The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-14

Missouri, gave notice of a minority re-
port on the filled cheese bill by him
self and Senators Walthall Of Missis-
sippi, Harris of Tennessee, Jones of
Arkansas and White of California.
GUARDIANS NEEDED.
The bill was passed for the appoint
ment Of guardians for pensioners in the
District of Columbia found to be
"squandering pension money by drink
ing or vicious habits"
Proceeding with the river and har-
Dor bill, Mr.. Vest opposed the German
amendment, declaring that it would
permit the secretary of war to nullify
the river and harbor bill and to SUBJ
stitute his opinion in lieu of that of
congress. He did not believe there
would be any partisan in the chamber
who would give such autocratic powers
to cabinet officer. He had never
known a secretary of war to whom he
would extend such vast powers. While
he was a Democrat and knew the ex-
penditures would be made by Demo-
cratic officials up to March 3, yet that
was not a factor to consider as he op-
posed any such abdication of power
by congress and its transfer to one
official.
Mr.. German insisted that there was
no
ABDICATION OF POWER,
but merely limitation of the power
Of the secretary of war so that not
more than ten. millions would be spent
annually. 1t was a necessary pro-
vision, said Mr.. German, in view of the
fact that this is the first time in the
history of the government that we
have gone into the wholesale business
of authorizing contracts
II he were secretary of war, said Mr..
German. he would apply the rule sug-
gested by Mr.. Sherman of not obligat-
ing the government for one dollar of
these contracts until congress made
provision for the revenues to meet
them. This amendment was
MERELY A CAUTION
to our executive officer that in view of
our condition he must not spend more
than ten millions year. The senator
expressed his appreciation of the river
and harbor bill--the most important of
the appropriation biAs-but this
amendment would permit ample ex-
penditures with proper limitations.
In reply to a suggestion of Mr..
White Dem., CALI that the secretary
of war had already shown disposition
to restrict river and harbor work. Mr..
German took occasion to express his
nigh personal regard for the present
secretary Of war, but the senator felt
that he could not conscientiously give
his vote to measure that would 'sput
1t In the power of one man to spend
money that the government does not
possess
The debate took wide range under |
the five-minute rule, which had been
agreed on
The amendment by Mr. Gray was ac- |
cepted making the ten million restric |
ton apply specifically to contracts and t
not to direct appropriations.
Mr.. Allison proposed an amendment |
fixing the limitation on contract ex- I
penditures at $12,000000 annually.
IS TABLED.
Mr.. Vest moved to table the German
and all amendment, which |
motion prevailed; yeas 40; nays, 90, as
follows:
Yeas-Republicans = Aldrich, Baker
Burrows, Cameron, Cullom, Dubois,
EIkins, Frye, Gallinger, Lodge, Nc
Bride, Mantle, Mitchell (Ore.), Nelson.
Perkins, Pettigrew, Platt, Quay, Sew
ell, Sherman, Shoup, Squire, Thurston.
Wetmore, Wilson'S. Democrats-Ba-
con, Berry, Blackburn, Caffery, George
Jones (Ark.), Mills, Pasco, Pugh, Vest.
and White-12 Populists-
Bu -ier, Jones (Nev.) and Stewart-3
Total, 40.
Nays-Republican Allison, Brown.
Chandler, Gear, Hawley, Proctor-6.
Democrats = Bate, Brice, Cockrell,
Faulkner, German, Gray Harris Hill