Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-07
FOREST RESERVES
Wiped Out by the Action of the
United States Senate.
CLEVELAND's ORDER Is REVOKED

And His Action HarshIy characterized by
Western Senators, One of Whom Says
His Constituents Will Have the Timber
Law or No Law, and Asks Uncle Sam
What He Is Going to Do About It
HOnse Proceedings.
Washington, May THE senate
yesterday agreed to an amendment to
the sundry civil bill revoking the order
of President Cleveland, made on Feb. %
last, establishing forest reservations ag-
gregating 100000 acres. The debate
brought out much criticism Of Cleveland
order. Pettigrew. Wilson, Turner, Raw
Inns and White speaking against it.
Gray defended the course of the presi-
dent, pointing out that it was the result
of an inquiry authorized by congress
and conducted by the National Academy
of Science. Allison endeavcred to have
the amendment restricted SO as to leave
the question of revocation to the presi-
dent, but he was defeated on a yea and
nay vote-14 to 80. German made a
point of order against the amendment,
but this. being submitted to the senate.
/
was then agreed to without division.
Sundry Civil Bill Passed.
Another amendment agreed toprovides
for continuance of the Investigation
OF the condition of the fur seals in Behr-
ing sea. The sundry civil bill was
Passed late in the day. 1t carries an ag-
gregate of s53,000,000. During the day
Bacon of Georgia introduced a joint res
olution deprecating war and announcing
the policy of the government in favor of
arbitration. The resolution was referred
TO the committee on foreign relations
This resolution was in lieu of the arbi-
tration treaty. A resolution by Lodge
was agreed to requesting the president
for all the information relative to out
RACES on Italians in Louisiana, for which
compensation had been suggested by
the executive.
OF Course There'H Be No Delay.
jones of Arkansas, Democratic mem
Der of the finance committee called at
tention to the fact that the comparative
statement as to the tariff bill had not vet
appeared. 1t was most dssira BILE he said,
If the bill was to be taken up on the 18th
inst that this statement be in hand very
soon. Allison, Republican member of
the finance committee. said the statement
would be very comprehensive and would
be ready probably next Saturday. There
Is no intention so far as | know said
Jones, Ito delay the consideration of this
bill All we ask is that reasonable time
be given for a proper consideration CT
the bill"
Will Have the Timber, Regardless.
When the forest reserve matter was
up Wilson of Washington characterized
Clevelands proclamation as a bastard
ly blunder." Eight million acres had
been taken out of his state SO that no
man could cut stick of timber without
being denounced as thief. The people
ahected by these orders We're not to be
restrained, he said, by scientific gentle
men from Harvard college" They were
going to have the timber which they
needed, law or no law And what are
you going to do about it?" he asked.
Pettigrew's Charge Against Cleveland.
When German referred to a similar re-
vocation in the last sundry civil bill which
had been abandoned. Pettigrew declared
that President Cleveland had threatened
10 veto the entire sundry civil bill if that
Item was retained. Yielding to the
presidents threat the provision had been
abandoned. And a president that would
make such threat" exclaimed Petit
grew, rs disgrace to civilization and
disgrace to the republic" The presid-
ing officer sounded the gavel sharply
and Gray interjected the inquiry "On
what authority does the senator assert
that the president made such threat ?''
1t was so stated in committee" Pet
tigrew answered. Gray remarked that
when the senator had been challenged
fer his authority he nd repeated the COS
sip OF the senate chamber