The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-11
causes Senator Vest to Roast the
Secretary.
Says the Grain Should Be Dis
tributed as Formerly.
THE TARIFF BILL VOTE
Will Be Taken in the Senate on
Wednesday.
Hearings Set for Three Import
ant Topics.

WASHINGTON, Feb. I1.-Although
the Senate failed to accomplish much
yesterday, the session served to make
definite the program on a number of
important matters. Mr.. Morrill,, chair
man of the finance committee, gave
notice that he would call up the tariff
bill on next Wednesday. Mr.. Call Sc
cured unanimous consent that the
Cuban question be made the special
order following the deficiency appro-
priation bill. Mr.. Davis. author of
the Davis resolution on the Monroe
doctrine, gave notice that on next
Wednesday he would call up the reSo-
luton. Thus the three most import
ant pending questions were given a
definite time for hearing.
Consideration was resumed on the
resolution directing the Secretary of
the distribution of seeds, and Mr..
Vest, Democrat of Missouri, renewed
his criticism of the Secretary. The
Senator called attention to published
interview with the Secretary of Agri-
culture inviting impeachment and i'm
plying that the President would veto
the resolution if Congress passed it.
In view of these statements, Mr.. Vest
said, the President should have full
information on the subject, and he
proceeded TO show from agricultural
department reports that the Secretary
had himsely, though opposing this
seed law, used the appropria ton for
his own purposes" by making eXces-
sive seed distri buttons in his own
State of Nebraska.
sit is enough declared the SEN
ator, to make the star-eyed goddess of
reform hang her head and blush for
shame"
Mr.. Vest offered substitute resolu-
ton, directing the Secretary of Agrl-
culture to purchase and distribute
seeds as in previous years, and to pro-
cure them by open purchase or con-
tract.
Mr. Bate. Democrat, of Tennessee,
said it was not fair or just that the
Secretary of Agriculture should be
accused in this manner without his
view of the subject being understood.
The Senator said the senate speeches
were ''infiammatory and declama
tory" dealing with abuse and sarcasm,
when, in the opinion of Mr.. Bate, the
Secretary had acted with wisdom and
justice. The Senator said he had
looked into the charge of the Senator
from Missouri Vest, that orchids,
lilies of the valley and palms were
sent to the receptions by the President
and cabinet officers, and found that
not sprig of green or rose had
ever been sent by the Secretary of
Agriculture to the White house or to
the home of any cabinet officer.
Mr. Vest explained that he had IN
tended to show that the secretary, IN
starting out as reformer, had failed
TO reform this profligate expenditure,
but it was not intended to say that the
secretary had direct control of the
subject.
So, declared MIR. Bate, the sarcasm
and invective of the orchids and lilies
of the valley and the dogfennel and
the light of the chandeliers on the red
wine was mere poetry and vanished
in to the air. Mr.. Bate went on to de-
clare his fidelity to the agricultural
interests, but he opposed the appropri-
alton of SEQ, 900 for seeds this year be-
cause it would be too late to plant
them, and therefore they might as
well be thrown in the sea. At i o'clock
the senate adjourned out of respect to
the memory of Congressman Grain