Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-27
A LIVELY DEBATE
New Me1ico's Legislative Assembly
Session.
MR.. HILL CHARGES A POLITICAL TRICK
The House Refuses to Take Up
the Sundry Civil Bill.
PRIVATE BILLS CONSIDERED

The Rev. DIR. Milburn's prayer In the
Senate today made eloquent reference to
the death of Dennis Murphy. the veteran
chief Of sterographers of the Senate for
his exemplary service during long period.
Mr.. Murphy has teen one of the unique fig
urts of the Senate staff, his service includ-
ing the memorable debates Of the civil war.
A New Supreme Court Building.
Mr. Morrill, (VtD presented favorable
repor, on the bill proposing the purchase OF
square opposite the east front of the
Capitol adjacent to the new Congressional
Library for Supreme Court building.
Tie legislative appropriation bill was
then taken up. The pending question was
the motion of Mr. Sherman to strike out all
provisions relating to the change of COM
pensation from fees to salaries for United
States district attorneys and marshals.
Mr.. Villas offered a further amendment
proposing uniform salary of $4,000 20 dis
trict attorneys, except in the southern dis
tlict of New York, to be left at present.
and giving $4,000 for the large districts OF
Massachusetts, eastern Pennsylvania, east
ern Louisiana, northern Illinois and north
ern California.
Against Riders In General.
Mr. Allison spoke against the practice of
placing riders on appropriation bills, hut
he regarded this reform as exceptional and
desirable.
'The position of the Senator from Iowa.
CAllison). said Mr.. Hear, reminds me of
the Scotch lassie who said she had found
that the best way to get rid of temptation
was TO yield to it,"
AT the close of the discussion Mr.. Villas
amendment was defeated on a viva voce
vote. A roll call followed on Mr.. Sherman's
amendment ard it was detoatei-ls-::0.
This was accepted as test indicating the
adoption of the proposed change from the
fee 20 the salary system for district at
tofneys and marshals.
Mr.. Hills Charge.
At this point Mr. Hill created something
of sensation. He moved to strike out the
provision that the legislative assembly Of
New Mexico shall meet in May.
This is a small, mean. contemptihle po-
litical trick" exclaimed Mr.. Hill. with great
vlgor. 1T is provision sneaked into this
appropriation bill to force the approval Of
the President" The Senator went on to
explain that the present legislature, which
was democratic, would meet in December.
But it was attempted by this amendment
TO put off the meeting of the legisa lure un-
Ill May in hope that republican, President
might be inaugurated in the meantime. 1t
was a contemplate trick to sneak in
political advantage.
MIR. Elkfns' Question.
What right have you to say 'sneaked
imp" interrupted Mr.. Elkins W. Na).
What authority have you for such a state
ment?"
"Ah" responded Mr.. Hill, with unction.
Il thought I'd stir up the Senator from
New Mexico / see beside him the author
of this plan. who, on the minute, is here to
whisper in his ear in support Of it. What 1
meah by sneaked in,' proceeded Mr.. Hill,
'is> that it is unworthy that this political
trick should be tried in connection with a
great appropriation bill"
But the Senator has made a sci ious
charge" persisted Mr. Elkins. Let him
confine his explanation to his assertion OF
'sneaking in. What does he mean by
that?'
Il mean that such political plan has no
place here. 1t has crept in, sneaked in.
viii the Senator deny that this is polit-
iCal amendment"
Mr.. Elkins responded that the House Of
Representatives in the exercise of it's
rights had introduced this proposed
change.
Mr.. Hill reiterated that the amendment
had .'crawled in OF course the Senator
from West Virginia would deny IT. When
he denied that this was political trick
he showed his capacity for emergencies.
Some Senator in the rear of Mr.. IItll
whispered that Mr.. Elkins had not made
denial
Then if he has not denied it he will
uelS H. Contlnued Mr. tt1li, FOR he does
not want to father this petty little polit-
fcal plan" The Senator went on TO assert
that appropriation bills should not he made
sewers to receive all the scraps every
ore might seek TO put into them.
Others Participate in the Debate.
Mr.. Cullom 0ll), in charge of the bill,
said he was surprised at this outburst Of
excitement from the New York Senator,
who, Mr.. Cullom fes.red, would have q
snasm before he got through"
"Oh. no." interjected Mr.. Hill; II was
never cooler In my life"
Mr.. Cullom explained that the amend-
ment came from the House i'm the regular
way. He expressed the hope that there
should be no personal reflection on the DEL
egate from New Mexico, to whom MIR Hill
had referred as sitting beside Mr.. Elkins
Mr.. Carter tMont.) followed in the de-
tense of the amendment. He referred to
irregularities in the New Mexico assembly
where many men were placed on the rolls
without credentials.
Mr.. Carter ccmplimented the work of the
delegate from New Mexico and declared
that the delegate was sent, rot to the
House OF Representatives, but to''Congress Z"
and as such he had q right to appear in
the Senate.
Moved to Strike Out the Amendment.
Mr.. Hill answered that he did not COM
plain Of the presence Of the New Mexico
delegate (Mr. Catron), who sat alongside
Mr.. Carter, but he did object to having
that delegate attempt to secure this politi-
cal amendment MIR. Hill moved to strike
out the New Mexico provision, and he ap-
pealed to republican Senators to make the
striking out unanimous, as the amendment
was clearly political
Mr.. Daniel tVa.) spoke against the amend
ment.