The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-10
SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT
The $5O.00O,OOO Bill Is Now a
Law of he Land.
THE SENATE VOTE UNANIMOUS
No Time Taken Up by Debate in the
I-pper Pairs Very Prop
erIy Ignored and tie MeEsur>
Hurried 10 Enactment-Ev Everybody
Heartily APPROVES

IN the midst Of a silence that was i'm
pressive and eloquent the Senate Of the
United States yesterday afternoon passed
the emergency app op-iation measu e Il a.
puts into the hands Of the President fifty
millions Of dollars with which to make
such preparations for the national defense
as his good judgment may dictate.
The bill was passed I'm exactly twelve
minutes with seventy-six votes for and
none against, and every member of the
Senate absent from the chamber put on
record as being in favor of the appro-
priation. There was an absolute unaniTni-
ty OF sentiment and thought Patriotic
fervor healed all factions and presented
10 the careful consideration OF the world
the fact that the House and the Sen
ate Of the United States is a unit when it
comes to measures that pertain 10 the
honor Of the nation and the integrity Of
the Republic.
The enrolling clerk of the House ex-
pected there would be more or less of de-
bate in the Senate. as there had been in
the House. and when the measure passed
the Senate the parchment copy of the bill
was still at the Government Printing Of
flee. Leaders of all parties, however,
realized that ii was not a time for talk
Ing, and that the speeches made in the
House were sufficient 10 notify the world
OF the serious thought of this country on
this grave question. 1t was determined
that no speeches should be made; as a
matter Of fact no one desired TO make
any. for actions in this case spoke louder
than mere words.
So 1t happened that when the bin was
carried over TO the House the parchment
copy was not there for Speaker Reed to
sign. II was hastily sent up from the
Government Printing Office. though, and
a few moments before O'Clock MIR. Reed
announced TO the House, amid applause,
that he had affixed his name. The clerk
Of the House promptly carried il back 10
the Senate for the signature of Vice Pres
ident Hobart. but. unfortunately, the Sen
ate had adjourned.
Signed by the President.
Vice President Hobart however was
equal 10 the occasion. There are prece-
dents for the action he then took. Tn
der the unwritten law OF Congress all
billS must De signed DA the preSsQlnS o.
ficers Of the respective houses and laid
before the body IN open session. Infre-
quently in emergency cases bills have
been signed in chambers, and the an
nouncement was made, by way of piece
Of parliamentary fiction, in open session
The next day That was what Mr.. Ho-
bart did Yesterday afternoon, and by 3
O'Clock the bill had been compared and
was on its way 10 the White House,
where IL promptly received the approving
signature Of the President and became
the law OF the land.
Long before the hour for opening the
galleries Of the Senate there was an ex-
pectant throng Of people awaiting an OPP
portUnity TO get into the galleries. There
were many ladies present. and in the di-
plOmauc gallery were Representatives Of
the various legations. The intense but
subdued excitement over the prospect of
war was manifest everywhere. That the
people were interested, and intensely so.
in the events Of the day was apparent
from the conduct of the early occupants
OF the Senate galleries.
Instead Of the usual hum OF voices there
was silence thar was only broken by the
rustling Of newspapers IT is against The
rules 10 read newspapers in the Senate
galleries. but yesterday almost every 9th
Ct man had newspaper in his hand and
was eagerly reading the news from Ha-
Nana and Madrid and the reports Of the
active work being done in strengthening
the national defenses. On the door every
senator was in his seat and several of
th- leading members Of The House were
ID hand 10 witness the vote
il was exactly fifteen minutes after L
O'Clock when ar Hale arose in his place
and reported House Bin So27. without
amendment. IL was sent 10 the clerk 5
desk and read IN that sing-song tone that
characteTizes the reading Of public docu-
ments IN both houses Of Congress.
Amid q silence that was almost oppres-
Fiye, Eice-PrcsideEt Hobart ratified of
the various motions accompanying the
passage Of bin through the Senate, not
q member Offering TO make speech. The
request Of the Committee on Appropria-
tions was compiled with literally. When
the bin reached the final stage Of en-
FrossMeut and third reading, Mr. Hale
quietly asked Tor the yeas and nays. The
Fou call proceeded mon0tonously with q
constant reply u yea yea" until Mr.
Gears name was reached.
40 Pairs Wanted.
-.s-r President said Mr. Gear y hay,
& general pair with -
no. 10. shouted several senators, w.,
Il