The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-01
indianapolis to Suffer on Account OF
Measures offered by Greedy Menu
bers Seeking Reelection.
MR.. HENRY DISAPPOINTED
HE DOES NOT NOW EXPECT TO sE-
CURE FAVORABLE ACTION.
Revolt of Certain Representation
Against the spealSer-Bids for bonds
Above Amount offered.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-There are evi-
dences cropping out In the House OF
nnutiny. Speaker Reed has issued orders
that in view Of the critical condition Of the
treasury al appropriations shall be held
down TO the lowest figures and that no bills
carrying appropriations shall be passed un-
less their enactment is absolutely essen
tial TO the conduct of the government. Ac-
ccrdingly the committees public build
ings and grounds and on rivers and harbors
were notified that no bills would be expect-
ed from it unless they were OF almost in
finitesinal proportions. But there has
grown up almost a revolt among that class
OF members of the House whose se-electioa
depends almost solely on a local appropria-
ton. be il for dredging river or a harbor
or for erecting a new postoffice. A combine
has been formed by which the public build
ings and grounds committee has consented
to report to the House favorably a large
batch of public-building bills. and the river
and harbor committee also gives indications
of reporting bill for the mutual benefit OF
needy members. The result OF such tao
tics, intended solely to circumvent the plain
intentions OF the Speaker. is easily foretold-
Intead of affording few meritorious meas
ures a chance for proper discussion in the
House, the probabilities are now that none
OF the bills will pass.
Chairman Mi.likin and other conservative
members of the public buildings committee.
who, while unwilling TO prevent worthy
measures from passage. are at the same
time determined TO oppose this proposed
raid, have felt compelled to yield TO the
clamor to the degree that large number
CT bills for new buildings may have favor
able reports, but they have wisely and
patriotically rescued the treasury by strik-
ing out of every public-buiding bill the
clause carrying the appropriation. In this
shape the bills are comparatively harmless
The bills which the committee has con-
sented TO report would have carried appro-
priations footing up from s15.00o.ooo to So
100000. The treasury is notoriously unable
TO stand any such onslaught and therefore
many excellent bills, like the Indianapolis
postoffice bill. which is included among
those thus reported. must fail of practical
enactment because of the selfish greed OF
those members who bully the House for
the avowed purpose of procuring renomina-
tion and election.
CANNON'S POSITION.
Chairman Cannon, OF the appropriations
committee. Is an old campaigner. and early
in the session expected this raid. For that
reason, when he arranged the subcommit-
tees of the appropriations committee he
placed himself at the head of the subcom-
mittee for preparing the sundry civil bill.
1t is this bill which must make provision
for the appropriation OF the money needed
to carry out bills passed by the House
which do not carry their own appropria-
NJ
fore, which the House may pass lack prac-
tical effect until the necessary moneys are
provided for in the sundry civil bill There
are two methods open TO Mr.. Cannon.
Either he will simply ignore all the pubic
: building bills which might prove difficult or
(and this is his more probable plan) ne
will hurry the sundry civil bill through the
House before the gentlemen behind the
bublic-building bills get their work I'm. The
public-buildings committee is not privileged
TO report at any time. Hence the strong
probability that the appropriation bills viii
be safely out of the way before any OF these
public buildings are authorized IL is un-
fortunate that the worthy must suffer with
the buncombe bills. but the unpleasant out
look exists that the indianapolis postoffice
bill Will not get further at this session than
a fruitless passage In the House.
The rivers and harbors committee Is SIM
ilarly situated. Strong infimations are
thrown out at the War Department that
mo river and harbor bill will become a
law this year" which. being interpreted.
means a presidential veto. At the Capitol
Speaker Reed and Chairman Cannon are
determined that only the most modest sort
OF biz. not exceeding a very few mil
lions, shall pass. IL the selfish interest or
members threatens to run away with this
committee, as IL has done with the public
buildings and grounds committee. then that
bill will also be squelched.
The pub,ic-buIlding bills which the SUBJ
committee agreed 10 report favorably fol-
low: Altoona. Pa. $4,000: indianapolis.
sl.25O.ooo; st. Paul. Minn.. increase limit OF
cost to 100000; Omaha. Neb. Increase
limit Of cost to 100000; Hot Springs. Ark.
100000: Oakland. Cal increase limit OF cost
10 $4,000: Salem. Ore. 100000: Spokane.
Wash, s5oo.ooo: Topeka, Kan. additional, to
complete building. $4,000.
Mr. Henry feels indignant. and very just
ly so, at the probable fate OF the Indian
apolis bill. He had cut down the sum
asked for from se.o0e.ooo TO $4,000 and
now he sees that the reckless greed OF
other members viii render practically USE
less all his work I'm that direction.