Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-13
DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED.
Animated Debate Over the Soldiers
Home at Danville, Ill.

Animated Debate Over the Soldiers
Home at Danville. Ill.
After The Stars report of the House pro-
ceedings closed yesterday, consideration of
the urgent deficiency appropriation bill
continued.
Mr.. DeArmond (Mo) moved to strike out
the paragraph appropIIating 100000 for the
construction of barracks at the soldiers
home established at Danville. ILL.,, and linn
iting the total cost to s525 600. He said
this was chapter in the history of this
soldiers home to be established at the home
Of the chairman of the committee on ap-
preparations. He called attention to the
fact that when the sundry civil bill was
passed at the last session carrying $50 600
for the establishment of the Danville home
1t was then stated that that was all the
money which would be asked for.
Mr.. DeArmond was exceedingly caustic
In his criticism of Mr.. Cannon, who, lie
said, after sing his power on the appropri-
atoms committee to get that soldiers home
located at his home town, is now trying to
take half a million more out of the treas
ury. He charged that the original appro-
priation of $4,000 would never have been
made except under the pressure of the
then existing circumstances. Alone, he de-
clared. 1t could never have commanded a
majority of the House.
Mr.. Cannon, in mis- reply, was as sar-
castle as his adversary. 1t was easy to
scold, he said. How praiseworthy that
practice was, was another question. In
tie old days common soolds such as the
gentleman from Missouri were ducked at
the town pump.
Mr.. Cannon called attention to the fact
that this was the third time Mr.. De Ar
rGond had attacked him on the score of
this soldiers home. He explained that in
the last Congress the committee on military
affairs had unanimously reported in favor
of establishing new home at Danville.
There was great necessity for it, as 5000
soldiers were sleeping in corridors, cellars
and attics. The appropriation committee,
after an exhaustive investigation on the
merits of the question, had reported the
appropriation contained III the last sundry
civil bill. Mr.. Cannon asserted that there
were enough old soldiers inmates of poor
houses to fill the new home. The personal
side of the attack made by Mr.. De Almond,
he said, was hardly worth reply.
During his twenty years service on the
appropriation committee in charge, as he
bad been, of appropriations covering mil
ions in every part of the country, he said.
this was the only time any intmation had
ever been made that he had a personal in
terest in an appropriation.
THE gentleman must not measure his
corn in my half bushel.' said he, with
emphasis. II am glad that this home is
located at Danville. but any intimation
that this home is not needed comes from
one who speaks without knowledge and
indicates that his desire to scOld has run
away with MS Judgment. (ApplduSe)
Mr. DeArmond pressed Mr.. Cannon to
tell why the appropriation for the home
was to be increased half a million, but Mr..
Cannon said he had made sufficient expla-
nation and was willing to leave the con-
troversy to the House. Thereupon Mr.. De
Almond said he would himself answer the
question.
THE home at Danvlle," said he. 90
Gated by virtue of the gentleman S position
rs chairman of the appropriations COM
mittee and by the suppression of debate
in this House, was, 1 will not say legis-
lativc outrage, but enough of a legislative
performance and acquisition at that time
If $4,000 had been asked at that time
there would have been such sense OF
treasury footing would have left Dan
VILE the beautiful village of the plains,
entirely without 4 soldiers home
Mr. Cannon, he said, assumed that he
needed no defense. He could make no de-
fense asserted Nj. DeArmond. He had
abused his position, which should have
been used for the public good, to help the
people of Danville, who were interested in
town lots And when Sucn things are
not allowed to go uEcommented upon, con-
tinucd Mr. DeArmond, "he terms criticism
scolding. He refers to his record. Does he
regret his lest opportunities? Qaughter)
He appeals to his friends who know MN
to testify to bis singleness of purpose ana
his patriotism, when, by methods he dare
not and cannot defend, re gets soldiers
home located at his home. and now asks
for half million more l am willing TO
be a scold if denouncing such things con-
stitute L scCld.'
Mr. Cannon replied briefly. with a good
deal of feeling. but in good temper. He
asserted that this appropriation was 1usti-
fed from every standpoint or the puplc
service. Il thank God" said he, that 1
haven't the heart to pose here and act the
demagogue This whole attack is made
because perchance happen to live at Dan
VILE l will take my record in this ana
past Congresses and will stand or fall on
it, l will leave the ques ion to the House.
If IL were possible, 1 would leave it to that
side Of the House, and l should not rear
the verdict" (Applauseo
Messrs Henderson Qowa) and w. A.
Stone Pa0 spoke briefly of the testimony
showing the necessity for new soldiers
home in the Mississippi valley and the pro-
priety of locating it at Danville.
Mr. DeArmond's motion was then de-
feated With ut division.
When the item appropriating sOuoo Tor
the repair of dry dock No. 8 at New YORK
was reached, Mr.. Bennett (N.Y.) said 1t mad
been his intention to oppose any further
appropriation for this dock, but ne hau
been assured by the Secretary of the Navy
that thorough investigation would De
made and on this condition he had with
drawn his opposition.
Mr. Cannon also said that the Secretary
of the Navy would order a court-martial
10 probe this scandal. The appropriations
committed he said, recommended Soo.oO
because Naval Constructor BowleS believed
the dock could be completed with that sum.
Without further amendment the bill was
passed.
Mr.. Hit. from the foreign affairs COM
mittee reported the diplomatic and con-
sular appropriation bill, and at 4:45 PIN.
the House adjourned.
NAH. ROVTES.