Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-05-16
SENATOR HILL AS A STATESMAN
Bond Issue Investigation Monument
to Gen. Grant.

TO Gen. Grant.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE aid
ministration cannot extract either
!. pleasure Or satisfaction from the bond
question. It had scarcely recovered
from the chagriu caused by the adop-
ton OF that resolution directing the
Senate Finance committee to investi-
gate everything connected with all
the bond issues by this administra-
ton, with only six adverse votes.
when Senator Dubois, of Idaho, threw
a fresh bomb shell by offering a Joint
resolution providing that hereafter
no bonds shall be issued by any Off.
Ger OF the government until the Presi-
dent has explained to Congress the
necessity for the bonds, the amount Of
the proposed issue, and Congress
shall have authorized their issue.
There is little probability that this
resolution will ever reach the dignity
OF law, as it would certainly meet a
Presidential veto should it be adopted
by both branches Of Congress, and it
could not get two thirds vote in the
Senate. Still. it added to the un.
pleasant sensations of Mr.. Cleveland
and his Cabinet.
Speaking of vetoes, the friends of
the River and Harbor bill are SO GER
tain that Mr. Cleveland will veto il
that they have already made care
full canvass of both House and Sen.
ate with view to passing it over
his veto, and they express confidence
of being able to do so.
1t is now certain that Congress will
not adjourn on the date-May 1S-
set by the joint resolution which was
adopted by the House last week, and
not probable that adjournment will
come until after June I. although the
Senate could materially shorten the
session if so disposed; but owing to
no party having majority in the
Senate, no man can say what it will
or will not do with any degree of GER
tainty of the correctness of his asser-
ton. There have been vague ru-
mors of deliberate intention to pro-
long the session until after the Nation
al Conventions have been held. bv
starting up financial discussion, but
none of the leaders on either side take
any stock in such scheme, and SEN
ators as wide apart in their general
ideas as Mr.. Allison, of Iowa, and Mr..
German, of Maryland, agree in ex-
pressing the opinion that Congress
will adjourn before the meeting of the
st. Louis convention.
Considerable criticism has been
aroused by the action of the House in
following the example OF the Senate
and voting to allow members 500 a
month during the entire year for the
hire of a clerk, instead of only during
the time that Congress is actually in
session. The vote was 80 to IoS
! All inquiries at the State Depart
ment to ascertain what, if any, steps
have been taken in behalf Of the
American citizens who were captured
on the alleged fillibuster, Competi-
tor, and who have after a so-called
trial been sentenced to death by the
Spanish authorities, are met with
the reticence usual to that department.
From other sources it is understood
that Secretary Olney has made a
protest against the sentences being
carried out until an investigation has
been made by U. S. officials. A de-
mand, backed by warship. would
have been much more fitting than a
protest. The cases are exciting much
interest in Congress.
The prospects. of the erection of a
suitable monument at the National
Capital, in memory of Gen. Grant,
are now very promising. Senator
Squier's resolution, appropriating
$500, 900 is in fair way to become a
law before the expiration of the Fifty
fourth Congress, and Grant monu-
ment association has been formed for
the purpose of raising additional mon
ey by private subscription to be ex-
pended on the monument. Senator
Squier, who has been elected Presi-
dent of this association has received
letter from Mrs. Grant thanking
him for his efforts and indorsing his
resolution. The ball is now rolling,
and it will rot be allowed to stop I'M
| til that monument has been secured.
The people of the United States never
meant to neglect to pay suitable
tribute to the memory OF Gen. Grant;
it has merely been deferred.
Senator Hill is a Democratic states
man of high degree. as statesmen go
in that party. His term as Senator
will close next March, and during
his nearly six years in the Senate, he
has been responsible fol but one bill
and that has not yet become law,
although it has passed the Senate and
has been favorably reported from the
House Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce. And what think
you is this great and momentous
piece OF legislation that is to be the
only reminder to posterity-that is.
if it becomes a law that David B.
Hill served six years in the Senator
1t authorizes the Secretary Of the
Treasury to detail revenue cutter to
control excursion and other boats
which attend yacht races Now
doesn't that prove the craftsmanship
of Hill,