The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-26

charge of the chairman OF the
committee on such committee, VINO
reported them TO the House. III
this case. however. they had been re-
ferred TO non-exsting committees ana
could not be- reported from any CONNIE
tee. Fortunately the chalrmcn OF the
committees who had reported them IA
the last Congress were AL reelected. Inc
Speaker sst aciousiy placed the bills 10
their charge. Nobody objected. 1hey
parceled out the limited time for de-
bate and plotted them between the shoals
of legislation.
The new members locked dazed. T.
was swift legislation for them. The sew
enty-twO millions whizzcd by them be-
fore they We're aware OF what was going
on. and how 10 was going on. OF course
the minority made great cutlery. but u
Was like the cry OF man swept over
board I'm a sale
The reader should understand that
there was no vital necessity Tor thc inn
mcdiitc passage Of these bills. They
were not appropriations for the present
fiscal year but for the year beginning
July /. lN7 With this fact In view.
the delay in the senate can be readily
understood
More than this it is worthy OF note
that the thirty days within which the
committee on rules WIS 90 report set OF
rules expired long ago. and no rules have
yet come from that committee. The re-
prosentatiyc5 are still acting under the
rules OF the last House.
Tho House passed the sundry civil and
and general deficiency bin ON March -.
and the AGRICULTURAL and Inlian appro-
pii1ton bills on March GOTH 10 inform
cd the Senate OF its action on March -.
and the bills were promptly referred %
the Senate committee ON appropriations.
ON March -itu chat committee reported
Tho agricultural bin without amendment.
The biz rested on the Senate calendar
until April 2lth, and was then passed
without debate. 10 was the smallest of
the four appropriation bills. The Presi-
dont promptly signed it
The Indian appropriation bin was re-
ported back 20 the Senate ON Anril 9Th
IL was taken up ON April 18th. and dis
cussed nc odd moments until April 18th.
when DC was amended and passed IL was
sent back 10 the House with the amend
ments ON April 2lst or course. there
was no committee 90 take charge OF 10.
IL was, however. promptly lariated VIII
Dam \. stone OF Pennsylvania. on the
same day placed in the tile clerks basket
"a resolution making the appropriation
dis passed by the Senate and returned
Co the House PRIVILEGED. 500 as 90 Doe con-
sidercd without reference 90 committee
The hle clerk naturally referred this
resolution % the Committee on Rules
ON April 2-d that committee reported
special resolution. providing for the con-
siderat0n of the Indian appropriation
bin without reference 20 a standing com
mittee Immediately after the ADDITION of
its Special resolution. This resolution
was carried. and after discussion. last
ing two days. the bin was sent 20
Conference Committee. which the Speak
or appointed.
The sundry civil BIN. which passed tho
House on March 10Th. was reported back
% the Senate ~ April 9Th. II remained
ON the calendar until May 4. when b. was
taken up and passed d day or two after
ward AS amended hy the Committee
ON Appropriations.
The general deficiency bin. which pass
cd the House on March 18Th. and reach-
Cd tle Senate on March 22d. Is buried in
the Senate Committee 40 the present
writing
These dry facts are instructive. IL not
entertaining. They clearly portray the
attitude ~ both houses one has driven
the appropriation bills through no light
ming speed without any consideration
in committee the other has taken its
time under the usual course Of procedure.
and considered the bills with the gravity
of ana ecumonical council AZ the same
time 81 has passed bankruptcy and 7en-
sion measures. ana is continuously work
ing n the field % legislation without re-
gard % the action OF the House. which
shut down after the passage OF the tariff
bin. AMOS j. CUMMINGS.