St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-25
ANXIOUS TO GO
HOME.
Mr.. G0RMAN WAS SARCASTIC.
EMBRACED AN OPPORTUNITY TO
RIDICULE THE VENEZUELAN
COMMISSION.
BOND RESOLUTION DEFERRED.
The Greater Part of the Senate Day
Devoted to the Sundry
Civil Bill.

WASHINGTON, April 24.-The fact that
such unusual progress was made with the
sundry civil appropriation bill in the senate
today, and that the Democrats manifested no
disposition to delay it's consideration, has
in the belief that an early adjournment is
probable. 1t is understood that the Demo-
cratic leaders have practically agreed that
congress shall close as soon as the appropria-
ton bills can be disposed Of and that they
will make no opposition to their considera-
ton with as much dispatch as is consistent
with their ideas Of the demands of public
business. They will expect however, that
opportunity shall be granted for the consid-
Grafton of one or two measures, and among
other things. will ask that a vote shall be
taken upon the resolution to seat Mr.. Dupont
as a senator from Delaware. The Demo-
Gratis think that in case a vote is taken on
this proposition, the resolution will be de-
feated.
The senate gave almost the entire day to
the sundry civil appropriation bill without
completing it. The debate was largely of a
formal character. Contrary to custom there
will be Saturday session.
At O'Clock the bond resolution was laid
before the senate, and Mr.. PETER, it's author
proposed notifications to meet the criticism
in the recent speech of Mr.. Hill. AS mod
if1ed the resolution strikes out the direction
that the special committee of five senators
shall inquire whether any officers of the gov
ernment made any contract or agreement in
connection with the bond issues with the in
tent to receive commission or personal re-
ward, and also the provision that not more
than two Of the senators on the committee
of inquiry shall be members of the same
political party. The resolution then went
over by agreement.
Venezuelan debate came up when the
item of the sundry civil bill was reached,
authorizing the Venezuelan commission to
pay rent for its quarters out of $100 600 ap-
propriated for its expenses. Mr.. German
suggested that explanation was in order.
In great haste and in great emergency con-
gress had appropriated 100000 at the sug-
gestion of the president for the purpose, as
was supposed, of preventing war. But now
il appeared that the legislation was not eff
fective in giving quarters for the Venezuelan
commission.
Mr.. Allison explained that the COMPTROLLER
of the treasury had ruled, that the Venezuelan
appropriation could not be used for renting
buildings within the District of Columbia.
MIR. Allison added that the comptroller was
very rigid in his rulings, as was we'll known.
Mr.. German expressed amazement at this
condition of affairs. Amid great popular ex-
citement and on the advice Of the president,
congress had made an appropriation for the
Venezuelan commission. It was designed to
settle conflict between two Of the greatest
orth and xynf
comptroller Of the treasury and says this mo-
mentous commission is without power to pay
it's rents.
Mr. Allison interrupted to say that the condi-
ton was really ridiculous, yet it existed, and
had to be met.
There is a feeling prevalent throughout
the country" added Mr.. German, "that the
emergency in this Venezuelan question is past
indeed, If it ever existed. 1t is gratifying to
know that this grave question has dwindled
down to question of rent of quarters for the
Venezuelan commission"
Mr. Allen Pop, Neb) said it was singular
that the Venezuelan commission had not taken
quarters in the state department instead of
renting private quarters. Mr. German insisted
on having the Venezuelan item go over until
he could communicate with the treasury de-
partment.
The seetarian question came up in a new
form, when the items were reached appropri-
atlng for the Providence and Garfield hospi-
tails, at Washington, for the care of destitute
invalids. Mr.. Gallinger Rep., N. H.) pro-
posed an amendment requiring contract to
be made by the Providence hospital This
brought forward Mr.. German in some general
statements on the sectarian question. He said
he confessed his amazement that the congress
Of the United States or any party in control of
congress should be so far swept from the plain
dictates Of justice as to raise the sectarian
question against hospitals. If it was for DO
litical purposes, Mr.. German declared, it
would react on its authors.
Mr.. German moved to lay the amendment on
the table, and the motion prevailed without
dissent.
Mr.. Chandler endeavored to have restric-
tions placed on the expenditures of the attor-
ney general in order to avoid deficiencies. and.
failing in this, remarked: ''Then if we cannot
have the reform, I hope we will have new
president of the United States, who will give
us new district attorneys and marshals to
keep down the expenditures" An amendment
was adopted appropriating $43, 900 additional
for the public building at Little Rock, Ark
Mr.. German Withdrew opposition to the Vene-
zuelan item, and it was adopted.