Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-25
MONEY FOR HARBORS
A Somewhat Lively Session Of the
House.
ATTACK ON rHE APPROPRIATIONS
Senate Amendments to the Army
Bill Adopted.
CORBETT CASE TAKEN UP

The blind chaplain of the House prayed
for peace at the opening of the session to-
cay. "Oh, Thou Almighty he prayed;
strong to deliver and ever wise in Thy
counsels, hear our prayer. Keep us, we
beseech Thee, in the midst of all excite
ment, calm and deliberate. and especially
deliver us from unnecessary anxiety and
care and from vain boastings, so .hat IL
the time should come, and we pray that 1t
may not, we may be strong to maintain
our rights and uphold the dignity of Thy
nation. Bless, we beseech Thee, the Presi-
dent of the United States and All his coun-
selors, the Congress and all othcrs in au-
thority, SO that Righteousness and peace
and honor may be ours"
The Senate amendments to the army ap-
p1 opriation bill were agreed to without
debate.
Mr. Hull. chairman of the committee on
military affairs, announced that his COM
nittee had acted favorably upon the Sem
ATE Dill 10 provide two additional regt-
ments of artillery, and he asked unanimous
consent for the consideration of the bill
tomorrow after the sundry civil bill was
disposed Of There was some question as
10 the length of time the bill would re-
quire.
Mr.. Sulzer IN. " stated that it was a
very important measure. He wanted some
day next week set aside for its considera-
tfon. Finally Mr.. Cox (TennD Objected
saying that the committee on rules could
provide time for it's consideration
MI. cannon then moved that the House
go into committee of the whole and re-
sumo consideration Of the sundry civil
bill. This motion was antagonized by the
southern democrats, who desired to take
up the private calendar. this being private
Dill day under the rules.
MI CdunOnS molten Dreyailed-13R tn
llo-and the House resumed considera ion
OF the sundry civil bill.
Mr. Parker On. j. moved TO strike out
the appropriation of Sl33 900 FOR contin-
uing the improvement al Oakland Cal He
said the Improvement at Oakland had NOT
been begun, and no contract had yet been
existing law.
Mr.. Bland (Mo.) wanted 10 know whether
| this was not an attempt to slip into the
slrdry civil bill items that properly be-
lcnged to river end narbor bill; in other
words, to substitute this bill in favored
particulars for the regular river and har-
bcr bill.
Mr.. Grcsvenor (ohio) also asked if an
tfon.
Mr.. Cannon replied that it was not an
innovation. Appropriations for works un-
Ger contract mad always been made in the
sundry civil bill. In some cases, where the
contracts had rot been let, the Secretary
of War had said that contracts would be
let. and these appropriations for money
which would be absolutely necessary to
meet contract liabilities.
Mr.. Moody (MaSs.) referred to the prevail
ing belief that no river and harbor bill was
to be passed at this session. He protested
against some of the members of the House
getting 'n out of the wet" in the sundry
civil bill. while others were to be exposed
to the economy which was to be imposed
upon the country. He believed the sundry
civil should only contain appropriations
to meet money due or to be due under
contracts. He objected to favorites. Only
a few weeks ago, said he, the coast of
Massachusetts had been strewn with thirty
wrecks. Many lives had also been lost.
The improvement which should have been
provided for Boston harbor might have pre-
vented part of this loss. He refused to
stand on the floor he said, and submit to
the suppression Of the river and harbor
bill.
A Sensational Attack.
Representative Moody made sensational
attack upon an appropriation of 1860, 900
for Rockland, Me-. harbor, which is in Mr..
Dingley's district. He said he was willing
to submit to economy and to honest leader
ship. but for one he proposed to rebel
against the leadership tina: gave favors to
Rockland, an insignificant port that could
be buried in Boston harbor.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Ohio) attacked the ap-
plopriation. and declared that If the House
go into the sundry civil bill there would
be no river and harbor bill. He was amaz-
ed. he said, at the action of the appropria-
tion committee. and insisted that all the
members should be an equality.
Mr. Cannon replied declaring that some
of the most vicious river and harbor items
ever reported came from the committee
when he (Grosvenor) was a member of it.
He said that from 25 10 33 per cent of the
n cney appropriated by bill he helped TO
report had been worse than thrown away.
Mr.. Dingley answered the personal attack
made upon him. The Rockland improve
ment, he said, was not simply an improve
ment, it included provision for a break
water and a harbor of refuge, just such
another as was being built at Sandy bay,
In Mr.. Moody's district, on which $75O,OOO
had been spent
Mr.. Dingley Indignantly repudiated the
intimation that he had ever suggested or
fntimated that this appropriation should be
made in this bill. He presumed 1t had been
made upon the recommendation of the
corps of engineers in the public interest
Mr.. Catchings {Miss.) defended the action
of the appropriations committee.
SENATE