The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-18
SATURDAY. FEB. l3.

SATURDAY, FEB. Id.
In the Senate, the Arbitration Treaty was
considered. Discussion was precipitated by
the presentation of an amendment by Senator
Turpe. of Indiana. to the first article OF the
treaty. providing that all questions to be sub
mitted to arbitration must be considered and
proposed by the treaty. making power-the
President and the Senate. This was the amend
ment referred to by Senator Sherman, and
which he said the Committee OIL Foreign Re-
lations would propose. While it was not
presen ted as a committee amendment. it had
the sanction of the majority of the members
of that committee.
Nearly all of the Senators who talked had
something to say about the difficulty OF giving
the treaty the consideration its Importance de-
manded at this session, and were of the opinion
that il would be better to have it 60 over until
the next session.
Mr.. sherman discussed the treaty for few
moments. answering some of the objections
made. and talking generally of the advantage
of the general principle of arbitration. Sena-
tor Hill raised the point of no quorum, and, as
many Senators had left the hall. quorum
failed to appear, and the Senate adjourned.
In the House, the Sundry Civil bill was con-
sidered. Ex-Chairman Sayers attacked the
record of this Congress in the matter of ex-
traYagaut expenditures The appropriations
unprecedented sum of S1.045, 100000. He as
serted that it would not be in the power of the
Republicans of the next Congress to pass a
tariff bill that would raise revenue enough to
meet expenditures unless the majority in the
next Congress reversed its policy aud adopted
the old Democratic doctrine of economical ex-
penditure of the peoples money.
In the face of this showing of the vast and
rapid increase of appropriations Mr. Sayers
appealed to members irrespective of party, to
take home the necessity of retrenchment.
Mr. Dockery who followed Mr. Sayers, said
that, in his opinion. the expenditures of this
Congress would reach $I.050 100000. But he
said he desired to acguit the Honorable
Speaker of the House Of any responsibility
He commended Speaker Reed for his heroic
attitude" against this "riotous assault on the
Treasury"
Mr. Catchings. formerly Chairman of the
River and Harbor Committee, entered into an
elaborate defense OF the policy of the river and
harbor improvements. He was followed by
Mr.. Hepburn. who denounced the last River
and Harbor Bill not because of the appropria-
tions for great National projects, but because
he said the bill was made the vehicle of ruth.
less and reckless expenditures in Insignificant
improvements"
When the merits OF the Mckinley law as
revenue e. producing measure were brought into
the debate, Mr.. Hopkin of Illinois. contended
that it produced ample revenue, while Mr.. Nc
MILAN maintained that for the four years of
its operation the deficiency was $50, 600 600.
he defended the Wilson law.
Mr.. Grosvenor proceeded to ridicule the pres
ent thrift law, and said no party would have the
hardihood TO return again TO the ad val0rem
system and the faulty schedules Of the Wilson
law. He described The Democrats in the last
campaign as seeking to avoid responsibility for
that law by getting behind new issue.
Ia Arr. - 81.
of the Wilson law. also criticised the Supreme
Courts decision, which he, as lawyer, declared
was not above just criticism. He said no one
imagined when the law was passed that the in
come tax would be declared unconstitutional.
Senator Hill, your great Democratic lead
err" interrupted Mr.. Hopkins. warned you
| that il was unconstitutional"
That statement is false" replied Mr.. De
Almond. Mr.. Hill was not a great Demo.
cratic leader. He is not now a Democratic
leader at all. great or small"
MONDAY, FEB. IA.
! In the Senate, Mr. Morgan's resolution for
| the abrogaton of the Clayton. Bulwer Treaty
came up There were objections from several
sources. There was sharp sparrng for prece.
dence until Mr.. Sherman Republican, of Ohio)
interposed point of order against Mr.. Morgan,
on the ground that his resolution being of q
joint character, could not be considered in the
morning hour. 81 appeal from the decision OF
the Chair" said Mr.. Morgan calmly, land ]
will debate that question of appeal" As Mr..
Morgan was about to proceed, Mr.. Sherman
again interposed. saying that an appeal from
the decision of the Chair WAS not debatable.
After further wrangling, being withdrawn,
| a vote was taken on Mr.. Morgan's resolution to
proceed with the Clayton Bulwer resolution.
Unexpectedly, Mr.. Morgan carried his motion
as against the opposition, which was under
stood to be favorable to going into Executive
session on the Arbitration Treaty.
On the announcement of the vote Mr.. Nor.
gan arose and was about TO begin, when Mr.
| Hoar interrupted with the point that this waf
a matter properly before an Executive session
Under the rules a suggestion of this character
compelled the Senate to 60 into Executive
! session.
The early part of the Executive session wal
occupied by Senator Morgan, who talked il
support OF the resolution to Rbrogate the Clay
ton Bulwer Treaty. There is little prospect o.
vote on this resolution at this session.
In the House, the Sundry Civil bill was con
! sidered and passed.