The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-06
FORTIFlCATIONS BILL PASSED
Carries Less Than Half the Amount
of Last Years

Carries Less Than Half the Amount
of Last Years
Washington, Feb. 5.-The house today
during its entire session had under con-
sideration the bill making appropriations
for fortifcations and coast defenses. Lit
tie interest seemed to be manifested in
the proceedings, less than one-half OF the
members being present during the ses-
sion The bill was passed by the house.
carrying $41H,912, against $9,51T,1A last
year.
Washington, Feb. Sat the opening of
the session of the house today Mr.. Boyce
CRcp., Ind). chairman of the committee
on elections No. 2, presented resolution
declaring that in the contest between
Samuel Hudson and William McAleer of
Pennsylvania, for seat in the house.
Mr.. McAleer is entitled to the seat. With
out division the resolution and report of
the committee was adopted.
A bill granting to the Gulf, Colorado
and Santa Fe Railroad company the right
to construct a branch of its road in the
Indian Territory was passed.
A senate bill authorizing the Muscogee
Coal and Railway company to construct
and operate a railway through the In
dian and Oklahoma Territory was also
passed.
The house then went into committee of
the whole and resumed consideration of
the Notifications appropriations bill.
Mr.. Lewis Dem, Wash) took occasion
to discuss the financial question and said
it was the purpose of the administration
to retire the greenbacks. He also criti-
cised tn leaders of the house for not al
lowing more time to discuss the Teller
resolution.
Mr.. McCleIland Dem, n. ". in a
speech declaring that the bill carried no
adequate appropriation for the defense of
New York harbor, said the trouble was
that too much money was expended for
the improvement of our harbors which
would make them accessible to a hostile
fleet.
1T would be much better" said he 'to
first protect our harbors and then, after
they are protected. to improve them"
| In response. Mr.. Sayres Dem, Tex. a
member of the appropriations committee,
expressed the opinion that there was not
the slightest rosect of war with any for
! eign nation.
Economy" said he, fought to be the
watchword on both sides of this cham
Der and no appropriation for any project
ought to be made unless it is absolutely
necessary
After discussing the work of the appro-
priations committee, in consideration OF
the various appropriation bills, Mr.
| Savers said:
"Our revenues are large enough. II
ought to be our effort TO reduce the ex-
penses of the government in order that
thy may conform to the receipts
In conclusion, Mr.. Sayers said: 1--WE
ought TO unite to make this congress one
of the most economical since the civil
war"
BY the introduction of an amendment
to reduce the maximum price Of oil-tem-
pered and annealed steel from % to 2
cents per pound, Mr.. McRae Of Arkansas
| secured the floor and made sharp at
tack upon the administration. He said
he had no fear of war, because he was
| satisfied the present administration would
accent any insult from a foreign nation
| that might be offered. bound hand and
foot as il was by trusts and monopoles
| The great mass of the people, however
would protect the honor of the country
Instead of preparing for war, to protect
the country from the inroads of foreign
| nation. Mr. McRae thought congress
ought to protect the country from fur
| Their issue of bonds, which seemed likely
in view of the present condition of the
revenues. before the end of the year.
Mr.. Foote rep, n. W and Mr.. Ma
hon CRep.. Pa opposed the amendment
maintaining that its adoption would re
suit precisely as had the effort of con
e-ess to reduce the price of armor plate
and that il was likely TO cause one year:
delay in the manufacture Of guns. Th'
amendment was defeated. 56-2A
Mr.. Lewis Dem. Wash.) obtained th'
floor to conclude the remarks he had be
gun earlier in the day. He maintaine'
that the treasury had now only Sl-i'ooo'
600 with which to pay two billion doHa
debt-a debt that was constantly increas
ine. He held that the government va!
now paying a 21a-cent dollar in liquidation
| Of its Observation-Disclosures that. whel
contracted. were worth only 30 cents OF
the present dollar.
After another fruitless effort on the par
of afr. Mcclellan to amend the bill. tn
reading Of the measures was concluded
| reported by the committee Of the whel
10 the house. and passed.
At $40 p. m. the house adjourned w
| I'll Monday.