The herald., 1897-01-13
PROCEEDINGS N
SENATE IND HOUSE
Lots of Talk but Little
Work Done
TIE DEDA1E ON FREE H0NESTEADS
Productive of Nothing but Po,
IiticaI Sparring
JOHNSON OF CALIFORNIA
Objects to Having the Records Pulled
on Him
Whereat Mr.. Mcguire Sueers at Him foS
Whining So
Maguires Remarks Stricken from tho
Record, while Johnson's Talk VIII
Go Down to Posterity, or Into
the Waste Basket
JOHNSON OF CALIFORNIA
Objects to Having the Records Pulled
on Him
Whereat Mr.. Mcguire Sneers at Him fos
Whining So
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-Some lively
| political sparrirg marked the latter
hours of the senate session today. The
free homestead bill was under discus
sion and Mr.. Allen found opportunity
for questioning Mr.. Villas of Wisconsin
concerning the party differences of last
rail- 1t brought out much difference OF
opinion as to whether the Democratic
platform was made at Chicago or at
indianapolis. Mr.. Villas declared that
there was almost nothing in the Chicago
platform not inimical to the interests Of
the government. He insisted that the
indianapolis platform was founded
throughout in Democracy. Mr.. Allen
characterized the Indianapolis platform
as 'rump affair"
The controversy became very lively
and took a wide range
The homestead bill was further de-
dated, but vote was not had. Mr.. Vi
las attacked it as measure giving away
$3o,0o000O of government money.
| Mr.. Nelson of Minnesota, Republican.
Mr.. Allen and Mr.. PETER Of Kansas.
Populst, spoke for the bill
Mr.. Hill of New York, Democrat, who
has not often addressed the senate Of
late, spoke in favor of law fixing four
| years as the term of fourth class post
] masters.
| Mr.. Hill introduced bill making the
terms of postmasters four years, includ-
ing fourth class postmasters as we'll a.s
those who now hold their Office at the
pleasure of the appointing power Mr..
Hill referred to the removal of postmas-
ters when Mr.. Stevenson was first assist
| ant postmast ster general, and also when
MI, Wanamaker was postmaster gen.
eral. new policy had been purs1ed
by the present administra ton. Whether
IL was harmful to the party or not he
would not say, but all postmasters had
oeen allowed to serve out their terms
unless there was cause for removal.
AT present there were $50 nominations
pending before the postoffice committee.
nero up for one cause or another
Mr.. Chandler asked: Since the IA
Gay OF last November have there not been
removals made for political purposes ..
MIR. Hill-Yes. half dozen.
Mr.. Chandler-Have there not been
many more?
mr.. Hill-F'rom the clamor one would
thlhk there had been a thousand
Mr.. Chandler-From the complaints
That come to me, l am informed that
many postmasters have been removed
because they voted for Bryan
Mr.. Hill said his bill provided that
When postmaster had served q few
years ana vacancy occurred, the man
appointed should not only serve out the
unexpired term, and would give a, Re-
publican four years and a Democra tic
successor four years without having
charges trumped up against him
The bill went to the committee ON
postoffices and postroads
Mr.. Proctors resolution relative to ex.
tending the presidential term was taken
up to allow Mr.. Stewart of Nevada, Pop
ulist TO discuss it. He favored the pro-
hibition against reelection, but opposed
the extension of the term to six years.
Instead of lengthening the term it should
be shortened to two years. Mr. Stewart
said, so that the president would be in
closer touch with public sentiment. The
resolution was referred to the COMMITTEES
on privileges and elections.
The free homestead bill was then taken
up. MI Nelson of Minnesota. Repub-
iican, supported the bill as just extern
sion of the government policy of giving
free homesteads to actual settlers. 1t
was as necessary to aid the settlers as
those who enjoyed the benefits of a pro-
tectve tariff and those who were bene-
fitted by river and harbor improvements.
Mr.. Chandler rose to a question Of
privilege and read a communication
from Henry A. Dupont of Delaware.
claiming to have been elected to q seat
in the United States senate on Nav 9.
1895. for term of six years. It recited
the contest over the case in the United
States senate year ago. and urged that
the subject should be reopened by the
senate. The memorial was referred to
the committee on privileges and elec-
tions.
Mr.. Allen criticised senators who op-
posed this bill, although the national
platforms had free homestead planks.
It was sad commen tary on our nation
al conventions, said Mr.. Allen. that
good men got together and enunciated
principles in order to catch voters, but
not with a view to carrying out the prin-
ciples.
Mr.. Villas of Wisconsin. Democrat,
spoke against the bill 1t was strange,
he said, that the bill attracted little at
tentiOu. although it gave away s35, 600, 900
OF government money, according to the
estimates Of government officers. 1t was
q measure intended to- bestow a gift on
the occupants OF Indian lands relieving
them from the payment for the lands
which they agreed to pay the govern
ment
There was a spirited three e-cornered
colloquy when Mr.. Allen sought to ques-
tion Mr.. Villas on the homestead plank
of the Democratic platform. as Mr.. AL
len referred to the platform adopted 1t
Chicago.
IF that platform is the one under