The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-30
A CHURCH FIGHT
Springs Up in the House Over
a Bill
To Permit Erection of Buildings
at West Point.
TO DEETTSE
DISGRACE TO REFUSE
Says Congressman Bailey, While
the Government
Ma intainS a Saloon in the Ma
tiOnal Capitol.

Washington, June 30.-The house yes
terday disposed of a number of meas
ures and incidentally enjoyed a speech
from Mr.. Allen CIiss.), which precipi-
tated a political episode in which Mr.
GrosVenor Rep., o., and Mr.. Bailey
Oem., Tex, figured as the principals.
Mr.. Allen proposed that a company of
congressman be raised and go to Cuba
After sending the Indian and sundry
civil bills back for conference, consid-
Grafton of bills from the military affairs
committee under the rule adopted yes
terday proceeded. Notable among the
measures passed were those providing
for the enlistment of cooks in the army;
providing for the appointment of mill
ta-ry stOrekeepers for the army; provid-
ing for the protection of harbor de-
lenses and Notifications against wan
ton and malicious injury, and giving
the secretary of war discretion to per-
NIT any church religious sect to erect
it's house of worship upon the West
Point military reservation. The last
named bill precipitated considerable
discussion, it being framed at the in
stance of Catholic effort, but giving
equal privileges to all churches.
Mr.. Cromwell Rep., o., opposed the
bill as being framed solely for the Cath
olics and he antagonized launching
upon a policy LnaI WOULD END IN a nShC
between the churches for control of
the worship at West Point
Mr.. NOrthway (Rep., o., also opposed
it, declaring his opposition to any move
ment that would result in special faVOrS
to any church.
Mr.. Bailey defied any one to contend
that it contained anything that favored
one sect over any other. Incidental to
this argument, he said: "a government
that maintains a bar room within it's
capitol and refuses the right for any
church to build it's own church on the
reservation where its soldiers are train
ed is a Disgrace.
The bill was passed 1873 to 25
A protracted discussion was precipi-
tated by the bill to increase the daily
army ration by the addition tri-weekly
of one quarter of a pound of full cream
American cheese and two ounces of
canned corn. The bill was attacked
as presented not in response to the de-
mand of the army, but of the cheese
Mr.. Allen Oem., Miss.), was opposed
to the bill and took occasion to reply
to the assertion of Mr.. GrosVenor, in
the Ohio Republican convention that
the opposition to the Republicans had
practically unanimously opposed all
necessary war measures since the pas
sage of the $50, 10000 urgency appro-
priation. Mr.. Allen denied it and said
he could only explain the utterance on
the ground that Mr.. Grosvenor was one
of those who thought no man could be
a patriot who opposed bond issues.
MIR. Allen created great applause by
making the proposition that a company
of congressman, to be leu by General
Grosvenor, be raised and go to Cuba.
Grosvenor (Rep, o., arose. He did not
believe, he said, that the floor of the
house was the proper place to attack
and comment upon political speeches
and matters which arose outside of
the house.
He asserted, however, that he would
at some future time demonstrate the
truth of every assertion made in his
Ohio speech. Continuing, he proceeded
to read extracts from an editorial
printed in a Washington paper, "a
leading Democrat organ" he said, on
the day of the Ohio convention and
written, he said, by a Democratic mem |
Der of congress. The editorial, which |
was a vigorous attack upon the recent |
course of Mr.. Bailey and the minority
in the house, was quite as severe, Mr..
Grosvenor maintained, as anything he |
had said in criticism of the Democrats.
Mr. Bailey plainly excited and in
interrupted the reading to de-
mand that every word of the editorial |
be read Mr. Grosvenor insisted that |
he should read what he pleased, where |
upon Mr.. Bailey, after referring to the |
Ohioan as one who was too indecent |
to be courteous" raised the point of |
order that the article could not be read. |
His point was sustained by the chair, |
but Mr.. Bailey Immediately withdrew |
his objection, saying that he merely de- |
sired to make it plain that Mr.. Gros-
venor was proceeding by the consent |
of the house and not of his own right.
When the article had been read in |
full the Texan requested Grosvenor to |
name the Democrat who was alleged |
to have written the article. Mr.. Gros- |
venor insisted that to do so would be |
a breach of confidence, and in this as
sertion Mr.. Bailey said he was inclined |
to concur, but he declared that if any /
member on the Democratic side Of the