplied al
the deficiencies accruing from day t
day He was willing TO have that bil
taken up, and if it was not sufficient n
would add to it tax on tea and coffee
or anything else. That could be don
in two or three days, 50 that before Tn
first of July, when the appropriato'
bills would go into effect, there woui'
be no danger of a deficiency. The issu
of certificates of Indebtedness would b
an admission of inability TO pay the cur
rent expenses of the Government
A long discussion ensued on the rel
ative merits OF the Mckinley ACT ant
the existing Tariff Act, German assert
ing that under the latter suiilcien
revenue would have been received ha'
il not been for the extraordinary de
cision OF the Supreme Court in the In
come tax. The House bill which IN
Senator from Ohio referred 10, sal
German, had never been intended t
become law. It's authors. sponsor
and supporters knew it never woui
become a law, and even IL 1t did