The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-23
TO THE LOWEST NOTCH.
BILLS WILL ALL
BE CAREFULLY SCALED.


Was "Mere POppycOck'' and WIN
Come to NOthing-Members of the
Appropriation Committees.
Washington, Jan. 22.-Economy is still
the order of the day. The leaders of the
House evidently recognize its necessity.
| The weekly receipts of the government
continue to fall far below the weekly eX-
pendtures. Until the national ledger
| shows balance on the right side there is
no prospect for the passage Of any bill
involving debt aside from the appropria-
ton bills. These are being used with con-
summate skill to take up the time of the
! House and prevent any effort to force ac-
ton upon other measures carrying an ex-
penditure. Nor will there be any effort
to increase the revenue, so far as can be
seen, until the Dingley bill has had an ex-
haustive trial.
It has been said that the House is not
a deliberative body. This is apparently
disproved by the discussion over the
item in the legislative bill making appro-
priations for the Civil Service Commits
sion. It lasted several days. 1t was ap-
parently allowed because no other appro-
Triation bills were on the docket and the
three committees on elections had not
prepared any of their work for the action
of the House. AS soon, however as Mr..
Cannon had reported an urgent deficiency
bill carrying two millions of money the
discussion was brought to a close. 1t mad
run so long and the combatants had
grown so warm that it was found difficult
to turn the faucet. Those looking for
modification of the law felt that they
were gaining strength and those advo-
eating its repeal were satisfied that they
were not losing ground. When Congress-
man Moody moved to limit the debate
the modifers and repealers joined forces
and made an issue. 1t was a close fight
At the end of the roll call the PROPOSE
ton was lost by a majority of six. There
upon three of the modifiers changed their
votes from no to aye. The speaker then
cast the decisive vote, and further de-
bate was limited to four hours
All the talk had no definite result. IT
was mere poppycock. At it's conclusion
no one moved to strike out the appro-
priation for the Civil Service Commission
and no vote was taken. The legislative
bill was passed as a fnality practically
without objection. Everybody then rec
ognized the fact that the talking had
been about something that might or
might not be reported from the commit
tee on reform in the civil service. Even
If the bill providing for its modification
should be reported there could be no Ger
talnty that it would be brought before
Inc House under a special order from the
committee on rules. Nor was there anv
PROBABILITY that the House would ever
reach vote on proposition to repeal it
Under the rules a modification bill might
come up on the call of committees in the
morning hour, but even then the time
FOR It's consideration would be limited
and could easily be frittered away bv its
opponents.
There seems to be little chance for the
consideration of a civil service bill this
session. '4''7
AS soon as the legislative bill was pass
Gu, MI WadsWorth reported the agri-
cultural appropriation bill. This gave he
Irlehds OF economy plenty of leewav. with
the agricultural bin following the deficien-
cy Dill The diplomatic bill and the army
Dill were ready for reporting, The com
mittee on elections thus had plenty of time
10 prepare their business for the House
H. however, there was a hitch here. a
special order from the committee on r,,las
could put the bankruptcy bin on the traclr
and use whatever time was necessarv 70
III IN the gap. The committee on rules
ltseI might also report new rules and
allow time enough for discussion. pending
the CESSATION of other appropriation hills
IN committee. Meantime the committees
on naval aHalrs on postofices and post
roads, on Indian affairs and on anDronria :
lions were all busily at work framing hills
providing for the expenses of the govern
ment for the coming fiscal year. All these
are pretty sure indications that the House
intends 10 force the appropriation bills
over to the Senate as fast as possible. and
hold the Senate responsible for any fur
Their delay.
The instant the urgent deficiency hill
was reported the committee on appropria-
tons began the preparation of the bill
making appropriations for the District of
Columbia. Work on the Notifications bill
Will soon follow, and the grand finale come
with the production of the sundry civil
bill Meantime the army, the navy tha
consular and diplomatic and the Indian
bills could fill in the interstces. It ia
understood that all the appropriation bills
will be scaled down to the lowest notch
This is apt to send an army Of persons
interested in bills reported from the COM
mittee on claims and on war claims over
to the Senate. Their bills will be shut
out, even if favorably reported to tha
House. The Senate committee will he
urged to place many such measures upon
the different appropriation bills as riders
increasing the volume of the budget, and
giving rise to a struggle between the two
houses. If the House insists on its eco
nomical reductions, the struggle may last
for weeks if not for months. 1t is proc
able, however, that while each side will
yield in compromise, the Senate as usual.
will get the best of the bargain, and sew
eral millions be added to the bills.
The constitution provides that all rp-
preparation bills shall originate in the
House. 1t also makes the same provision
for revenue bills, yet in nearly every case
where a revenue bill has been sent to the
Senate it loses its identity, and is sent back
to the House in a form so misshapen that
its own parents fail 10 recognize il. The
same is true with appropriation bills. The
sundry civil bill is a great Golfer for the
Senate. Anything can be pitched into it.
and defended, If necessary, on the ground
that it is not a rider, and that It properly
belongs in the bill.
With these facts in view, the House and
Senate committees on appropriations must
become objects of public interest The
House committee as appointed by the
speaker; the Senate committee is a caucus
production. The chairman of the former
is Joseph G. Cannon Of Illinois, and the
leader Of the minority Joseph D. Savers of
Texas; the chairman of the Senate COM