Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-21
N THE seIIll1E.
M Forilncaiiens Bill b Passed Aftss
Lively Discussion.

Ot8SS~~~~'--
Washington, May 20.-In the senate,
a bill introduced by Allen, was referred
to the judiciary committee. denning the
Jurisdiction of the supreme court IN the
determination of constitutional ques-
lions. 1t provides that no law OF Con
gress shall be held or adjudged to be
unconstitutional except where all the
justices concur in the opinion TO that
effect.
The Senate bill passed. March 2, and
to which a motion to reconsider was
pending for the enlistment OF addi-
ttonal men In the navy. was taken up;
the potion to reconsider the votes on
its passage agreed to. and the bill was
placed on the calendar. German ex-
planned that the enlistment feature Of
the bill was provided for In the naval
appropriation bill, but that there were
other important provisions in 1t which
he wished to discuss.
Frye presented the conference report
on the river and harbor bill. He said
the conferees had agreed upon all items
in the hill except three items as to the
harbors Of San Pedro, Santa Monica
and Wilmington, in southern Cali
fornia. The report went over till to-
morrow.
| The Notifications appropriation bill
was taken up, Butler first giving notice
that after it was disposed of. he would
move to take up his bill to prevent the
| further issue of bonds without the con.
sent of Congress; Hill giving similar
notice regarding his contempt of court
bill. and Sherman a like notice regard
ing the filed cheese bill
| All the committee amendments to the
bill having been agreed to. German
offered an amendment authorizing the
secretary of the treasury. with the APP
prevail of the President in order to pro-
vide money necessary for the execution
of this and other appropriation bills. to
| issue per cent. certificates of indebted
| ness to the amount of $100, 900, 600, re-
ldeemable at the pleasure of the United
States after three years. German said
the senator's knew there would be a
shortage in the treasury before Janu-
larry.
Mills made point of order on the
amendment. He contended that the
only legitimate measure for supplying
revenue was taxation. The presiding
lofiicer, Chandler, overruied the point of
order on the ground that the amend
ment was to provide money to pay for
appropriations made in the bin. Mills
appealed from the ruling.
| sherman said he doubted whether
such a proposition had ever before
been made in the history of the United
States to meet current expenses in a
| time of profound peace. The govern
ment was amply able to meet it's cur
| rent expenses by taxation. The rev.
enuc bill passed by the House at this
session would have brought into the
treasury $4,000. 900 or $50, 900. 900 addi-
| tional. That bill was still pending in
the Senate. There was no difficulty in
the Senate taking 1t up. and withdraw
ing the free silver amendment.
II that bill was not sufficient, he
would add to it tax on tea and coffee
or anything else. That could be done
| in two or three days, so before the first
| of July. when the appropriation bills
would go into effect, there would be no
danger of 81 deficiency If that was not
done. he had faith that the President
| would not permit the expenditure Of
large appropriations. Mr.. Germans
proposition would be a confession of
bankruptcy. He would tear up all the
appropriation bills rather than issue
| $l0D. 600, 900 certificates of Indebtedness.
| German said Sherman and his friends
knew the bin which would increase the
Mckinley rates could never receive the
| support of the Democrats. If that SEN
ator was i'll earnest in the desire to re-
lieve the treasury, it could be done in
this way: Pass the bill in relation to
the tax on alcohol used in the arts,
which would place $4,000 600 year in
the treasury. and then put tax on
tea and coffee. which would produce
$40. 600 GEO or $4,000 900 year.
| Stewart suggested a modification Of
the amendment to issue 800 .000, 600 of
grecnbacks now impoundcd in the
treasury. He declared the United
States was on the road to bankruptcy.
Mills withdrew his appeal from the
ruling of the Chair. and moved to lay
Gorsnan's amendment on the table.
The motion was agreed to: Yeas. az;
mays. o PETER offered an amendment
directing that the appropriations pro
vided for in the bill! be paid in treasury
notes. Rejected: Yeas. II; nays. as.
| Lodge offered an amendment for the
test and examination of the Halpin
comfortable torpedo by the board OF
ordnance and Notifications. Rejected.
after discussion: "a to q.
The bin passed without division,
| A number of other bills were passed,
Including: Amending the pension laws
so that Confederate soldiers who en-
tered the Union army before Septem-
Der. 1854 and served 90 days. may re-
ceivc pensions; relating to copyrights
in dramatic or musical compositions.
The Senate then adjourned.
Congressional Notes.