Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-03-11

Chairman Cannon of the appropriations
committee introduced in the House Mon
day bill entitled making appropriations
for the national defence" 1t is as follows
"That there is hereby appropriated out of
any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated for the national defence and
for each and every purpose connected
Herewith, to be expended a. the discretion
of the President and to remain available
until June 80, 1899, $50 600 000,' 1t was
referred to the committee Oh appropria-
tions.
This action of Mr. Cannon was the out
come of a conference held at the White
House Monday morning, at which Mr..
Cannon. Secretary Long, Mr.. Dingley,
Senator Allison and Gen. Grosvenor were
present. The situation was considered so
grave that it was deemed imperative that
an immense appropriation of this character
should be made at once to prepare for the
national defence.
Mr.. Cannon said he simply introduced
the bill in his individual capacity as a rep
resentative. This is, of course, true, but
it can be stated positively that the bill was
introduced as the result of the conference
with the President and the Republican
leaders of both houses, and that the bill
has the PRESIDENT approval
The spirit of patriotism prevailed in the
House Tuesday and the appropriation of
$50. 600 600 for the national defence was
passed by a unanimous vote. The after
noon was spent in debate, equally divided
between Republicans and Democrats, who
Wed with each other in expressing loyalty
TO the government and confidence in the
integrity of the administration to spend
mae rriVv
that more would be voted if the emeTgen-
cy should require, although the opinion
was expressed that vigorous measures for
defence would be a strong incentive toT
peace. The bill was sent to the Senate,
where it was referred to the committee on
appropriations
There were only two discordant notes in
the speeches. Mr.. Barrett of MassaChu-
sets asked if there would be opportunity
for amendment, but he was met with such
a storm of protests that he withdrew his
objection. A moment later he got
chance to explain that he would gladly
vote for an appropriation of 100000, 900.
The other dsscordant note came from Gen.
Bingham of Pennsylvania, who went out
of his way to dwell upon the triendliness
of Spain, objected to the eulogy of the
courage and daring of Fitzhugh Lee,
rather than of his level head and hard
sense, and concluded by comparing the
horrors in Cuba to the dead line at Libby
prison. These illusions grated harshly on
the ears of those who had listened to
speeches from a dozen eX-Confederates,
breathing the finest loyalty to the flag.
Bingham, too, was roundly Kissed.
When the question was put on the pas
sage of the bill the House rose en- masse in
its favor, but Mr. Cannon asked for the
yeas and nays. He did so, he said at the
request of many members, who desired that
every member should 60 on record. Then
every member present voted for the bill
many of them assuming the responsibility
of breaking their pairs in order to place
themselves on record.
At the conclusion of the roll call the
Speaker had his name called, an unusual
proceeding, and, amid great applause,
voted for the bill. When he announced
the vote 1911 yeas, nays o. an enthusi-
astic demonstration occurred.
The Senate passed the $4,000, 900 de-
fence bill without debate Wednesday. The
yeas and nays were taken on the passage
OF the bill, but there was not a dissenting
vote. All pairs were broken and those
present voted in the affirmative. Seventy
sin senators voted for the bill