The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-11

spoke in his usual breezy way on "armol
robbery" He referred to the grip by tn,
= throat which the armor concerns had OF
congress, and looking around the senat,
asked if there were attorneys or a lobb,
here or senators interested in seeing thes,
contracts given out.
A final vote on the battleshps will b,
taken tomorrow.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, June "a contest for
the right-of-way arose as soon as the
senate met today.
Mr.. Vest DEM of Missouri, in charge
of the river and harbor bill, sought to
have the presidents veto of that meas
ure taken up. This was opposed by Mr..
Pettigrew (Rep.) of South Dakota. in
charge of the appropriation bill confer
ence report.
Mr.. Vest urged that the suspension and
possible destruction of the work of i'm
] provement of international waterways
(iSas of more moment than any one sub
Z ject, save that of national honor. 1t was
imperative that the question be settled
now. so that if the vote was sustained it
could be determined whether another
river and harbor bill was to be framed
The bill and veto were taken up-yeas
49, nays, 10.
The negative vote was cast by: Demo-
crats-Bate, Chiffon, Harris, Palmer
Nilas-5. Republicans-Br Brown. Morrill,.
I Pettigrew, .Pritchard, Teler-5. To-
/ tai. 10.
The veto message was then read.
Mr.. Vest said that the veto contained
statements which, however much he
might respect the high honor of the pres
ldent. ought not to 80 unchallenged The
senator did not question the presidents
veto prerogative, but the trainers of the
constitution never had intended that this
power should be exercised in the Ordi-
nary affairs of the government. 1t was
to be power to meet extraordinary
emergencies when popular passion had
led to too hasty legislation, or when a
constitutional question was involved.
The earliest presidents who stood near
est to the constitution exercised the veto
but seven times, twice by Washington:
I'VE by Madison, and never by Jefferson
or John Adams.
Mr.. Vest then analysed the statements
Of the veto concerning extravaganza.
The president had, he said, stated that
the bill made direct appropriations of
about S14.OOO,O0O. while in fact the ag-
gregate was S12,6OS.900 difference of
S1.391 100. This was hardly character
istic of the effectiveness of the emana-
tons of Mr. Cleveland, who never had
served in a legislative body and seemed
to have a tendency to minimize the re-
spOnsibility of legislator to his con-
stituents.
Mr.. Vest took up other items, showing
that the totals were less than the presi-
dents statement would Indicate The
senator said as to the general charge of
extravaganza, that in view of the vast
Interests involved. the extent of the
country and the fact that the river and
harbor bill covered two years this meas
IRE was comparatively reasonable There
were items open to question. yet. as in all
legislation, this was the result of COM
promise
Mr.. Vest had addressed letter to Gen.
Craighill. chief of engineers, asking as to
the facts of the statement of the presi-
dent that he had learned from official
sources that the bill contained appro-
priations intended to serve private in
terests. The senator said Gen. Craighill
made no reply. but in response to tel
eegraphic query. answered that the letter
mad been referred to the secretary of
war for Instructions"
Up to this date no information had been
given. so it is considered best not to go
INTO details on these charges. but to in
dmlge in general declarations as to the
alleged extravaganza and favoritism con-
tanned in it.
Mr.. Vest said he believed one of the
presidents charges applied to Brunswick
Ga.. harbOr, one of the best and most
economical improvements in the country
The senator spoke of the cheaper rates
OF transportation resulting from i'm
provements at the 500, New Orleans,
New York, Boston and elsewhere. In
the platform on which Mr.. Cleveland |
was first nominated was a strong plank |
Tor, waterway improvements and his |
early message Endorsed these improve
ments.
, Mr.. Vest prophesied that in the near |
Mture legislation would be directed TO |
airther developing internal commerce |
nd cheapening transportation.
AIR. Sherman said he would vote II
BASS the bill over the veto because the |
Improvement of the waterways was one
y the most important branches Of MI
ional development and one in which |