The times., 1898-03-05

If Mr.. Handy Of Delaware had not en-
livened the closing proceedings Of the
House yesterday. and Mr.. Payne of New
York, as Chairman of the Committee of
the Whole. had not made one of the most
remarkable decisions ever listened to, the
day would have been the dullest of the
present session.
II was private bill day, and a large
number of unimportant bills were on the
calendar for disposition. Most of them
were prearranged and they glided through
the routine with the smoothness of we'll
oiled machinery not hitch being made
until a war claim of 500 was presented
for consideration.
There was no particular objection on
the part OF the House to the payment of
this claim. but Mr.. Handy of Delaware
made a pretext of one to enable him to
make a speech he had all day long been
anxious to deliver.
Mr. Handy declared that there must be
a stop to the drain on the Treasury, and
then began comparison between its con-
dition yesterday and one year ago, the
/ day President Mckinley was inaugurated.
! 1t was at once evident that the compari-
1 point OF order was made by Republic
an. Chairman Payne sustained the point
of order and Mr. Handy appealed from
the decision of the chair
Filled to overflowing with Indignation
N the ruling of Mr.. Payne. Mr.. Bland Of
, Missouri. in three minutes speech, de-
/ nouuced in unmistakable language the de-
cision. He DECLARED that in all Of his long
experience as a member of Congress he
had never before heard it ruled out of or
der to refer 10 the Treasury when a bill
appropriating money was under debate
He excoriated the chairman in such a
vigorous manner that his effort was
greeted with 4 hearty applause by the
Democrats,
Mr Cox. Of Tennessee and Mr.. Terry,
of Arkansas added their indignant pro-
tests to the ruling Of Mr. Payne. and
Mr.. McMillin of Tennessee said it was
the first decision of the character he had
ever heard in the House. He demanded
free speech for all and denounced the
effort Of the chairman Ito throttle it.
Mr.. MahOn of Pennsylvania endeayor-
ed TO help the chairman out of his di-
lemma but failed and then Mr.. Diogley
came TO the rescue. He admitted that it
was proper to refer to the condition of
the Treasury in a legitimate manner
when bill appropriating money was be-
ing considered, but said that as he under
stood it, this did not entitle member TO
make partisan speech.
A vote on the appeal from the decision
of the chairman was taken and the chair
was not sustained. A division was de-
/ manded and again the House. by vote
of 80 to q. refused TO sustain the ruling.
As a last resort teiers were demanded
and the committee rooms We're searchd
for Republicans to vote. This ballot re-
I suited in 81 to 81 and Chairman Payne
setting aside all sentiment, broke the tie
TO sustain his own decision.
The effect Of the scoring the chairman
had received. however. had no good
( effect. Mr.. Handy was permitted tc
{ finish his speech. He read from the in
( augural address Of Mr.. Mckinley the adj
vices he gave to the public respecting
= economy in demands on the Treasury
Z and then said that Notwithstanding this
4 excellent advice if il We're not for the
4 money received by the Government from
I the sale Of railroad property the Treas
= ury would be $4,000 600 poorer than a yeal
ago. He added that the shortage for the
Z present month is sI,35s. 500. and declared
4 that with such a showing the country
4 could not afford to pay claims Mr.
Handy asserted that the year had beer
: run on borrowed money and that the only
: funds in the Treasury with which tc
pay claims are those borrowed by Mr.
: Cleveland.
Mr.. Handy drew a strong, sarcastic
comparison between existing conditions
and the fine words contained in Mr.. Nc
kinley's inaugural address referring tC
the paragraph where the President saiC
he would be faithful to bimetallism anC
making some biting comments. He alsC
. spoke Of the Presidents inaugural re
+ marks respecting civil service reform, an(
/ said he would Ike to read them and thel
/ some Republican speeches delivered re
/ Gently in the House or the subject
Mr.. Sims Of Tennessee here asked Mr.
Handy not TO further oppose the small
| claim. because it was that Of a patriotic
sailor The gentleman in replying TO hin
4 closed his remarks by an eloquent tribut,
I 10 the sailors on the Maine, and warned
/ Mr.. Sims not to question his patriotism.
! If you press me on that subject / vii
/ say what / think Of that sad disaster.
| am wild when I think of that" CAP
! plauscD