Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-05-15

the senate today, after an UNUSUAL
stormy experience tasting many days
AS finally passed, the bill makes direc
preparations of ST., 100000 and author
ICES continuing contracts of S64 ooO, COO
an aggregate of about $76.ooo,ooo
During the debate today, the statement
was made that this was the largest ag
gregate for a river and harbor bill IN
the history of the government. Mr..
German sought to secure an amend
ment to the bill limiting the contract
expenditures to $Io,ooo,ooo annually,
but the amendment was tabled, yeas, 40
nays, 23.
A number of house bills on the cal
endar were passed during the day, in
Guiding the bill requiring a years resi-
dence in any territory as requisite TO
divorces. The Dupont contest case
comes up by agreement tomorrow.
Washington, May I3.-The river and
harbor bill was taken up as sooR as the
senate convened today the agreement
being that the final vote be taken at 3
p. m.
The pending question was Mr.. Cor
mans amendment directing the secre-
tary of war to so apportion contract
appropriations that not more than ten
millions be expended on contracts in
any one year.
Before proceeding Mr.. Vest, DEM
of. Missouri, gave notice of a minority
report on the filled cheese bill by him
self and Senators Walthall of Mississ-
ippi, Harris of Tennessee, Jones of
Arkansas and White of California.
The bill was passed for the appoint
ment of guardians for pensioners in the
District of Columbia found to be "squan-
dsring" pension money by drinking or
vicious habits"
Proceeding with the river and harbor
bill, Mr.. Vest opposed the German
declaring that it would
permit the secretary of war to nullify
the river and harbor bill and TO substi-
tute bis opinion In lien of that of con-
gress. He did net believe there would |
be any partisan in the chamber who |
would give such autoeratie powers to |
cabinet officer. He had never known a
secretary of war TO whom he would |
extend such vast powers. While he
was democrat and knew the expendi
'ures would be made by democratic Off
;ials up to March 3, yet that was not
actor TO consider as he opposed any
ueh addiction OF power by congress
md Its transfer TO one official.
Mr.. German insisted that there was
10 addiction of power, but merely a
imitation of the power of the secretary
# war so that not more than ten mil
ions would be spent annually. 1t was a
Necessary provision, said Mr.. German,
n view of the fact "that this is the first
ime in the history of the government
hat we have gone into the wholesale
usiness of authorizing contracts
If he were secretary of war, said Mr..
he would apply the rule sug-
lg the government for one dollar of
lese contracts until congress made pro- a
ision for the revenues to meet them
his amendment was merely a caution 5
our executive officer that in view of L
lr condition he must not spend more
ian ten millions year. The senator
ipressed his appreciation of the river
Id harbor bill-the most important of u
lie appropriation bills-but this amend
ent would permit ample expenditures y
it'll proper limitations. =
In reply to suggestion of Mr.. White \
en-, CALI that the secretary of war !.
ID already shown a disposition to re- =
riot river and harbor work, Mr.. Gorman =
ok occasion to express his high per-
nal regard for the present secretary of n
ar, but the senator felt that he could :
IT cSnscientiously give his vote to
easure that would "put it in the power A
one man to spend money that the -,
vernment did not possess"
The debate took wide range under ne
{ fve-minute rule, which had been 60
reed on. F,
The amendment by Mr.. Gray was &C an
pied making the ten million restric- vi
n apply specifically to contracts and In
t to direct appropriations. tn
Mr.. Allison proposed an amendment Wi
ing the limitation on contract expen- nj