The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-14
Bill Passed by Senate Appro-
priating $76,0OO,OOO.
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL
Makes a Direct Appropriation
of $12, 100000.
AND CONTRACTS OF ss4, 600, 600
Large Sums TO Be Spent in Cleaning
Out All the Greeks. Branches,
Lagoons and bitches in
the Country.

the Country.
Washington, May 13.-The River and
Harbor Appropriation bill was passed
by the Senate to-day, after an unusual
~ stormy experience lasting many
days.
AS finally passed the bill makes direct
appropriations of $12, ,2oo,O 900, and au-
thorized continuing contracts of $64.-
100000, an aggregate of about $4,000,
600. During the debate to-day the
statement was made that this was the
largest aggregate for a riyerand harbor
bill jim the history of the government,
Mr.. German sought TO secure an
amendment to the bill limiting the
contract expenditures to S10,0O0,O0o
annually, but the amendment was ta-
bled, yeas 40, nays %.
Ir.Frye, chairman Of the Commerce
committee, closed the debate on the bill
by a statement showing the remarka-
BILE development of American COM
merce, and the consequent decrease in
freight rates.
On the final passage of the bill, nine
Senators voted in the negative, as fol-
lows: Bate, Chiffon, Harris, Hill,
Smith and Villas, Democrats; Brown,
Republican; and Allen and Kyle, Pop
ulists.
Before the River and Harbor bill
came up, Mr.. Vest (Dem., Mo-, gave
notice of a minority report on the
filled cheese" bill, by himself, Sena-
tors Walthall, of Mississippi, Harris,
of Tenn, Jones of Ark. and White, of
California.
Proceeding with the River and Har
Dor bill, Mr.. Vest, opposed the German
amendment, declaring that it would
permit the Secretary Of War to mullify
the River and Harbor bill, and to sub
stitute his opinion in Lieu OF that OF
Congress. lie did not believe there
could be partisan IN the Chamber
who would give such autocratic power
to a cabinet officer He had never
known a Secretary OF War to whom he
would extend such vast power. While
he was Democrat, and knew the ex-
penditures would be made by Demo-
cratic officials up to March next, yet
that was not factor to be considered,
as he opposed any such abdicabion
oI power by Congress, and its stand
for one official.
Mr.. German insisted that this was
not an abdication Of power. The Sec
retary OF War hadalways controlled the
amounts Of an appropriation that could
be profitably spent. This was merely
limitation of the power Of the Secre-
tary of War 50 that not more than $lO,-
0OO,0O0 would be spent annually on
contracts. 1t was a needful provision,
said Mr.. German, in view of the fact
that this is the first time in the his
tory Of the government that we have
gone into the wholesale business OF au-
thorizing contracts"
The debate took wide range under
the five minute rule, which had been
agreed on.
Mr. Elkins, REP, w. Va), a former
Secretary of War, asserted that the
amendment was unintelIigible Sena-
tors were placing different construc-
tions on it and the author of the
amendment could not tell what it
meant. Several Senators stated that
the'amendment interfered with various
important local works.
Mr.. Pascoe, (Dem., FIa.), opposed
the amendment on the ground that if
agreed to, there would be no expen-
diture at all under contract as the
direct appropriation would absorb
the ten million a year.
After the German amendment had
been disposed of, Mr.. Allen, Pop,
Neb.), took the floor in opposition to
the bill.
He said he was astonished that Dem
oeratic Senators joined with Republi-
cans in supporting this bill. The vast
amount involved, S74000,00Q would be
expended largely by Republican Sec
retary of War, according to the pre-
sent political outlook. He said it
would doubtless benefit Republican
campaigns and the Senator said he
would understand why Republican
Senators supported it, but not why
Democrats should. Mr.. Allen pointed
out in detail the number of creeks,
mill ponds, lagoons and ditches' in
the bill.
Mr.. Frye vigorously resented Mr..
Aliens remarks. The Nebraska Sem
ator did not know what he was talking
about, declared Mr.. Frye. Some of
these so-called creeks were great ar
-teries of commerce. This was an old
play" on the word creek. 1t was an
antiquated, worn-out play" heard
time and again. Mr.. Frye said he was
sick of hearing Senators rising here
and talking economy, when these same
Senators came before the committee
and demanded increased appropria-
tions.
Mr.. Allen responded that it was al
EggVg n0Egibta fpr ar af.fful mind fn
conjure up a subterfuge of defence
for any injustice.
After some further remarks by Mr..