The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-05-16

be spent annually. It was necessary
provision, said Senator 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.
If he were secretary of war, said Sena-
tor German, he would apply the rule sug-
gested by Senator Sherman, of not obli-
eating the government FOR 81 of these con-
tracts until congress made provision for
the revenues to meet them. This amend
ment was merely caution to our execu-
tive officer that, in view of our condition,
he must not spend more than $10,OO0,00O a
year. The senator expressed his apprecia-
ton Of the river and harbor bill, the most
important of the appropriation bills, but
this amendment would permit ample ex-
penditures with proper limitations.
In reply to a suggestion Of Senator
White, that the secretary of war had al
ready shown a disposition to restrict the
river and harbor work. Senator German
took occasion to express his high personal
regard for the present secretary of war,
but the senator felt that he could not con-
scientiously give his vote to measue that
would put it in the power OF one man to
spend money that the government does not
possess.
The debate took wide range under the
ive-minute rule, which had been agreed
on.
The amendment by Senator Gray was
accepted making the $10,000,000 restriction
apply specifically to contracts and not to
iirect appropriations.
Senator Allison proposed an amend.
ment fixing the limitation on contract ex.
Senator Vest moved to table the Cor
nan proposition and all amendments,
which prevailed, yeas 40. noes %. as fol
lows:
Yeas-Republicans, Aldrich. Baker, Bur
rows, Cameron, Cullom, Dubois, Elkins,
Frye, Gallinger, Lodge, Mcbride, Mantle,
Mitchell of Oregon. Nelson, Perkins. ret
tigrew, Plat, Quay, Sewell, Sherman,
Shoup. Squire, Thurston, Wetmore, viii
son-25; democrats, Bacon, Berry, Black
burn Caffery, George. Jones Of Arkan-
sas. Mills, Pasco, Pugh, Vest, Walthan
and White-12; populists. Butler. Jones OF
Nevada and Stewards; total. 40.
Noes-Republicans Allison, Brown,
Chandler Hawley Proctor-5: democrats.
Bate. Brice. Cockrell, Faulkner, German,
Gray, Harris, Hill, Lindsay. Martin.
Mitchell Of Wisconsin, Roach, Smith, vi
las-14; populists, Allen, PETER and Kyle
3: total, %.
The Sabine Pass. Texas. project as
reduced from 81, 400, 600 to $1.OOO.000 ca the
motion Of Senator Frye.
Senator Lindsay offered an amendment
directing the secretary Of war to adjust
contracts that not more than 20 per cent
of any one appropriation would be ex-
pended in any one year.
Senator Smith said he hoped some
amendment limiting the expenditures
would prevail. The aggregate Of the BILL
including contracts, reached about So
100000, an amount unprecedented and
double that in the best times Of the coun-
try Considering the business conditions
or the country and of the treasury part
OF the government money being raised by
bonds. congress was not justified in APP
propriating greater amount than ever
before in the history of the government,
On motion of Senator Frye the amend
ment OF Lindsay was tabled, yeas 81, noes
IL, the detailed vote being substantially
the same as the previous one.
Senator Allen said he was astonished
that the democratic senators joined with
the republicans in supporting this bill.
The vast amount involved would be ex-
pended largely by republican secretary
of war, according to the present outlook.
He said it would doubtless benefit the re-
publican campaigns and the senator said
he could see why the republican senator's
supported, but not why the democrats
should. He pointed out in detail the num-
Der of creeks, mill ponds. lagoons and
bitches in the bill.
Senator Frye vigorously resented sena-
tor A11en'S remarks The Nohro clio .,,,