The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-30
AMusING THEMsELvEs.
Democrats and Populists Talking
Politics i'm the House.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 29-There seems to
litical debate which has been in progress
in the House during consideration of the
appropriation bills Again to-day almost
the entire session was occupied in the dis
eussion of political topics. The controverted
question as to whether prosperity had ar
rived extracted the most attention and in
terest, and testimony pro and con was
offered throughout the day. At times con-
siderable acrimony was displayed, but as a
rule the debate was good natured, both
sides seeming TO recognize that it was
merely struggle to score political advan-
tage.
At the opening of the session bill to per-
NIT the building of dam across the Missis-
sippi river at Coon rapids, at the northern
limits Of the city of Minneapolis, was
passed.
Immediately afterward the clerk of the
Senate appeared and transmitted the Teller
resolution, which passed the Senate last
night. The announcement was greeted by
terrific outburst of applause from the DEM
oeratic side of the House. No motion was
made at the time and the resolution re-
manned on the table.
The Notifications appropriation bill was
reported, and, on motion of Mr.. Circuit, the
House went into committee of the whole
and resumed consideration of the District
Of Columbia appropriation bill. The gen
eral debate was not confined to the subjects
dealt with by the bill. IL covered wide
range. The Teller resolution, the Cuban
question, Hawaiian annexation, the tariff
and other political topics were discussed.
At the conclusion of the general debate
the bill was taken up for amendment under
the five-minute rule. Mr.. King CDem,
fa1aN Grtfa mo
nnent TO appropriate $4,000 for the improve
ment of the White House, Ito make it a
suitable abode for the Hon. Mark A.
Hanna" The amendment was ruled out on
a point of order.
Mr. Simpson pop. Kan.) commented on
President McKinley's declaration at the
manufacturers dinner in New York, de-
claring that the attempt To make all the
obligations of the United States payable in
the dearest money In the world was dress
coat anarchy" He said it was now the
fashion for Republicans to sneer at back
woods statesmen" and he reminded the ma
Jority that all the Republican heroes of
the past had cSne from the rural districts
The Republican party, he declared, had at
last become the open defender of pluto
crazy.
Mr. Tongue CKep. Ore) in q spirited
reply, denounced The Populists and the
Democrats for being responsible through
the passage of the Wilson tariff bill, for the
depression and poverty of the farming
classes
The discussion became very animated
Mr. Richardson (Dem.. Tenn.) precipitated
1t, and Messrs. Grosvenor (Rep., o. Coch-
hany Rep., n. " and Fitzgerald CDem,
MaSS.) took part The latter again brought
up the New England cotton strikes, which
have played considerable part in the debate
on previous days.
Mr. Simpkins (Rep., Mass.), in the course
of his reply drew a round of applause from
frankly confessed that, in his opinion. there
We're likely to be more strikes under a
protective than under free-trade system.
The applause ceased, however, and arose on
the other side when he added that this was
because, under q free-trade system, men
would have no work, and when they did 1t
would be for what they could get.
For some time the debate was confined
to the business situation in Massachusetts,
Messrs. Knox, Mccall and other Republic
ans OF that State contrasting the PROPOSE
tion advanced by Mr. Fitzgerald that pros
perity had not come to the Commonwealth
under the Dingley law.
MIR. Hepburn (Rep., Iowa) created some
enthusiasm on the Republican side when he
read the Dun trade review as an answer to
the Democratic criticism of the effects of
the Dingley law. Members OF the House,
said he, no matter what their politics, have
no right in attempting to score little
cheap political capital to become the libel
ers and slanderers of their country.
Mr.. Allen (Dem., Miss) enlivened the
proceedings with one of his witty speeches.
He said he was tired of having Mr.. Dingley
get up every day and explain why his bill
had not met the expectations of the coun-
try. 1t was very absurd, he said, but 1t
was with the same serious solemn mien
with which the Jewish clothier explained
to him how he was able to sell goods below
cost. Mr.. Allen said he had not met bust
ness man in Tupelo. Miss, or elsewhere,
who bore testimony to any appreciable i'm
provement in business.
Mr.. Hawley (Rep., TeXas)-Who have
been your associates? (Laughter.)
Mr.. Allen--Never mind; they belong to a
crowd you. cannot get into. (Renewed
Iaughter.>
In the course OF some remarks in a more
serious vein Mr.. Allen aroused the Demo-
Gratis to applause by quoting the following
from a speech delivered by President Nc
KinIey in the House in 1890, when the Nc
Kinley bill was under consideration:
when merchandise is cheapest. men are
poorest, and the most distressing expert
ences in the history of our country-yea, in
all human history-have been when every
thing was the lowest and cheapest, meas
ured by gold. for everything was highest
and dearest measured by labor
Further remarks were made by Mr.. Dns-
more Dem. Ark, Mr.. Pitney (Rep.. n.
j., Mr.. Todd Dem, Mich.) and Mr.. Haw-
ley (Rep.. Tex) Then, at 5 p. m. after
completing seventeen pages of the bill, the
House adjourned.
nVnS RON anMOR pI, ATE