The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-06-04
VETO OF THE FREsI-
DENT.
BUT FIVE NEGATIVE VOTES.
THE COURSE OF THE PRESIDENT
DEFENDED By Villas AND
HILL.
DEBATE Personal IN IT'S TONE
During the Day TiIlman Was Given
Chance to Get Out His
Pitchfork.

F WASHINGTON, june S.-The senate to-
day passed the river and harbor bill over
the presidents veto, by the vote of Sc to 5.
This was the last step in making the bill
effective and it is now q law. The vote was
taken after three hours Of spirited debate,
during which the president was criticised
and defended. the remarks at times being
directly and bitterly personal Opposition 20
the veto was expressed by Senator'S Vest,
Sherman, Pettigrew, Hawley and Butler,
while the veto was defended by Senators
Villas, Hill and Bate. When a partial con-
ference report was presented on the naval
appropriation bill Mr.. Quay moved that the
senate recede from its amendment reducing
the number of battleships from four to two.
This brought on an extended debate. In its
course, Mr.. Tillman, S. G., spoke in his
usual breezy way on "Armor Robbers" A
final vote on the item Of battleships will be
taken at o'clock tomorrow.
A contest for the right of way arose as
soon as the senate met. Mr.. Vest Oem.,
MOI who, In the absence Of Mr.. Frye, was
in charge of the river and harbor bill,
sought to have the presidents veto of that
measure taken up. This vas opposed by Mr..
Pettigrew Rep., S. d. In charge of the
Indian appropriation bill conference report.
Mr.. Vest urged that 1t was imperative that
the question. be settled so that IL the veto
er any, other river and harbor bill was 10
be framed. The bill and veto were taken up,
yeas 3s, nays 10. The negative vote was:
Democrats, Bate. Chiffon. Harris, Palmer,
Villas, S; Republicans, Brown. Morrill,, Pet
tigrew, Pritchard, Teller, 5. Total, 10.
After Mr.. Vest, Mr. Sherman and Mr..
Smith Dem., N. j. had spoken, Mr.. Villas,
Of Wisconsin, took the floor. He said the
bill contained important appropriations for
his state, but he could not bring himself to
the conviction that this great burden should
be added. to the distressed shoulders of the
people. He regarded the criticisms Of the
veto by Mr.. Vest as excessively minute and
inconsequential. The appropriations of this
congress would exceed $500 100000 before
reaching the river and harbor bill. Con-
gress had come to dealing with vast sums
as lightly as would an oriental prince who
had comprehension Of values. The ap-
preparations Of the present congress would
outstrip those Of the congress which be-
came famous as the "billion dollar con-
gress.'' Where was the money coming
from, asked Mr.. Villas, was 1t coming from
more taxation and more bonds?
"of course the secretary OF the treasury
will have to stop paying. when he has no
more money to pay with, exelaineds Mr.,
Villas, .but is it the desire Of this congress
to drive the treasury into bankruptcy?'
The senator from Ohio (Sherman), continued
Mr. Villas, appealed for moro revenue as
though raising revenue was some legislative
trick. Instead of that, more revenue meant
more taxation, sucked with the tremendous
force Of law from labor. Because OF this
recklesspess Of expenditure he would vote
to sustain the veto.
Mr.. Pettigrew Rep., $. d., In expressing
the belief that the time had come for con-
1fv,,ff fbo
made a, violent attack on the president. The
present occupant of the White house," said
Mr. Pettigrew, ..is not content with the VIOLA
ton of the constitution by the exercise OF the
veto power alone; but with an utter disregard
of his sacred oath Of Office as well as the con-
stitution, he overrides the laws, influences
congressman with patronage, enriches his
favorites at the public expense[n fact, per-
mits no restraint but his imperial will. He
has refused to enforce TIE laws OF congress
SO often that the list of violations is next
only to the list of yetoes. He has sold bonds
at private sale to his favorites and former
associates upon terms and at price many
millions of dollars below the market price
of the bonds on the dayqof such private sale.
In view of these facts 1t is time for congress
to give some attention to these usurpations.
If this government is to survive we can no
longer look with indifference upon the shame
full autocracyi sofs Grover Cleveland
After Mr. Bate, Mr. Stewart and Mr.. Hill
had spoken, the vote was taken, and the bill
was passed by vote of SO to 8. Those who
voted in the negative were: Bate, Chiffon,
Hill, Smith, Villas.
The partial report on the naval appropria-
tion BILL covering all the questions except the
item of battle ships and the price of arnlor
plate, was agreed to, and on the question of
a further conference, Mr.. Chandler took the
floor. He urged that it made little difference
whether four battleships were ordered now
or two now and two next year. Mr.. Chandler
referred to some criticism made of Mr.. Hills
course in advocating the freedom of Cuba,
and yet voting to reduce the number Of bat
tleships. sa sss
If those ships can be used for the inde-
pendence of Cuba, y interrupted Mr.. Mills, 81
will vote for four, five or six of them.''
An extended debate as to the cost of ar
NOR plate was participated in by Senators
Quay, Bacon, Chandler and Tillman. Mr..
Tillman spoke in his usual breezy style. He
said he did not object to the law providing
that all armor must be Of American make, but
he objected to having the american concerns
rob the government. He wanted to see wheth-
er these companies could take the government
and congress by the throat The vote on
receding from the senate amendment limit
ing the price Of armor would show the power
of these armor robbers. He declared that the
investigation Of armor frauds two years ago
was shifted into the senate in order to kill 1t.
Have we attorneys here?" asked Mr.. Till
man, looking around the senate. Have we
a lobby here? Have we senator's interested in
seeing these contracts given out? I only ask
these questions; l do mt know
A vote on Mr.. Quays motion was not
reached, but an agreement was made to vote
tomorrow, and the senate adjourned
CLEARING THE DECKS.