The Portland daily press., 1898-01-13
Latter x, plies in Kind-Prop ositfon to
Mako Bullion Owners Pay for Tran
sportation of Gold From Assay Offces
to Mint Causes Debate.

of 1873 to "a sustained the appropriation.
There was also lively debate over the
provisions in the bill requiring the own
ers of bullion hereafter to pay the, cost
of transporting bullion from assay Off ce
| to the mints. The western members and
the free silver advocates generally took
the position that this change of policy on
the part Of the government would dis
courage the production of gold, appreciate
its value and might result in driving the
gold to foreign mints. The Republicans
would have any such effect and said
that it meant simply the repeal Of a
bounty granted to miners since 1879. The
motion to strike out the ,proviso was de-
| feated, 10 to 1885,
Washingt on, January 12.-The civil SCR
vice debate having been concluded yester-
day in the House, proceedings was visi-
BILE decreased today. The galleries were
almost deserted and the attendance on
the tioorswas3 very light. Mr.. Cannon,
chairman of the appropriation commit
tee. called up the urgent proficiency bill.
The1. bill was considered in theiHouse
as in the committee of the3whole. Mr.
Bell, Populist of Colorado. raised the
point of order that the provision attached
to an appropriation of $4,000 for the
transportation of bullion between the
assay offices and the mints was new leg
islation. This provision required the de-
positor of gold at the. assay offices to pay
the cost of the transportation hereafter
| The Speaker Informed Mr.. Bell that
points Of order had not been reserved
against this bill, whereapon MIR. Bell
moved to strike out the proviso. He
argued against this proposed change in
the policy of the government and was
supported by Mr. Shafroth, Silver Repub-
| lican of Colorado.
| Mr. Cannon pointed out that IL the
law was continued until an assay office
was established on the Yukon the gov
ernment would have to pay the mint
price for gold in the Klondike and then
pay cost Of and assume all risks incl
dent to transporting it to the San Fran
cisco or Philadelphia mint. This law
was q bounty on gold mining. Why
should it exist?
Mr.. McRae, Democrat Of Arkansas
argued that the gold discoveries in the
Yukon furnished the best reason why
tho existing law should not be discon.
4 ttnued
Mr.. Sayera, Democrat, ofaTexa9, sup
ported the proposed change in the govern
ment policy.
| He wanted the members representing
| the cotton growing districts to reconcile
their opposition to this proviso with their
duty to their constituents. No other
country paid the freight on bullion.
! Mr. Livingstone of Georgia denied that
this proposition in any way affected the
financial issue. He favored 1t.
Mr.. Kelley, Populist of South Dakota,
Mr.. Dockery, Democrat of Missouri, and
Mr.. Bland, Democrat of Missouri, op-
posed the proviso.
| After someI remarks by Messrs. Simp'
son, Populist OF Kansas, and Underwood,
| Democrat of Alabama, against the pro-
viso, Mr.. BelI's motion to strike out the
proyiso was defeated, SO to 60, on a ris-
| ing vote. The yeas and nays were de-
manded. The vote resulted, yeas, ll0;
nays, 125, and Mr.. Bells motion was
| lost.
Mr.. Dearmond. Democrat Of Missouri,
| moved to strike out the paragraph appro
| priating $100, 600 for construction OF par
racks at the Soldiers home at Danv1lle
His, and limiting tie total cost at S2o, :
| O0O He said that this was chapter 8 IN
| the history of this home to be established
| at the home Of the chairman of the COM
mittee on appropriations. He called AZ
tention to the fact that when the sundry
bill was passed at the last session carry
| ing 500, 900 for the establishment of the
| Danville home it was then stated that
was all the money which would be asked
| for.
Mr.. Dearmond was exceedingly caustic
in his criticism of Mr.. Cannon, who, ne
said, after using his power on the appro,
priation committee to get the soldiers
home located at his home, was now try
ing to take half million more out OF tne
treasury.
Mr. Cannon in his reply was as sar-
castle at his adversary. 1t was easy TO
scold, he said. How pralseworthy that prac-
tice was, was another question. In the
old days common scolds were ducked az ene
town pump. This was the third tl1ne
Mr.seDeAr1nond had attacked him. lie
explained that in the last Congress Ine
committee on military affairs had ultl-
mately reported in favor Of establishing
a new home at Dsnville. There WAS :
great necessity for it. as IS, 900 soIolers
We're sleeping in corridors, cellars .allu .l
attics. The appropriation committee a.rer
an investigation had reported the aPplo-
priation contained in tho last sunary
civil bill. Mr.. Cannon asserted 1ne,e
were enough old soldier inmates OF puo; =; T.
houses to fill the new home. Durlng. IN
20 years service on the approprla'i;u,A =,
committee. this was the only time any ~
timation had ever been made tnau no
had personal interest in any appropiia
tion.
Mr. DeArmond said "Tbe nome a'
Danyille, located by virtue Of the eenS.e-
mans position as chairman of the app,u'
priations committee and by tno
preston of debate In this House. ""''