San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-04-10
OBJECTS TO THE A. P. A.
Fitzgerald DemOcrat), Of
Massachusetts,, Delivers Himself
80 n Cnaaoh
Of a Speech

WASHINGTON, d. c., April g.,
The District of Columbia appro-
priation bill, which was recon-
mended early in March after
protracted fight against appropria-
lions for private and sectarian
charities was brought into the
house today with the specific APP
preparations stricken out and con-
tanning in lieu thereof an appro-
priatiOn of a lump sum for chart
ties to be expended under the d.
rection of the district commission
ers,swith the provision that no part
of the appropriation should go to
institutions under ecclesiastical or
sectarian control.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said: at has
been stated that members OF the
A. p. A. organization never made
any opposition to these appropria-
lions until the night before and
they bombarded the committee
room and insisted upon the appro'
priations for these institutions be-
| ing stricken out. 1.-THE animus OF
this organization" he proceeded,
sis we'll known. Members OF the
house have been importuned, not
| in the interest OF justice
or freedom or OF a broad
spirit of liberality and Ameri-
canism to oppose this bill, but
because it appropriates for Catholic
institutions. 1 stand upon this
floor, born and bred Roman Cath
Ollie, and proud Of it, and l deny
the right OF any secret oath-bound
organization to come before the
legal representatives Of the Ameri-
can people and by its dark and UNI
derhand methods seek to deprive
me and the members OF the relig-
ion which I profess Of the
honest rights and privileges aud
dues Of American citizenship.
What apology is there for a Roman
Catholic to live In the country? ls
one necessary? Look at the deeds
OF bravery and heroism and states
manship that have been performed
by Roman Catholics. l challenge
any member OF the A. P. "A. organ
ization in this house or any mem
Der in sympathy with it to name
any sphere in life or any public
duty that has been lily performed
by members Q! the Roman
! Catholic church. In the
great war OF the revolution
Washington had no firmer friends
or firmer supporters than the
Roman Catholic members OF his
staff, and when we look at the
greater naval struggle which was
the pride and glory OF the Ameri-
can people at that time the first
name that springs to our lips is
that OF an Irishman, a Roman
Catholic John O'Brien), who
achieved the first great naval
victory of the war, of the
coast of Maine. 1t was not
asked whether Koscfhsko or Pulas.
XII or Lafayette were Catholics
when the thirteen colonies were
struggling for their independence.
At that time could you find any
fanatics? At that time could you
find persons stealthily creeping
around from one end of the coun-
try to the other in secrecy, intrigu-
ing against a mans religion? l
know we talk. about the breadth
and liberty of the American people
in these days. Why, sir, 1t
is not to be compared with
the breath and liberality and wis
dom that was exhibited in thoss
times. My friends, IL we should
have war with England on account
OF Venezuela or war with Spain on
account of the Cuban matter
where would the members of this
famous organizations be found?
Where would they be found? They
would be found in the same place
and under the same auspices that
they were found in the war of the
rebellion. taking the steamers for
Nova Scotia to put themselves I'M
der the protection of Queen Vic
toria and the British flag"
Mr.. Fitzgerald's speech did not
change the result. The vote taken |
on the amended bill passed on a |
rising vote, l34 to 81.