The herald., 1896-12-22
IN THE HOUSE.
Time Devoted to the Considera ton of
the Appropriation Bills.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The house
today practically completed the con-
sidenation Of the legislative executive.
and judicial appropriation bill, but final
action Will not be taken until tomorrow.
Almost the whole day was devoted to
debate on the provision of the bill re-
lating to the control of the new con-
gressional library. Both the appropri-
ations and library committees offered
plans for the future care of the build
ing. After somewhat acrimonious
contest the appropriations committee
gained the victory, defeating the SUBJ
stitute of the library committee by a
vote of 27 to S5.
An amendment designed to place the
employees of the library under the civil
service law was also defeated-27-73
Under the provision of the measure as
adopted Librarian Spofford will continue
IN Office with an increase of salary from
$4,000 to $6000
The senate amendments to the immi-
grafton bill were nom -concurred in Bar
tholdt, chairman of the immigration
committee, fought to have the bill and
amendments recommitted to his commit
tee and in the course of his remarks re-
ferred to the fact that the foreign-born
population of the United States had
turned the scales in several states for
sound money and protection.
IN speaking to his motion, he said the
plil as It passed the house was compro-
mise and was satisfactory to the extrem-
lists on both sides. Those who believed
as ne did, that all people should be given
the right of asylum here, had accented
the Dill to prevent the passage of a
harsher measure
lie spoke of the victory for Sound
money won a the last election ard at :
trlputed 1t largely to the loyalty, sound
sense and patriotism of the adopted cit :.
liens, who, he said, had turned the scale
IN nan dozen states toward Mckinley
and protection.
Inc position of the foreign population
at the late election, he said, had been a
complete refutation of the charges so
recklessly made before as to the dangers
involved in unrestricted immigration.
Whlle those who believed with him were
ready TO accept the house bill at the last
session, many of the German Americans
ana other naturalized citizens now be-
ileve that in view of the fact that they
mad at the election saved the party and
the country they should be granted
immunity from any restrictive meas
ures. Yet he said, the senate proposed
to increase the harshness of the bill.
lie then took up the senate amend
ments seratim and entered upon his OBJ
Jectlons. He ridiculed the educational
test provided for in thesenate amend
ment. 1T was absurd. he said to ask
German or Irish servant girl to read and
write five lines of the constitution. The
constitution was difficult of comprehen-
sion. The application of the test should
be left to the executive officers, in his
opinion.
Mr.. Danford, Republican, of Ohio
contested MI. Bartholdts motion with
one to non-concur in the senate amend
ments and agree to conference
Mr.. w. A. Stone. Republican, of Penn
sylvania gave it as his opinion that ow..
ing to the shortness of the session to
send the bill back to the committee
would sound its death knell. He earnest
ly urged the adoption of Mr.. Danford's S
motion.
Mr.. Cam, Republican, of Massachu-
sets and Mr.. Wilson, Democrat, of
South Carolina supported the Danford
motion as the only method of securing
legislation at this session.
Mr.. Bowers, Republican, of California,
Mr. Willis, Republican, of Delaware and
Mr.. Foote, Republican, of New York
argued in favor of Danford's motion.
Mr.. Bartholdt's motion was defeated
without division and Mr.. Danford's mo-
tion to non-concur and send the bill to
conference was adopted.
The speaker appointed Messrs. Barth-
oldt of Missouri, Danford of Ohio and
Wilson of South Carolina conferees on
the part of the house
The house then wen into committee of
the whole and spent the remainder of
the day in consideration of the legisla-
tive appropriation bill.
The house adjourned at 5:07 p. m.