The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-09
Against the Bill ApprOpriating
S5O,OOO,OOO
OR WAR PURPOSES.
Almost Every Member Present
During Debate
And the Galleries Were Packed
With Spectators.

Washington, March s.-The scene
which greeted the announcement Of the
bill appropriating a war fund of $780,
100000 by the house yesterday has sell
dom been equaIed.
As soon as the journal had been read,
the speaker raped for order, and, amid
a deep silence, Chairman Cannon arose
and presented as a deficiency bill the
measure appropriating $50,OOO,OO0 for
the national defense. It includes also
several other items. among which are
100000 for coal for naval vessels.
When the reading of the bill was
concluded with the item of $50 900, 900
for the national defense a spontaneous
burst of applause went up from the
members and galleries. Mr.. Cannon
and Mr. Savers. the minority member
of the appropriation committee, then
mutually proposed the agreement they
had privately made before the house
met for three hours general debate on
the Dill to be followed by one hours
debate under the five minute rule.
After the confusion which followed
this, Mr.. Cannon opened the debate on
the bill
He spoke calmly and briefly, explain
ing that the items in the bill, save the
last, were strictly deficiency items.
Coming to the all-absOrbing item, he
said that in the present critical cOndi-
ton of affairs the committee had deem
ed it wise to appropriate this sum, plac-
ing its expenditure in the complete dis
erection of the president. He referred
to the fact that the committee had been
unanimous in its action and had only
changed the wording of the bill he in
troduced yesterday by making the ap-
preparation available until January 1,
1899, instead of June, 80, 1899.
This, he pointed out, would give the
administration funds over the time of
the probable adjournment of congress.
I'VE have got the money in the treas
ury to meet this appropriation if it is
expended" he continued, and there
lore there is not presented with this
proposition one to borrow money or to
increase taxation to which almost any
other nation on earth would have been
obliged to resort" Tremendous ap-
plause.) The appropriation, he conced-
ed, was extraordinary. It's object was
to empower the president in an orderly
way to prepare for contingencies. He
insisted that this appropriation must
not be construed into a threat. Nothing
was further from the minds of those
who reported it. This appropriation
was to be placed in the hands of a wise
and patriotic executive to make proper
preparations to maintain the national
honor, nothing more.
1T is not a war appropriation" said
he, enphatically- I say that, in my
judgment, measuring my words, that 1t
is peace measure. The government of
the United States would not if it could
trench on the rights of any nation on
earth Great applause.)
Mr.. Sayers of Texas, the ranking
member of the minority followed Mr..
Cannon. His first statement to the eff
feet that in the presence of possible
danger this appropriation had met with
the hearty and unanimous endorsement
Of the appropriation committee, without
regard to party, aroused the house to
enthusiasm.
He, too. declared that it could not be
construed as a threat. It was a simp-
" wise and patriotic precaution-the
arming Of the executive power to main
tain our dignity after congress adjourn
ed. Mr.. SayerS expressed confidence
that the money voted would be wisely
and economically expended and closed
amid great applause, by saying that he
for one would be found giving honest
and sincere support to the president i'll
his efforts to support the honor and dig
nifty of the American nation.
Mr.. Allen, (Dem., Miss.) was next
recognized Among general expectancy
he did not make humorous speech,
but a patriotic one. 7 DESIRE" he be-
gan, ''tO say for the people represent,
and for the southern section of the
country, for the entire country, that
there was never a time when all were
so ready to give an administration all
the money it may need to preserve the
honor, the dignity and the general vel
fare of the country. to say nothing of
fair play and justice.
THE people Of the SOUTH he con-
Unued, ASK for nothing more. They
are not jingOes, nor extremists, but they
are facing the emergency calmly and
quietly, only asking that the cOuntry's
institutions and traditions may be pro-
tected and respected. They do not
want to hurt any body and are not urg-
ang any rash act on, but they are ready
to honor any draft. whether for men or
money to keep the flag afiOat"
Mr.. BOutelle (Rep., Me), chairman of
the committee on naval affairs said
that while no argument was necessary
on this measure, he desired to say that
he had been instructed by his commit
tee to express the hearty endorsement
of that committee. His only regret he
said, was that this appropriation was not
allowed to stand absolutely alone as a
proclamation to our country and to the
world that congress stood ready to vote
millions to arm the executive to uphold
the dignity of the flag.
Mr.. Bland (Dem., MOI said that
While no debate was essential to the
passage of the bill, it was important to
show the country and the world that
the American people, through their rep
resentatiVes without distinction of par
ty, were ready to uphold the admins
tration in the present crisis as an evil
dence of the unity of a mighty nation.
(Applause).
How magnihcently has this duty been
approached and performed! A doubt
about the American people! Hesita-
tlon about the character of the execu-
tive! A man who marched and fought
at Ant1etam and in the Valley of Vir-
S1nla, who followed the fortunes of
sheridan in the great charge of that
memorable campaign, who stood from
ms boyhoOc of eighteen years to man
mood, in the face and fire of battle-does
anyDOdy doubt where his loyalty is
where his patriotism is, where his colIr-
age IS (Applause). Calmly and de-
nberately he has considered every
threatening circumstance and calnnly
and deliberately behind him have stood
% millions of people, confident of him
true and faithful to the loyalty that
has come to US from a thousand bat
tlehelds that saved the union How
magnificent it is. I said some DAYS ago
mere that had longed to live until I