Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-17
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, May II.
SENATE

AAi' AniOI Cuallludu VI Gu6 mmltlGG
on naval affairs, offered the following
resolution, which was agreed to: "That
the temporary appointments made by
the President on and after April 81, 1898,
and up to the date of the passage OF
this joint resolution, of officers Of the
line and staff of the navy, are hereby
ratified and confirmed to continue in
force during the exigency under which
their services are required in the exist
ing war. Provided, that the officers SO
appointed shall be assigned to duty
with rank and pay of the grades estab-
lished by existing law and shall be paid
from the appropriation pay of the
navy"
A bill was reported from the military
affairs committee by Mr.. Carter pro.
viding that the pay and allowance Of
the volunteers enlisted in the United
States army shall begin on the day of
their enlistment at the State camps,
with q proviso that volunteer troops
sent to the Philippines may draw one
months pay in advance. 1t was ex
planned that the bill applied only to
those who had as volunteers entered
the q. 8. army. The bill was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Allison considera-
ton of the war revenue measure was
resumed, Mr.. Jones, taking the floor.
Mr.. Jones said that he doubted
whether there was man in the Senate
who was not ready to vote all the
money and taxes necessary to carry on
the present war. He would not per-
form his duty, he thought, ifhe should
vote for too much money. The prob
lem now presented was how much
money is needed.
Mr.. Jones called attention to the
statement of Secretary of the Treasury
Gage that the additional expenses of
the war, over and above the current ex
penses of the government, would be
about $25 100000 month, a total of
perhaps $500, 900, 900 year. Secretary
Alger had informed the finance COM
mittee that the extraordinary war ex-
psnses of his department would be
about Sl50,000,000. He thought this
amount sufficiently liberal. Secretary
Long had presented to the committee
carefully prepared statement show
ing that the war expenses Of his de.
partment would be about S75,0O0,000.
Allowing S15, 100000 for extra expenses
the full amount need by the estimates
OF cabinet officers, was, according to
his figures 10 the neighborhood OF
$4,000 1000. This amount was, of
course, in addition to the ordinary ex-
penses of the government.
Mr.. Jones declared that every fea-
ture of the bill was tax on consump-
ton. The stamp tax was one CT the
most onerous and vexatious forms
of taxation ever devised. The tax
upon beer was tax on consumption.
Ia response to an inquiry from Mr..
Aldrich, Mr.. Jones said that he did not
believe any man could determine def
nitely how aud upon whom the beer
tax would fall. "We on this side"
said he, "believe, however, that the
taxes levied ought to rest upon proper
ty while the bill pending Increases the
taxes on consumption.
Ia answer to an inquiry by Mr.. AL
drich MIR. Jones said II am willing to
fix the amount that ought to be pro.
duced by the pending bill at Sl5O,o0O,-
900, but l believe it would be better and
wiser for us to levy even more taxes
rather than increase our interest. bear
ing obligations.
Without reaching any agreement as
to what portion of the bill should be
first considered the Senate proceeded
with the reading of the bill.
At the request of Mr.. Martin the to.
bacco schedules were passed over for
the present without action on the COM
mittee amendments.
HOUSE.
In the House to-day Mr.. Davenport
from elections committee number one,
called up the report in the contested
election case of w. Godfrey Hunter vs.
John S. Rhea, from the third Kentucky
district. The report favored the sitting
member and without discussion was
adopted. The contestant, DR.. Hunter,
is now minister to Guatemala.
Senate bills were passed providing
American registry for the ships Cen
tennial, now atSeattle, and the Catanis,
now at New York, it being the purpose
of the government to charter them for
transport purposes.
Mr.. Corliss called up the House bill
to repeal the law providing that trans
mission of the electoral vote of the
States to Washington shall be by mes
sengers. 1t vas defeated after pro-
longed conversational discussion.
The House then took up its bill to
limit to eight hours each day the work
of laborers, workmen or mechanics EN-.
p'oyed in the service OF the govern
ment or upon public works by contract
or otherwise. 1t was passed without
division.
A bill to authorize the appointment
Of a non-partisan commission to collate
information and to recommend legisla-
ton to mte5 problems presented by
labor, agriculture and capital, waa
passed, af or which the House ad-
jour- ed.
Boy DROWNED IN FoVNTAIN.-Leo
Gilbert Ansley, 5-year old boy, was
drowned last night in the Bartholdi
fountain in the botanical garden, Wash
ington. Leo aud George MCGEE, also
5 years of age, were playing about the
fountain when Leo reached for a toy
boat and fell 10 the fountain and was
drowned. George informed Mrs. Ans.
lev of the accident and Leo was pulled
out. He was taken to the Emergency
Hospital, where an attempt was made
to resuscitate him but it failed.
How to L4ok 5000.