Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-25
WHEN TO ADJOURN
Senator Platt's Resolution to End
the Session May 2.
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS THE house
Messrs. Bartlett and Boutelle Both
Have Something to Say.
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS

THE NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS
Both the floor Of the Senate and the gal
lcries were well nigh deserted when the
session opened today, as there was promise
that the exciting Cuban debate would give
way to the routine Of appropriation bills.
A joint resolution was adopted authoriZ-
Ing Profs. Simon Newcomb and Asaph Hall
to accept decorations from France.
A Decoration for Gen. Harrison.
Following this Mr.. Sherman presented
favorable report on the resolution authoriZ-
ing ex-President Benjamin Harrison to ac-
cept decorations conferred on him by Bra
zil and Spain while he was President.
Mr.. Sherman asked immediate action.
Let that resolution go over" interposed
MIR. Allen (Neb.).
One objection as sufficient to prevent
immediate action. so the resolution went
over.
Mr.. Gallinger (N.H) proposed an amend
nient to the Constitution. to be known
Article XVI, providing that neither Con-
gress nor any state shall pass any law re-
srecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or use
the credit Of the United States or any
state, or any money raised by taxation. for
the purpose Of founding. maintaining or
aiding any church, religious denomination,
or religious society, or any institution, So
ciety or undertaking which Is wholly or In
part under sectarian or ecclesiastical con-
troll.
The bill was passed authorizing the Kan
sas City, Watkins and Gulf Railway Com
pany to build a bridge across the Black
river. Louisiana.
An Adjournment Resolution.
At this point Mr.. Platt Comm rose and
said he thought 1t about time to consider
the question Of adjournment, and without
further comment he offered the following
written resolution: Resolved, by the Sen
ate and House Of Representatives. that the
President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House Of Representatives be authorized
to close the present session by adjourning
their respective houses on the I'd day of
May at 2 o'clock pm" Without any fur
Their comment the resolution was referred
to the committee on appropriations, and the
Senate turned to the consideration of the
legislative appropriation bill.
The question Of reforming the fee sys-
TEN Of the United States district attorneys
and marshals occasioned much debate.
Mr.. Hosr opposed the change from fees to
salaries by means of an appropriation bill.
as it was large subject needing separate
treatment.
Mr. Allen (Neb3 attacked the high sala-
RES proposed to he given to district at
torneys and criticized the manner in which
these salaries were being put through the
Senate. He declared that the Offices OF dis
trict attorney were given frequently in
payment Of political debts. and instead of
requiring high degree of legal talent, the
places sometimes went to "shysters," who
could not earn living out of office.
THE HOUSE.
There was a dash o. excitement in the
opening proceedings Of the House today.
Mr.. Bartlett IN. " rose to a question Of
personal privilege to deny statement made
in local paper, which charged that he had
furnished the campaign circular used by
Mr.. Sulzer IN. " a few days ago during
the consideration Of the Bayard resolutions
in the latters attack upon Mr.. Gibson
CTenn.)
The publication stated that there was
direct evidence that Mr.. Bartlett had pick
ed up the circular in a job printing Office
in this city, and had given 1t to Mr. Sulzer
Such an act, said Mr. Bartlett to say the
least. would be ungentlenlany. if not das-
tardly. 1t would be anything but cour-
ageous to allow another gentleman to make
attack which he himself would not
make. The publication might not be libel
Gus, but it was certainly lie. AS mat
ter of fact, the charge was false; he had
never been in job printing office in Wash
ington in his life 1.-The only redress a
member has in case like this" he con-
cluded. us to draw attention to the libel
and denounce the fabrication
Mr.. BOutclIe's Explanation.
Mr.. Boutelle (Me.) was on his feet as
soon as Mr.. Bartlett sat down. He, too,
had q ques ton of privilege to present, he
said, in connection with a colloquy between
Gen. Wheeler of Alabama and himself
during the debate yesterday the bill
to remove the restriction against the ap-
pointment as officers of the army and navy
Of men who had held commissions in the
United States service before the civil war
and who subsequently had fought in the
confederate army. His opening sentence
raised laugh.
During one Of those gusts of fervid en-
thusiasm which occasionally sweep over
the house, said he, "and almost drive US
into war with England and Spain, the
House on yesterday undertook negotiations
with the southern confederacy for peace
l made a few remarks, and several gem
tlemen were anxious to give mo instruc-
TONS" He was proceeding to explain that
while he was speaking about democratic
opposition to the retirement of General
Grant, General Wheeler challenged his
statement, when Mr.. Crisp Interrupted and
insisted that Mr.. Boutelle should state his
question of privilege first and make his
speech afterward.
Mr. Boutelle replied that If M Crisp
would possess his soul IL patience he would
hear his question of privilege.
The speaker ruled that Mr. Boutelle was
proceeding in order.
THAT settles it, exclaimed Mr.. Crisp, as
he took his seat.
Il hope the gentleman will have full
range" SAID Mr.. Wheeler, who was prcpar-
ing to reply to him.
II OBJECT" interpos,d Mr.. Miles (Md.),
Ito giving the gentleman frcm Maine free
rein In anything"
Mr.. Boutelle proceeded to read from the
Congressional Record to show that Mr.
Wheeler had altered the record so as to
say that MANY democrats voted for the
bill to retire Gen. Grant," instead of "all
the democrats as the official notes report
ed him. AS a matter of fact, Mr.. Boutelle
said, the vote on the Grant bill was 1913
ayes to 70 nays.
Mr.. Owens Ky) attempted to prevent
Mr.. Boutelle from rehearsing the history of
the bill. and the Speaker thought that
branch of the matter was not competent,
but Mr.. Boutelle made his point by stating
that SO of the 70 votes against the bill
were cast by ex-confederates.
He moved that the Record be corrected.
and without objection it was so ordered.
Mr.. Wheeler, meantime, was clamoring
for recognition. The Speaker thought he
should be allowed to explain. Mr. Wheeler.
however. wanted to go back and review the
history OF the Grant bill. This was not
permitted, and he finally contented himself