The times., 1898-01-13
Mr.. De ARn0ND'S QUERIES
He Taxes Cannon. of Illinois,
With Hypocrisy.
SOLDIERS HOME AT DANVILLE
Chairman of the Appropriations Com
mittee Asks for Half Million in
the Interest of His Own TOWN.
Illinois Man Angrily Resents I'M
putations.

Proceedings were enlivened in the
House yesterday by the severe attack
made by Mr. De Almond, of Missouri.
on Mr. Cannon, of Illinois. chairman OF
the Committee on Appropriations The
trouble took place during the debate
over the urgency deficiency appropria-
ton bill. The items of the bill had pro-
ceeded with the regularity of well-oiled
machinery. the debate on each being
conducted with the usual effort 10 Sc
cure political points, but going no fur
ther until an item was reached appro-
priating $4,000 900 for the completion Of a
soldiers home at Danyille, Ill.
This particular item was an especial
favorite of Mr.. Cannon, as Danviile is
his home.
AS soon as Mr.. De Almond got rec
ognition he made his attack on the
item and Mr.. Cannon He Informed
the House that at the last session
Chairman Cannon had secured an ap-
preparation of $50 900 Tor this purpose,
and that he in common with other
members, thought that no more money
would be asked for this purpose. Mr..
De Almond criticised Nh. Cannon Sc
verely for reporting as chairman OF the
committee another bill asking for half
a million dollars. Mr.. Cannon, he de-
clared. had been urging and demanding
economy from every person in the
House and it came with bad grace for
him, as chairman of the Appropriation
Committee. to insist on 5000, 600 more to
beautify his town.
Mr.. Cannon was almost livid with rage
when he replied, declaring that the
Gentleman from Missouri speaks
without knowledge when he intimates
that | am personally Interested in this
bill" Mr. CannOns Indignation made
him wax eloquent, and in glowing
terms he described the SufferingS of the
old soldiers, who need a home, and the
splendid hospital that has already been
provided at Danville for them. About
24O acres of land had been secured at a
cost of about s25.0OO. for the purpose of
the home. He referred to his twenty
years service in Congress and declared
he would stand by his record
Mr.. Cannons time had expired by
this time. and, with much sarcasm in
his voice Mr.. De Almond asked uuani-
nous consent for an extension of time
for the gentleman from Illinois. time
enough he explained, for the gentle
man to answer my question"
Mr. Cannon denied that he wanted
any more time. and asserted that he
latter insisted but Mr.. Cannon refused
to say more. and then Mr.. De Almond
said he would answer the question him.
self in his own way.
He said that he wanted to know why
Mr.. Cannon believed now that $500. 900
or 500, 900 is necessary to build the
home at Danville, when, at the last
session, he had asked for but $50 900. :.
He said, with a stirring ring in his
hot 70 n-t-r
building in his own town erected at
cost of S150.000 during the last session
was bad enough, but to now ask for
100000 is enough to shock the whole
community.
when asked a question said
Mr.. De Almond, ''he begins scold-
ing, scolding; talks of his twenty
years here filling great position. and
avaiIs himself of an opportunity to in
directly help himself by helping his
town. Mr.. De Almond again upbraided
Mr. Cannon for scolding. and asked.
Does he now regret his lost opportuni-
ties?" The sally was greeted by hear
ty applause on the Democratic side.
and the speaker continued:
Does he regret the lost opportunity
to reach the Treasury? He scoIds and
parades his virtues and purity When
was such an action as this paralleled?'
(Applause.) 4
Mr. Cannon Indignantly denied that
he was interested personally in the bill.
and then Mr.. Henderson. of Iowa, and
Mr.. w. A. Stone, of Pennsylvania came
to his assistance and Youched for the
good faith of Chairman Cannon Mr.
Henderson said the appropriation had
received the unanimous support of the
committee.
Mr. De Almond offered three amend
ments to the item striking out Danville
as the place for the building TO be
erected. and asked that some other
town in the Mississippi valley be
named. He declared that if Mr. Cam
non had no personal interest in the bill
he could and ought to vote for the third
rejecting the amendment he said, ex-
eept it is to give Danville the home in
preference to some other place"
The three amendments were Substan-
tally the same. The first two We're lost
by party vote on q division. and the
third was defeated on a call of yeas
and nays. also. by a party vote. the
yeas being 123 and the nays a.
DO Won know that Won can hoyt !