The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-21
SESSION OF THE SENATE.
The Last But One of the ApprOpria-
ton Bills Passed.


Washington, May 2O-The last but one
of the general appropriation bills-the one
which provides for fortifcations and other
works of defense-occupied the attention
of the Senate to-day. and was passed be-
fore adjournment. 1t carries nearly S11,-
100000 about S., 600 more than it carried
when it passed the House. The principal
item of increase is one of $3115,0OO for gun
and mortar batteries. There was a lit
tie or no controversy over any of the pro-
visions contained in the bill; but a rather
important discussion was precipitated by
an amendment offered to the bill by Mr..
German. This amendment proposes to
authorize the issue of 500, 600, 900 of treas
ury certificates of Indebtedness, bearing
per cent interest, in order to meet the
expenditures called for by the appropria-
ton bills of the present session, the ag-
gregate of which Mr.. German put at $780,,
000,00O The amendment was opposed by
Mr. Sherman, who declared that never be-
fore, had such an appropriation been made
to meet current expenses of the govern
ment in a time of profound peace; and
who argued that the proper course for
the Senate to pursue was to take up the
tariff bill passed by the House in the early
Iart of the session. leave off the free sill
yer amendment, which the Senate had at
,ached to it, and then pass it with such
additions as might be deemed wise, includ-
ing a tax on tea and coffee. He said that
ae would tear up all the appropriation bills
.ather than make such Il confession of
bankruptcy.
Mr.. German argued that the deficiency
IN the treasury could not be met in any
ether way than that which he proposed.
At the close of the discussion, the amend
ment was laid on the table by a vote of
q to 9.
Earlier in the day a conference report
on the river and harbOr bill was presented
BY Mr.. Frye, rep, of Maine, and effort
VAS made by him to get immediate ac-
ion on it. That was resisted, however.
BY Mr.. Bacon, dem, of Georgia, who had
earned that the appropriation for the har
Dor of Brunswick, Ga, had been struck
cut in conference, and who wanted to
argue the matter before the Senate. And
so Mr.. Frye rather reluctantly, consented
10 have the report go over till tomorrow.
Inc. only question that was not settled in
conference is the one relating to the deep
sea harbOr in Southern California. In the
preliminary discussion there was some
sharp criticism of the disposition of sena-
tors to adjourn congress. without attend
ing to the grave and important questions
requiring action.
a bill was introduced by Mr.. Allen, pop,
OF Nebraska, and was referred to the jul
dietary committee, defining the jurisdic-
non of the supreme court in the determine
uon of constitutional questions. 1t pro-
or adjudged to be unconstitutional, except
where all the justices concur in the opinion
to that effect.
The Senate bill passed on March 2 last
ana TO which a motion to reconsider was
pending, for the enlistment of additional
men IN the navy was taken up; the mo-
uon TO reconsider the vote on It's passage
Vas agreed to and the bill was placed on
the calendar.
Mr.. German who had made and who call
ea up the motion to reconsider, explained
Stuat the enlistment feature of the bill had
'yeen provided for in the naval appropria-
non Dill, but that there were other impor-
ant provisions which he wished TO dis
tuss: one OF these provisions gives au-
'Ior-ty to the Secretary of the Navy to
charter transport ships in case of emer-
Sency
s1nree Senate bills authorizing the con-
rrCIucllon, by the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
1Had Company of bridges across the War
H. HI, Cahoaba and Alabama rivers in Ala
D%.n3 were passed
morrow. 80 ~