The herald., 1896-04-10
IN THE HOUSE
Fitzgerald Of Massachusetts, Takes the A. p.
A. To Task

WASHIN INGTON. April 9.-Ine mouse
today, after debating the bill, u abolish
compulsory pilOtage ct sealing vessels
engas 4 in the coastwise trade, de-
feated the measure by large major
ity, 81 to Ill. The District of Colum-
bia bill which was re-committed early
in March, after a protracted fight
against appropriations for private and
sectarian charitable institutions, was
brought into the house today with the
specific appropriations stricken out and
containing in lieu thereof an appropria-
ton of a lump sum for charities, to De
expended under the direction of the
district commissioners, with the proviso
that no part of the appropriation should
go to institutions under ecclesiastical or
sectarian control. The feature of the
debate was vigorous attack on the a.
p. A. by Mr.. Fitzgerald, Democrat Of
Massachusetts,
1T has been stated" said he that
members of the A. p. A. organization
never made any opposition to the ap-
preparation for this institution until the
night before they bombarded the COM
mittee room and insisted upon the ap
propriations for these institutions being
stricken out"
1.-The animus of this organization,
he proceeded, lis we'll known. Members
of the house have been importuned not
in the interest of justice, of freedom
Americanism, to oppose this bill, but
because it appropriated money for
Catholic institutions. l stand upon this
floor born and bred a Roman Catholic,
and proud of it, and deny the right of
any secret oath-bound organization to
come before the legal representatives
of the American people and by its
dark, deep, underhanded methods seek
to deprive me and the members of the
religion which l profess from the hon
est rights and privileges of American
citizenship. What apology is there
for Roman Catholic to live in this
country? Is one necessary? Look at
the deeds of bravery and heroism and
craftsmanship that have been per-
formed by Roman Catholics. chal-
lenge any member of the A. P. A. Or
ganization in this house, or any men,
ber in sympathy with it, to name any
sphere in life or any public duty that
has been badly. filled or lily performed
by members of the Roman Catholic
church. In the great war of the revo-
luton Washington had no stauncher
friends nor firmer supporters than the
Roman Catholic members of his staff;
and when we look at the great naval
struggle which was the pride and glory
of the American people at that time, the
first name that springs to our lips is
that of an Irishman, Roman Catholic,
Captain John O'Brien, who achieved
the first great naval victory of the war
off the coast of Maine. My friends, If
we should have war with England on
account of the Venezuelan matter, or
war with Spain on account Of the Cuban
matter. where would the members of
this infamous organization be? Where
would they be found? They would be
found in the same place and under the
same auspices they were found in the
war of the rebellion-taking a trip to
Nova Scotia to put themselves under
the protection of Queen Victoria and
the British flag"
After some further remarks by Mr..
Wheeler Oem., Ala), Mr.. McRae
Dem., Ark.) and Mr.. Grout (Rep., Ve--
monD, the vote was taken on the
amended bill, which was passed on IL
rising vote, 134 to 81.
The house non-concurred in the SEN
ate amendments to the postoffice appro-
priation bill and agreed to conference,
and Messrs. Loud (of California;, Smith
(Rep., Ill.) and Kyle Dem., Miss) were
appointed conferees.
The house went into committee of the
whole on the motion of Mr.. Grosvenor
Rep, Ohio) to consider the filled cheese
bill, reported from the committee on
ways and means. 1t is expected that
the debate on this measure, which af-
fects dairymen all over the country, will
consume several days.
"A resolution was adopted calling on
Secretary Olney for information relat-
ing to any measures by the government
to secure the liberation of Mrs. May
brick, now confined in an English pris-
on under life sentence for poisoning her
husband.
CONGRESSIONAL NOTES.
WASHINGTON. April 9.-In the
senate today Senator Mcmillan gave no.
tice that he would make motion to have
the naval appropriation bill amended
so as to provide 900 for arming ana
equippng the naval militia of the va
rious states.
Representative Van Noorhis of Ohio
has reported to the house from the
banking and currency committee bill
to permit the organization of national
banks with a capital of not less than
$4,000 in cities of 1000 inhabitants. I'm
der the existing law the minimum capi-
ital stock required for the organization
of national bank is 10000.
The house committee on territories
today voted to favorably report the New
Mexico statehood bill to the house and
also decided to defer action on tine Ari-
zona bill