The Portland daily press., 1896-02-17
MORTON AND THE SEEDS
the Subject Of Hot Talk in the SEN
ate Saturday.

Members, Republicans and Democrats
Denounce the Course CT the sec,y. of
Observation-Disclosures of Louisiana Is
Extremely Indignant
Washington, February 15.-On motion
of Mr.. Draper, Republican of Massaohu-
setts, the House bill directing the secre-
AIRY of war to revoke the acceptance of the
resignation of Lieut.. John c. Cutter
for the good Of the service" in January
1864, and to Issue him an honorary dis
charge as OF the sam date, was passed.
Mr.. Gall, Republican of Tennessee,
from the committee on accounts, report
ed the resolution authorizing the COM
mlttee on ways and means to investigate
the workings of the reciprocity treaties.
Mr.. Grosvenor, Republican of Ohio.
presented the petition of 1859 mem bers
CT the q. A. R. praying for a graded
service pension law.
The House then went into committee
of the whole upon the agricultural a.
preparation BILL
MIR. Baker, Republican of New Hamp-
shire, whose controversy last summer
with Secretary Morton over the refusal
of the latter to distribute seed in a ccord-
ance with the appropriation law and the
intention and desire of Con gress was
exploited at the time, addressed tie com
mittee. He quoted largely from former
speeches In Congress and from reports by
departmental officers to show that the
secretary could have carried out the law
as passed by Congress to the advantage
of the country generally and farmers in
dividualiy in the
<DISTRIBU TION OF SEEDS.
as it had been done for more than thirty
years. Mr.. Baker asserted that there
was absolutely nothing in the opinion
of the Attorney General, upon which the
secretary of Agriculture said he based
his action, to warrant that official in re-
fusing to execute the law of Congress In
relation to the distribution of seeds.
Mr.. Moses, Democrat of Georgia. fol-
lowed Mr.. Baker in denunciati Oh of the
course of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Mr.. Boatner, Dem ocrat Of Louisiana,
was the next to attack the secretary.
His manner expressed the deep indigna-
ton he said he felt over the fact that the
refu-al of the Secretary of Agriculture
to expsnd the seed appropriations made
by the last Congress was based upon q
sort of false pretence. Said he: 1.-THE
individual who has found the way into
the agricultural department. under this
administration (laughter) considered it
not inconsistent with the dignity Of his
position to allow reports to 60 out
through the press, scattered broadcasJ
through the Union, that he had discoy-
cred great
FRAUDS AND ABUSES
from the distribution by members of
the seeds allotted to them under the ex-
listing law ! do not know whether these
statements are true or false. but do
know, and assert, that the publication of
any such soandalous charges against q
body of gentlemen. without the designa-
ton Of tie names Of the individuals who
have been found SO small and 80 corrupt
aud SO unfit for the positions they occupy,
was not only an insult to the Congress
OF the United States but cOwardly at
tack that was inconsistent with the dig
nifty of any man who occupied cabinet
position. For one, rs member of the
A3rd Congress, I resent and denounce as
| an infamous SANDER the imputation
hat thet body. as body, or the proceed
ing Congresses of which WAS member,
were addicted to that use Of the seeds
which were allotted TO them for distrib u-
| ton among their oonetituents.''
Mr.. Livingston, Democrat of Georgia,
followed in tho same line, but first criti
| cized the commissioner OF agricultu re-,
whom he said, the House and the ooun-
try would hold responsible for the con-
| duct of the Department. of Agriculture.
| The committee then rose and the House
adjourned till Monday.