The herald., 1898-03-09


Tor coal for naval vessels.
When the reading of the bill was con-
cluded by the item Of $50.0000o0 for the
national defense, a spontaneous outburst
& az applause went up from the members
and the galleries.
Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Sayers, the minor
ity member Of the committee, then mu-
tually proposed the agreement they had
privately arrived at before the House
met for three hours general debate on
the bill, to be followed by one hours de-
bate under the five-minute rule.
Mr.. Barrett (Rep.) of Massachusetts,
s asked if opportunity would be allowed
for amendment, and when Mr.. Cannon
answered that he did not know, he OBJ
iected. His objection was greeted with
hisses and loud cries OF Vote! vote!"
MI. Barrett in yielding to the urgent
appeals of the Republicans about him,
withdrew his objection. The agree
ment as to time was formally ratified.
After the confusion which followed
this dramatic scene had subsided, Mr..
Cannon took the floor to open the de-
bate ON the bill. He spoke calmly ana
briefly, explaining that the items in the
bill, save the last, were strictly def
cheney items. Coming to the all-absorb-
ing item, he said that in the present
critical condition of affairs the commit
tee had deemed it wise to appropriate
this sum, placing it's expenditure in the
complete discretion of the President.
He referred to the fact that the commit
tee had been unanimous in its action,
and had only changed the wording of
the bill he introduced yesterday by
making the appropriation available un-
til January, 1899, instead of until June
80, 1899. This, he pointed out would
give the administration over the time
of the probable adjournment of Con-
gress.
1--WE have got the money in the Treas
ury to meet this appropriation If 1t is ex-
pended" he continued, land therefore
there is not presented with this PROPOSE
tion one to borrow money or to increase
taxation to which almost any other ma
tion on earth would be obliged to re-
sort" tremendous applause.)
The appropriation, he contended, was
extraordinary. It's object was to en-
power the President in an orderly way
to prepare for contingencies. He in
sisted that this appropriation must not
be construed into threat Nothing was
further from the minds of those who re-
ported it. This appropriation was to be
placed in the hands of wise and pa
triotic executive to make proper prep
arations to maintain the national honor,
nothing more.
ut is not a war appropriation" said
he emphatically. II say that in my
Judgment, measuring my words, is is
a peace measure. The government of
the United States would not, if it could,
trench upon the rights Of any nation on
earth" (Great applause.)
Mr.. Sayers of Texas, the ranking mi
nority member of the committee, fol-
lowed Mr.. Cannon. His first statement
to the effect that in the presence of possi-
bic danger this appropriation had met
with the hearty and unanimous endorse
ment of the Appropriations Committee,
without regard to party, aroused the
House to enthusiasm.
He, too, declared that it could not be
construed as a threat. 1t was simply
wise and patriotic precaution-the arm
ing of the executive with power to main
tain our dignity after congress adjourned
Mr.. Sayers expressed confidence that the
money voted would be wisely and econom-
ically expended. and closed amid great
applause that he, for one, would be found
giving honest and sincere support to the
president in his efforts to support the
honor and dignity of the American nation.
Mr.. Dockery Dem.) of Missouri began
by saying that the hour for action had ar
rived and that the American people must
face an important emergency-an emer-
Eency n which no American citizen could
falter or hesitate as to his duty. At such
time, he said, party lines should fade
away and the country act as one man.
Mr.. Livingston Dem.) of Georgia sup
vf,1 I. a.,
He said he took this position because he
believed that an emergency exists, but he
contended that If the administration had
acted as it should have done twelve months
ago. In declaring a state of belligerency
the present occa sion for voting emergency
money would have been avoided.
Mr. Allen Oem.) Of Mississippi was next
recognized, amid general expectancy. He
did not make a humorous speech, but
patriotic one. II desire" he said, "to
say for the people l represent and for the
southern section of the country-for the
entire country-that there never was time
when all were so ready to give an admin
istration all the money it may need to
preserve the honor. the dignity and the
general welfare of the country, to say
nothing of fair play and justice. The peo-
pie OF the SOUTH" he continued. TASK for
nothing more. They are not jinsoes nor
extremists, but they are facing the emer-
gency calmly and quietly. only asking that
the country's institutions and traditions
may be protected and respected They do
not want to hurt anybody and are not
urging any rash action: but they are ready
to honor any draft, whether for money or
men, to keep the flag afioat."
Mr.. McRae Dem.) of Arkansas followed
IN similar strain. He said the occasion
was the most important that had con-
fronted the people in the last half century
If necessary to protect our honor or dig
nifty. he was willing to increase the appro-
priation to any extent, for the flag which
floated over the capitol was his flag and
the flag of his people, and it must be kept
there.
Mr.. Bell Pop) of Colorado spoke earn
no Populists. no Republicans, no Demo-
Gratis; but all were American citizens.
Their was no time to dwell upon what
might have been: it was enough to know
that the time had come when the govern
ment needed support
Northway, Republican, of Ohio. declared
that he did not consider the bill a war
measure. but rather as one calculated 10
preserve and secure peace. At the same
time, he said, we all know full well that
there is a spirit of war abroad and our re-
lations with other countries appear to rem
der this step necessary. He was pleased to
see that the members were speaking, not
as partisans but as patriots, bringing to
his mind the familiar lines:
Breathes there man with soul so dead.
Who to himself hath never said:
This is my own, my native land?"
NO ARGUMENT NEEDED
Boutelle, Republican, of Maine. chairman