The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-06-04

WASHINGTON, June 3.-The senate
today passed the river and harbor bill
over the presidents veto by a vote of
IS to 5. This was the last step in max
ing the bill effective and it is now a
law. The vote was taken after three
hours of spirited debate. during which
the president was criticised and de-
Tended, the remarks at times being di-
rectly and bitterly personal. The OPP
position to the veto was expressed by
Senators Vest, Sherman, Pettigrew,
Hawley and Butler. while the veto was
defended by Senators Villas, Hill and
Bate. When a partial conference re-
port was presented on the naval ap-
preparation bill, Mr.. Quay moved that
the senate recede from its amendment
reducing the number of battleships
from four to two. This brought on an
extended debate. In its course Mr..
Tillman spoke in his usual way on
''aTmor robberies." He referred to the
grip by the throat which the arnlor
concerns had on congress. and, look
ing around the senate, asked if there
were attorneys, or lobby here, or
senators interested in seeing these
contracts given out. A final vote on
the item of battleships will be taken
at o'clock tomorrow.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
The contest for the right of way
arose as soon as the senate was opened
! today
| Mr. Vest (Mo) who, in the absence
/ Of Frye is in charge of the river and
| frarbor bill. sought to have the presi-
| dents veto taken up.
This was opposed by Pettigrew Is.
ID in charge of the Indian appropria-
ton bill conference report. Mr.. Vest
urged that the suspension and possible
| destruction of the improvement of the
| international water ways was of more
moment than any other subject save
| that of national honor. 1t was i'm
Derative that the question be settled
now, so that if the veto was sustained
| it could be determined whether any
| other river and harbor bill was to be
/ affirmed. The veto was ordered taken
up. Yeas 3S. nays TO- The negative
vote was-Democrats: Bate. Chiffon,
Harris, Palmer, Villas; Republicans:
Brown, Morrill,, Pettigrew, Pritchard,
| Teller.
Mr.. Vest said the veto contained
! statements which, however much he
might respect the high Office of the
president, ought not to so unchalleng-
ed. The senator did not question the
presidents veto Drerogative, but said
the trainers of the constitution never
intended that this power should be
used in the ordinary affairs of the gov
eminent. 1t was to be a power to meet
EXTRAORDINARY EMERGENCIES
when popular passion led to fasty
legislation, or when a constitutional
question was involved. Early presi-
dents, who stood nearest the constitu-
seven times; twice by Washington,
five times by Madison, and never by
Jefferson or John Adams.
Mr.. Vest then analysed the state
ments of the veto regarding extravag-
ance. The president had he said
stated that the bill made direct ap-
| preparations of s14,0O0.000 while in
fact they aggregated $12,6OS, 800, a diff
ference of 1881 100. Mr.. Vest took up
ether items, showing that the totals
were less than the presidents state
ments would Indicate The senator
said, as to the charge of extravaganza,
that in considering the vast interests
involved, this measure was reasonable
There were items open to question, yet
as in all legislation this was the result
of compromise.
Mr.. Vest said he addressed letter
to General Craigfrll, chief of engineers,
asking for facts as to the statement of
/ the president that he had learned from
official sources that the bill contained
appropriations intended to
SERVE PRIVATE INTERESTS.
The senator said General Craighill
nade no reply, but in response to a
Geographic query answered.: THE let
ter has been referred to the secretary
of war for instructions.
Up to date no information had been
given.
GROWS BITTER.
$50, for reasons best known TO the
administration" said Mr.. Vest, bitter
~ st is considered best not to go into
details, but to indulge in general and
historical defamation as to alleged
extravaganza and favoritism in it."
Mr.. Vest said he believed one of the
presidents charges applied to the
Brunswick, Ga, haubor one of the
best and most economical improve
nents in the country The senator
spoke of cheaper rates of transporta-
ton resulting from the improvements
ait 500, New Orleans, Baltimore, New
York. Boston and elsewhere. In the
platform on which Cleveland was first
nominated was a strong plank for
water improvements and his early
messages Endorsed these improve
nents. Mr.. Vest prophesed that in
the near future legislation would be
directed to further developing the in
ternational commerce and chea0ening
transportation.
Mr.. Sherman said he would vote to
pass the bill over the veto, because the
Improvement of the waterways of the
country was one of the most important
branches of national development ano
one in which other great nations were
showing even greater advance thar
the United States. Moreover, the leg
islative branch was given the exclusive
right ito appropriate money.
1t is time to curtail this daily exer