Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-07

a Eccon1 70 inc n'otioh no S"hSso'ios, 10
ordered
have no objection to considering Sc
cond. a. ORDERED. bat do object TO dis
penslng with the reading OF bin which
n,ovfacs for the expenditure OF s62.ooo,-
oo0
the Speaker: IL any gentleman de-
sires. the bill must be read. Has the
gentleman from New York any PROPOSE
uon 10 make respecting debate?
Mir. Hooker: Yes. s.r;f ask that de-
hate be extended until O'clock.
Objection to this was made by Mr..
Gibson (Republican). OF Tennessee, end
Mr.. Hooker remarked; "Then, Mr..
Speaker. debate can proceed only under
the rules (Which provides for half an
hours debate).
In reply 10 question by a member.
Mr.. Hooker stated that the bill had
been modified In some particulars since
II had been reported. some changes
having been ordered by the committee
this morning (which. he said, he would
explain as the reading OF the bin pro-
crossed.
The reading OF the bill occupied an hour
and half. and at the close OF the read
ing p:s0 o'clooD Mr.. Hooker renewed
extended, this time until O'clock
Mr.. Hepburn Republican,. Of Iowa,
said that upon a bill Of this magnitude,
authorizing the expenditure OF nearly
So. 100000 there should be more than this
limited period OF debate. The Speaker
pro tem-Mr. Payne Republican), or
New York-suggested that the time be
extended until 3 o'clock. which was ac-
ceptable to Messrs. Hooker and Hep
burn. But Mr.. Mcguire DemocraU, OF
california. being informed that the bill
would not then be open for amendment,
objected. and the debate was opened I'M
der the rules twenty minutes on each
side. Later, Mr. Mcguire offered TO
withdraw his objection. but Mr.. Gros-
yenor Republican. Of Ohio, made the
point that It was too late. Being over
ruled. Mr.. Grosyenor renewed the OBJ
lection.
The formal forty minutes debate then
began, and at It's conclusion the river
and harbor bill was passed. under sus-
pension OF the rules, by vote Of rs
to 40
Mr.. Hooker, chairman OF the commit
tee. managed the measure so as to Sc
cure practically unanimous support of It,
the opposition falling TO muster enough
strength TO obtain a vote by nays and
yeas.
This Is said to be the first time In the
history of river and harbor bills that
one has gone through the House with
so little opposition. Mr. Hepburn Gre
publican) OF Iowa. and Mr.. Dockery
DemocraD, of Missouri, were the chief
antagonists; and Messrs. Wheeler. OF
Alabama: Washington. Of Tennessee;
Catchlngs. OF Mississippi; Burton Gre
publican), of Ohio; and Hooker (Re-
publican), OF New York, were the
principal advocates Of the measure. Mr.
Catchings said II was better bill, more
scientifically constructed. and would re-
dound more to the benefit Of the whole
country than any similar bill that had
been presented 10 the House since he
had been in Congress.
The House. at 40, adjourned until
tomorrow.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The proposition in the post-offlce ap-
preparation bill affecting the consolida-
ton of small post-ofiices near the large
towns and cities led to long debate In
sthe Senate to-day. in which there was
an exhibition Of much political and per-
sonal feeling. While the present admin
istration Of the Post-Office Department
received commentator from Republi-
can senator (dr. Wolcott. Of Colorado),
n received severe criticism from a Demo
cratic senator (Mr. German, of Mary
lanD. and President Cleveland came in
for large measure of abuse from
Popullst senator (Mr Allen, Of Nebraska.
According TO Mr.. Wolcott, the affairs OF
the Post-Oflice Department are being
ably and intelligently conducted" Mr..
German ironically congra tulated the
Post-Ofice Department that II had
Republican senator for defender. and he
suggested, with biting sarcasm, that
many acts Of the administration could
best be defended by some Republicans.
He condemned Postmaster-General Will
son for going about the country deliver
ing lectures on the tariff and on gold
and silver instead of attending TO the
duties OF his office. and quoted the homely
proverb that when a man is found pro-
claiming his own virtue and honesty
there Is rascal near at hand. Mr..
Allen was even less reserved In the ex-
preston of his views. The greatest
Mugwump in the country, he said, was
installed in the White House: although
he thought II was difficult to tell whether
Mr. Cleveland was more of q MugWump
than he was an imperial Democrat. de
added that Mr. Cleveland was disgrace
TO the great office he occupied, and that
he thought he ought not to be. and
doubtless he would not be, returned TO
that position again.
The session closed without vote
having been reached; but 1t was agreed
that a vote would be taken at o'clock
tomorrow on the bill and all pending
amendments.
A message announcing the action OF the
House on the Cuban resolutions was re-
ceived; but no further action on the
part Of the Senate was necessary.
The Senate. at 500 Il. NJ, adjourned
until tn-n,orrou