The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-02
THE F|FTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
THE LEGISLATION APPROPRIA-
TON BILL PASSED THE SEN
ATE YESTERDAY.
A POLITICAL TRICK KNOCKED OUT.
Republicans Tried to Have the Date of
Assembling of the New Mexico
Legislature Changed-House
Committee Matters.

|
Washington, March 27.-The senate in
dulged in an acrimonious political de-
bate, which developed much personal and
party feeling and brought on two sharp
personal exchanges between Mr.. Hill and
Mr.. Elkins and between Mr. Brice and
Mr.. Elkins.
| The controversy arose over Mr.. Hills
motion to strike from the pending appro-
pration bill the proposed change of the
date assembling the New Mexico legisla-
ture from December to May.
Mr.. Hill bitterly denounced the change
as a political trick" which had been
''sneaked into" this appropriation bill in
order, as he claimed, to postpone the meet
ing of the Democratic legislature in the
hope that Republican president would
be elected and the political control of the
| Territory changed.
Mr.. Elkins protested against the use of
the words ''sneaked in"
The exchange between the senator's was
very animated, but Mr.. Hill persisted i'll
the used of his adjectives.
Later Mr.. Brice sought to question Mr.
Elkins, when the latter brought up the
offensive personal dispatch which had
been sent to Mr.. Brice from New Mexico
| The debate took wide range, Senators
German, Faulkner Cockrell and other
Democrats attacking the motion, while
Senators Elllins, Carter, Cullom and 9TH
er Republicans defended it,
Mr.. Cullom sought to table Mr.. Hills
motion, but a motion to this effect failed
-21 to 29-whereupon Mr.. Cullom yield
ed to the Hill motion and the New MeXi-
co provision was struck out.
At the close of the day the senate pass
ed the legislative appropriation bill, car
rying sci, 100000. Aside from provid-
ing the usual appropriations the bill IS
important in effecting the reform of the
system of compensation for United States
district attorneys and marshals, salaries
being substituted for fees.
Then senate adjourned until Monday.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, March 27.-The Rev. DR..
Hill Burns prayer in the senate today,
made eloquent reference to the death of
Dennis Il. Murphy, the veteran chief of
stenographers of the senate, for his ex'
emplary service during long period.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont presented a
favorable report on the bill proposing the
purchase of square opposite the east
front of the capitol, adjacent to the new
congressional library, for supreme court
building.
The legislative appropriation bill was
then taken up. The pending question
was the motion of Mr.. Sherman TO strike
out all provision relating to the change of
compensation from fees to salaries for
United States district attorneys and mar
shas.
Mr.. Villas offered further amendment
proposing a uniform salary of $4,000 to
district of New York, to be left as at pres
ent, and giving $4,000 for the large dis
tricts of Massachusetts,, Eastern Pennsyl-
vania, Eastern Louisiana, Northern Hi
nois and Northern California.
Mr.. Allison spoke against the practice
of placing ''riders" on the appropriation
bills, but he regarded this reform as ex-
ceptionable and desirable.
The position of the senator from Iowa
(Allison), said Mr.. Hoar, reminds me of
the Scotch lassie who said she had found
that the best way to get rid of a tempta-
ton was to yield to it.
At the close of the discussion Mr.. Villas
amendment was defeated on viva voce
vote. A roll call followed on Mr.. Sher-
mans amendment and it was defeated
Is to 30. This was accepted as test
indicating the adoption of the proposed
change from the fee to the salary system
for district attorneys and marshals.
At this point Mr.. Hill created some
thing of sensation. He moved to strike
out the provision that the legislative as
sembly of New Mexico shall meet in May
This is small, mean, contemplate po-
litical trick" exclaimed Mr.. Hill, with
great vigOr. 1T is a provision sneaked
into this appropriation bill to force the
approval of the president"
The senator went on to explain that the
present legislature. which was Demo
cratic, would meet in December. But il
was attempted in this amendment to put
off the meeting of the legislature until
May in the hope that Republican presi.
dent might be inaugurated in the mean.
time. 1t was a contemplate trick to
what right have you to say sneak
imp" asked Mr.. Elkins. what au.
thority have you for such statement
"Ah," responded Mr.. Hill, with junction.
II thought I'd stir up the senator from
New Mexico. l see beside him the arl.
thor of this plan, who on the minute is
here to whisper in his ear in support of
it."
What mean by 'sneaked in pro-
ceeded Mr.. Hill, sis that it is unworthy
that this political trick should be tried in
connection with Il great appropriation
BILL"
But the senator has made serious
charge" persisted Mr.. Elkins, ''let him
confine his explanation to the assertion
Of sseaking in What does he mean
by that?"
81 mean that such political plan has
no place here. 1t was created and
sneaked in Will the senator deny that
this is political amendment"
Mr.. Elkins responded that the house
of representatives, in the exercise of its
rights, had introduced this proposed
change.
Mr.. Hill reiterated that the amendment
had 'crawled in" OF course the sena-
tor from West Virginia would deny it.
When he denied that this was a political
trick he showed his capacity for emergen-
ices.
Some senator in the rear of Mr.. Hill
whispered that Mr.. EllSins had not made
q denial.
"Then if he has not denied it, he will
deny it," continued Mr.. Hill, ''for he
does not want to father this petty little
political plan"
| u,bo eono 30, x,.a,,f IN fo accart tho+ N ~.