Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-05
THE WAR FUND BILL.
The General Debate on the Measure
Opened Up in the House.
an ABSENCE OF PARTISAN RAyCOR.
Both Sides Admit the Necessity Of Raising
Money. but Disagree % to Methods
NO Important Business In
the Senate.

the Senate.
WASHINGTON, April IS. The general
debate upon the measure framed by
the ways and means committee to meet
the extraordinary expenditures of the
war with Spain opened In the house
yesterday. 1t will continue through
to-day and tomorrow at four o'clock
the vote will be taken. There was .
signal absence Of that partisan rancor
which has always heretofore charac.
terized debates on revenue measures
Both sides, speaking through their re-
spective leaders, Messrs. Dingley and
Bailey, concurred in the necessity
which existed for immediate raising OF
hundreds Of millions to prosecute the
war, but the opposing doctrines which
they held clashed at the first
onset over the methods by which
the revenue should be raised. The
section providing for 100000, 900 Of
bonds became the target Of the demo-
cratic and populistic opposition, and
Mr. Bailey, in an hours speech, argued
for an income tax which would raise
$500, 900, QUO year; the coinage Of the
silver seigniorage and the issue Of
S5s, 900, 900 Of legal tender notes. as an
alternative proposition. Mr. Dingley
declared that it was almost incredible
that anyone could seriously propose in
such a crisis that the government
should rely for funds upon the pro.
ceeds Of another lawsuit over propo.
sition which the supreme court had
already decided against the govern.
ment.
Mr.. Sayers, Of Texas, ranking mi
nority member Of the appropriations
committee. devoted his time to an ar
gnment to demonstrate that the money
To be raised by tn. bill was excessive
ana woall breed reckless profigacy.
The expenses OF the civil war in 1864,
when the government maintained q.
100, OJ0 men in the field and had four
times rs many ship, as 1t has to-day,
were only 81, 100. 900, 900 In view Of
that fact, he contended that to raise
1850, OOo, 0)0 to carry on a war, insignifi.
cant In comparison, must result in use.
less waste and extravaganza. The
populists all vigorously opposed the
bond proposition.
Mr. Dolliver Of Iowa, in by far the
most noticeable speech Of the day,
added to his reputation as a brilliant
orator. He assaled the position OF
the opposition In the early portion OF
his speech, but Its partisan flavor dis
appeared toward the close and he
aroused the house and galleries to
cheers as, with eloquent words, he
toY,hed the high, unseltish cause OF
humanity in which the United States
had drawn the sword, and then melt
ed his audience to tears as he referred
to the blowing up Of the Maine and
the new commonwealth we would rear
rs a monument to guard the memory
81 the unforgotten dead.
The evening session was devoted to
brief speeches by members unable to
secure time at the day session
THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 2S. THE senate
was In session but an hour and half
Yesterday, during which time no im.
portant business was transacted. Soon
after the senate convened Senator
Stewart, of Nevada introduced the
following resolution for which he asked
Immediate consideration:
That the secretary Of war be and Is hereby
ERECTED to furnish the senate with an estimate
II the amount Of appropriation necessary to
lrm equip, subsist and furnish with munitions
II war the Cuban army, now at war with Spain,
md such additions us may be made thereto
rom the people Of Cuba until the Spanish
lrmy shall be expelled from the island Of Cuba,
,r until the next session Of congress
Senator Hale, of Maine, suggested
Inc resolution had better 20 to the com.
nittee on military AFFAIRS after
statement by Senator Allison, Of Iowa,
hat the whole subject covered by the
'esolution was now being considered by
The proper committees of congress and
hat there would be no delay in the
natter. Senator Stewart agreed that
he resolution should go to the mill.
AIRY affairs committee.
No business Of Importance pressing
lon aoneidnnaAio4, 4La uaaa4a la /