Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-30
ARE TIMES GOOD F?
Representatives Still Discussing
Whether Prosperity Has Come.
Great Deal of TaIk-Very Little Business
Mr. Walker Takes MIR. Fitzgerald
to Task.

Washington, Jan. 29.-There seems to
be no prospect OF an abatement of the
political debate which has been in pro-
gress in the house during the considera-
ton of the appropriation bills. Again to-
day almost the entire session was con-
sumed in the discussion of political
topics.
The controverted question as to
whether prosperity had arrived, at
tracted the most attention and interest,
and testimony pro and con was offered
throughout the day. At times consider
able acrimony was displayed, but as a
rule the debate was good natured, both
sides seeming to recognize that it was a
struggle to score political advantage.
Only few pages of the District appro-
priation bill were disposed of
The discussion became very animated
when the topic of prosperity was
reached. Mr.. Richardson (dem., TENN
precipitated it, and Messrs. Grosyenor
rep, Ohio, Cochran (dem., MOI, Hop
kins rep, HID, Mahany rep, n. ",
and Fitzgerald dem, 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 APP
plause from the democratic side by stat
ing that he frankly confessed that, in
his opinion there We're likely to be more
strikes Under protective than under a
free trade system The applause ceased,
however, and arose on the other side,
when he added that this was because
under free trade system men would
have no work, and when they did, il
would be for what they could get.
For some time the debate was con-
fined to the business situation in Massa-
chusetts Messrs. Knox, Mcall and other
republicans of that state contesting the
proposition advanced by MIR. Fitzgerald
that prosperity had not come to the
commonwealth under the Dingley law
Mr.. 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 Wha'
their politics, had no right in attempt
ing to score a little cheap political capt.
tai to become the HhelerS and SANDER
ers of their country.
Mr.. Allen dem, Miss) enlivened the
proceedings with one Of his witty
speeches. He said he was tired OF haV-
ing MI. llDSlEy SGt up SNSAS NeAS etAH
explain why his bill had not met the
expectations of the country. 1t was
very absurd, he said but it was with
the same serious, solemn mien with
which the Jewish clothier explained to
him how he was able to sell goods be-
low cost. Mr. Allen said he had not met
a business man in Tupelo, Miss, or else
where who bore testimony to any APP
preciable Improvement in business.
In the course of some remarks in a
more serious vein, Mr.. Allen aroused
the democrats to applause by quoting
the following from a speech delivered
by President Mckinley in the house in
1890. when the Mckinley bill was under
consideration: when merchandise is
cheapest, men are poorest, and the most
distressing experiences in the history OF
our country-yea, in all human history,
have been when everything was the
lowest and cheapest measured by gold,
for everything was highest and dearest
measured by labor"
Mr.. Walker, who followed, denounced
Mr.. F'itzgeralds statement that Bos-
ton was not prosperous. He quoted the
old proverb ut is an i'll bird that fouls
its own nest
: Mr.. Fitzgerald asked him to yield to
a question.
"The gentleman's statements are 50
reckless" retorted Mr.. Walker, that
decline to yield to, or recognize him"