The herald., 1897-05-07


needed law or no law, land what are
you going TO do about it?" he asked.
Allison, in charge of the bill, said he
favored some relief from Cleveland's
order of February last. He stated that
President Mckinley and his cabinet
were considering the subject with a view
to righting the wrong. But the amend
ment went too far. not only authorizing
the president to vacate the order, but
declaring by act of congress that the act
was abrogated.
Wilson declared that if this order had
would have risen in rebellion.
White of California, Democrat, char
acterized the order of February last ae
oppressive and ridiculous in the extreme
He said it disclosed dense ignorance of
the situation on tine part of those in
spring the order.
woke it.
Turner of Washington, Populist, 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 corri-
ernment. 1t was for the legislative
branch to correct this wrong.
Gray of Delaware, Democrat, stated
that President Clevelands action was
the result of an investigation started by
congress and intrusted to the National
Association of Science. Acting on the
recommendation of that scientific body
the president had issued his proclama-
6n6 int fho 49, l.
serves. This was stated, he added, in
explanation and justification of the pres
ident's course, which had been subjected
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 ignor-
ance inspiring this order for the preser-
walton of forests. President Cleveland's
order he said. had struck the greatest
blow to forest reservations that it had
ever received. 1t had arrayed the peo-
pie of the west against the entire policy
of forest reserves.
Rawlins of Utah declared that Cleve-
lands order was as gross an outrage
as that Of William the Conqueror in set
ting aside his hunting reserve" The
senator asserted that congress should
Immediately set aside this ipse dixit.
When German referred to a similar
revocation in the last sundry civil bill.
which had been abandoned in confer
ence, Mr.. Pettigrew declared that the
president had threatened to veto the
civil sundry bill if that item was retain
ed Yielding to the presidents threat
the provision had been abandoned.
"And a president who would make
ouch a threat" exclaimed Pettigrew, sis
disgrace to civilization and disgrace
to the republic"
The presiding officer sounded the
gavel sharply and Gray interrupted with
the question: "On what authority does
the senator assert that the president
made such a threat?"
"It was so stated in committee" Pet
tigrew answered. 1t was we'll known,
also, he said, that during the last four
years the president menaced congress
by threats.
Gray remarked that when the senator
had been challenged for his authority
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 presidents
order of February 22d. The motion was
defeated, IA to 80.
On the announcement Of the vote AL
lison withdrew all objection and re-
marked that it had become evident that
majority Of the senate was in favor of
this legislation and was not even will
ing to trust the president and secretary
of the interior to revoke the order.
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 remove
any doubt which may exist pertaining
to the authority of the president thereto
the president of the United States is
hereby authorized and empowered to re-
woke, modify or suspend any and all
such executive orders and proclama-
tion designating forest reserves or any
part thereof from time to time as he
shall deem best for the public interest
provided that the executive orders
and procamations dated February %,
1897, setting apart and reservihg certain
lands in Wyoming, Utah, Montana.
Washington, Idaho and South Dakota
as forest reservations be and they are
hereby suspended and the lands en-
braced therein restored to the public do
main the same as if the said orders and
proclamations had not been Issued.
Provided, further, that lands en-
braced in such reservation not other
wise disposed of, shall, when the sur
veys of such reservations are complet-
ed, be subject to such order as the pres
ident may make in reference to the
same, so as not to disturb the right of
any actual settler or claimant now re-
siding upon any of the lands embraced
in such reservations"
| The amendment further appropri-
ates $500 for surveying these forest
reserves and establishes general plan
for administering such reserves, pro-
lection against fire, sale of dead timber,
etc.
Mr.. Berry offered an amendment au-
thorizing contracts for the improve
ment of the Mississippi river in advance
of appropriations by congress to the
cmount Of 2,5S300o for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1898, and Of a like sum
for the following year.
The amendment is in execution Of the