Evening journal., 1897-01-13
rnlIllcal snnrrIpr 10 ths senate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l3-Some lively pO-
litical sparring marked the later hours of
the senate session. The free homestead bill
was under discussion, and Mr. Allen (Pop.)
of Nebraska found in it opportunity for
questioning Mr.. y ilas dem of Wiscon-
sin concerning the party differences of last
fall Ii brought out much difference Of
opinion as to whether the Democratic plat
form was made at Chicago or at Indian
apolis Mr. Villas declared that there was
almost nothing i'm the Chicago platform
not inimical to the interests of the govern
ment He insisted that the indianapolis
platform was founded throughout in De
mocracy Mr. Allen characterized the In
dianapolis platform as a 'rump affair. -
The controversy became very lively and
took a wide range.
The homestead bill was further debated,
but "a vote was not reached. Mr. Villas at
iacSed it as a measure giving away $50,
300, 600 Of government money. Mr.. Nelson
Rep Of Minnesota, Mr.. Allen and Mr.
PETER pop Of Kansas spoke for the bill
Mr. Hin Dem OF New York, who ha.
not often addressed the senate Of late spoke
in favor Of law fixing four years as the
term of fourth class pcstlnasters. The fol
lowing are the principal provisions of Mr..
Hills proposed law:
THAT the term Of Office of all postmas-
ters hereafter appointed shall be four years
that in case of a vacancy it shall be filled
by appointment for the remaining unex
pired term that the term Of Office Of q
postmaster shall be deemed to commence
from the date Of his assumption of the du
ties of his office; that the terms Of all post
masters now in Office shall be four years
and such terms shall be deemed to have
commenced from the date of the assump
ton of the duties of Office by the occupant
provided, however, that where the present
occupant shall have been appointed to fl
vacancy he shall hold Office only for tn,
remainder Of the unexpired term of foul
years. provided he was appointed from thu
same political party to which such prede
cessor belonged or is a member Of the fam
lily of such predecessor. "
Sensational Incident In the House.
The house witnessed "a sensational Sc
| quel to the remarkable attack made b,
! Mr.. Johnson of California on Editor vii
| liam f. Hearst.
Mr. johnson and Mr. Mcguire OF Cali
/ fornia were the antagonists. Their word.
| duel grew ont of the publication in Tn
| Record as a part of Mr. Maguire's remark
| Of comments on the former speech of las
week in which he defended Mr.. Hearst
and without the mention of Mr.. johnson
name detailed some matters i'm the earl
| life of the latter when nc resided in Syra
/ cusa. Mr johnson got the floor on ques
| ton of privilege He was at times dra
| matte. He denounced Mr.. Mcguire attac
on him as wanton and cowardly and toll
the story of his Indictment "a years ago Il
New York for forgery and how he ha
| gone out to California TO rear new hOm
and make new name. He described hi
| success and how he had been able to pa
back every dollar he owed. He then eS
planned that all this was an old story Il
! California, where he had always avowc
it when he ran for Office. Then, with bit
ter invective. he paid his respects TO MI
Mcguire and Mr. Cooper of Wisconsin
| who last week characterized his attack o
Mr. Hearst as cowardly.
Mr. Mcguire replied to Mr.. Johnson i
q sarcastic vein. He told how he had al
tempted to secure time in which TO repl
TO Mr.. johnson during the debate and ha
been unable to do 50, and now he ha
printed his defense as a man unable to 81
cure a hearing for himself. He snecred q
Mr.. johnson for whining because his n
tack went home to him and said he shodl
have thought of the grief and anguish D
was bringing 10 another before he assaile
Mr.. Hearst Mr.. Poole of New York, wl
represents the Syracuse district, made
brief statement i'm vindication of Mr.. JOIN
son. His motion 70 expunge Mr.. Mcguire
remarks from The Record was adOpte,
MIR. McMillin had Intellectually attempte
TO delay action, but a similar motion
expungc Mr.. johnson 5 remarks about Nj
Hearst was defeated by vote OF 81 to 8
This incident Overshadowcd interest in q
house proceedings. Speaker Reed al
nounced the committee appointments mac
vacant by the death of ex-Speaker Girls
which had caused so much speculation
Mr.. Bailey of Texas was appointed TO q
vacancy in the subcommittee and NJ
Boatner of Louisiana to that on ways an
means.
The speaker sustained the point of ord
against the motion made at the previol
session to rccommit the Pacific fundiI
bill, which effectually killed the measur
{ Weather Forecast.
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N A.. 4. - II