The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-07

up, the pending question being on Petit
crews amendment in reference to sus-
pending the order of President Cleve-
land creating extensive forestry re-
serves. The Presidents order was Sc
verely criticised by Senators from the
States affected, including Messrs. Petit
grew, Wilson and Carter.
Wilson characterized Mr.. Cleveland's
proclamation as " a dastardly blunder,"
5000, 900 acres having been taken out of
his State, so that no man could cut
stick of timber without being denounced
as a thief. The people affected by these
orders were not to be restrained, he said,
by scientific gentlemen 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.
Allison, in charge of the bill, said he
favored some relief from Mr.. Cleveland's
order of February last. He stated that
President Mckinley and his Cabinet
We're considering the subject, with
view to righting the wrong. But the
amendment went too far, not only au-
thorizing the President to vacate the
order, but declaring by Act of Congress
that the order was abrogated.
Wilson declared that if this order had
applied to Allison's State, the people
there would have risen in rebellion.
White Cd of California characterized
the orders of February last as oppress-
i've and ridiculous in the extreme He
said it disclosed a dense ignorance of
the situation on the part of those in
spring the order.
Pettigrew insisted that Congress
would revoke it.
Turner Pop) of Washington said that
for three months appeals had been made
to the Executive authorities, but as yet
no relief had come. The Senators from
the States affected were not to be made
to kick their shins" in the corridors of
the executive branch of the Govern
ment. 1t was for the legislative branch
to correct this wrong.
Gray CD of Delaware stated that
President Cleveand's action was the re-
suit of an investigation started by Con-
gress and intrusted to the National AS
sociation of Science. Acting on recon-
mendatiOns of that scientific body, the
President had issued his proclamation,
defining the extent of the forest re-
serves. This was stated, he added, in
explanation and justification of the
Presidents course, which had been sub
jected to criticism.
Clark Of Wyoming said the West was
deeply concerned in the preservation of
the forests and streams, but what they
protested against was the absolute ig-
nOrance inspiring this order for the
i
Cleveland's order he said, had struck
the greatest blow to forest reservations
that it had ever received. 1t had ar
rayed the people of the West against
the entire policy of forest reserves.
Rawlins of Utah declared that
Cleveland's order was as gross an out
rage as that of William the Conqueror
in setting aside his hunting reserve"
The Senator asserted that Congress
should Immediately set aside this ipsi
diXit
When Mr.. German referred to SIM
liar revocation in the last sundry civil
bill, which had been abandoned in con-
ference, Mr.. Pettigrew declared that
the President had threatened to veto
the civil sundry bill if that item was re-
tanned. Yielding to the Presidents
threat, the provision had been aban-
doned. And a President that would
make such a threat" exclaimed Mr..
Pettigrew, is a disgrace to civiliza-
ton and a disgrace to the republic"
The presiding officer sounded the
gavel sharply and Gray interrupted
with the question: ION what authority
does the Senator assert that the Presi-
dent made SlJch q threat 2''
1T was SO stated in committee" Pet
tigrew answered. 1t was also we'll
known, he said, that during the last
four years the President menaced Con-
gress by threats.
Gray remarked that when the Sena-
tor had been challenged for his author
ity he had repeated the gossip of the
Senate chamber and had assumed this
to be threat by the President.
German made point Of order against
the amendment on the ground that it
was general legislation.
Allison moved to strike from the bill
the provision suspending the Presi
dents order Of February 22d. The mo-
ton was defeated-14 to b.
On the announcement of the vote AL
lison withdrew all objection and re-
marked that il had become evident that
a majority of the Senate was in favor
of this legislation, and was not even
willing to trust the President and Sec
rotary of the Interior to revoke the or
der.
The presiding officer submitted to the
Senate Germans point of order against
the entire amendment. and it was held
to be in Order-25 to %
This left the amendment in order, and
it was agreed to without division.
The amendment provides that to re-
move any doubt which may exist per-
tanning TO the authority of the Presi-
dent thereto, the President of the
United States is hereby authorized and
empowered to revoke. modify or sus-
pend any and all such executive orders
and proclamati0ns designating forest
reserves or any part thereof from time
to time. as he shall deem best for the
public interest; provided. that the Ex-
ecutive orders and proclamatiOns dated
February -. 1897, setting apart and
reserving certain lands in Wyoming,
Utah, Montana, Washington, Idaho and
South Dakota as forest reservations be
and they are hereby suspended, and the
lands embraced therein restored to the
public domain. the same as if the said
orders and proclamations had not been
issued. provided further, that lands en-
braced in such reservations not other
wise disposed of shall. when the sur
veys Of such reservation are completed,
be subjected TO such order as the Pres
ident may make in reference to the
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