Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-28
IN CONGRESS.
Debate on War Revenue Bill
Opened in the House.
Eloquent Testimonials to the Wisdom
of the Presidents Course.
Senate Desires Estimates Of Putting Cuban
Army in Fighting Trim.

Washington. April 27.-The general
debate upon the measure framed by the
ways and means committee to meet the
extraordinary expenditures of the war
1t will continue through tomorrow and
on Friday at o'clock. the vote win be
taken. There We're a signal absence of
heretofore characterized debates on
the partisan rancor which has always
revenue measures.
Both sides, speaking through their
respective leaders. Messrs. Dingley and
Bailey. concurred in the necessity
which existed for immediate raising
hundreds of millions to prosecute war.
but the opposing doctrines which they
held clashed at the first in regard TO
the methods by which the revenues
should he raised.
The section providing for $50o. 600, 00o
Of bonds became the target of the
Democratic and Populistic opposition
ard Mr.. Bailey in an hours speech ar
gued for an income tax. which would
raise 500 100000 a year. the coinage Of
The silver seigniorage and the issue of
$5j000o00 Of legal tender notes as an
alternative proposition.
Mr.. Dingley declared that it was al
most Incredible that any one could seri-
ously propose in. such a crisis that the
government should rely for funds up
on the proceeds of another law suit
over Il proposition which the supreme
court had already decided against the
government.
Mr.. Sayers. Texas, the ranking Demo-
cratic member of the appropriations
committee, devoted his time to an ar
gumcnt to demonstrate that the money
10 hc raised by the bill was excessive
and would breed reckless pronigacy.
The expenses of tho Civil War in 1864
when the government manned 2,o3oG0o
men in the field and had four times as
many warships as it had today We're
only $1l0o,oo0. In view of that fact he
contended that To raise $3.50, 000 900 TO-
carry on a war, insignificant in COM
parison. must result in useless waste
and extravaganza.
The Populists also vigorously opposed
the bond proposition. Mir. Dolliver of
Iowa, in 10y far the most notable speech
of the day. added to his reputation as
brilliant orator, He assailed the po-
sition of the opposition in the early
portions Of his speech. butt its partisan
flavor disappeared towards the close
and he aroused the House and CALLER
les to cheers as. with eloquent words.
he touched the high. unsellish cause Of
humanity in which the United States
had drawn the sword and melted his
audience to tears as he referred to the
blowing up of the Maine and the new
commonwealth we would rear as a
unforgOttcn dead.
The evening session was devoted to
brief speeches by members unable to
secure time at the day session.
The opening of the taree days debate
ON the war revenue measure attracted
crowds to the House galleries. today
and the attendance on the floor was
also large.
The House went into committee OF
the whole Immediately after the read
ing of the journal and entered upon the
consideration of the bill. owing to its
Importance Dingley. chairman Of the
ways and means committee, did no.
ask that the first reading of the bill be
dispensed with as is usual with bills
Of minor Importance.
The reading of the war revenue bill
occupied an hour and 10 minutes. Ding
ley then took The floor to open the de
bate. Owing to hoarseness he said he
should confine himself to general
statement and reserve particulars for
the fve-minute debate The bill, h.
said, was distinctly a war measure.
forced upon the country by the war
with Spain, in which we are now en-
gagged
In war, he said, it was essential that
We should stand as a unite. shoulder
/" shoulder. as it was only through such
united action that hostilitics could he
abbreviated and brought to an end at
the earliest possible moment. He fol
lowed closely the lines of the report
Which he drew to accompany the bill
when it was reported 10 the House.
yesterday.
ne emphasized the necessity Of unit
Cd action in support of the measure in
order not only to impress Spain but the
countries Of Europe With the profound
conviction that the American Congress
and the American people stood shoulder
10 shoulder without regard to party in
the determination to prosecute to a
successful termination the war we had
undertaken.
DIngley spoke with great earnestness
ana was listened TO with profound at
tention.
Many of the Democrats left their
places and took seats on the Republic
can side in order to hear the better
w TN great iO1nvpSSiNanAcc I)inctRX S:lI