The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-10
LIVELY DEBATE IN SENATE.
POpuIist Allen ArOuses Messrs. ALI
son and Chandler.


WASHINGTON Feb. 91Throughout it's
open session to-day the Senate had under
consideration the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill. A lively debate
was precipitated over the appropriation for
the support of the office of the supervising
architect of the treasury and that official
was criticised for the delay in the construc-
tion of public buildings throughout the
United States. A speech made by Mr.. Allen,
of Nebraska, in which he commented unfa-
vorably upon the methods of the appro-
priations committee. induced a rejoinder
from Mr.. Chandler, which resulted in a
sharp tilt between the two senators. Fifty
one pages of the pending bill were dis
posed of before the Senate went into ex-
ecutive session for the remainder of the
day
During the debate Mr.. Allen commented
on the paragraph making appropriations for
odds and ends of office needs. Many of
them, he thought. were suspicious. Turning
from this subject he inquired why there
was no mastering out of major generals,
brigadier generals, adjutant generals and
paymasters who had been appointed for the
war with Spain and who were now sit
ting around Washington, toasting their
the expense of the government"
Mr.. Allison, chairman of the appropria-
lions committee. replied: II have no spe-
cial knowledge of the utility of major gen.
erals and other officers to whom the sena-
tor refers but I take it they are engaged
in the work laid out for them about year
ago. When the army bill is reached the SEN
ator can make his point The bill provides
for oix To- q ha
eminent in Washington.
Mr. Allen declared that the number of
these employees could be largely decreased.
There are ten thousand persons in the en-
ployment of the government in this city who
are not rendering an hours service to the
government in year.
Mr. AlliSOn--I do not think there are so
many employees in Washington as that.
Mr.. Allen-I should think there are about
$1,000.
Mr. Chandler-There are just about 10000.
Mr. Allen, continuing his criticism de-
cared that the farmers and working peo-
pie of the country were paying taxes Ito
support these worthless creatures"
Mr.. Chandler, in replying to Mr.. Allen,
said there were doubtless eXtravagances In
many employees, but the charge of the
Nebraska senator was altogether too gen.
eral to have any effect either in the Senate
or in the country. THE senator" said Mr..
Chandler. has been here almost six years
and in all that time has not made a. propo-
sition for a single specific economy
the ear of the appropriations committee,
he had never had the opportunity.
Mr. Chandler-I have heard that the SEN
ator was a modest man, but | never dis
covered it except in his own utterances.
Mr. Chandler then declared that Mr..
Aliens periodical "diatribes" had been gen
eral in their terms and not so direct as to
be useful
Mr.. Allen-I hope the senator will with
draw that word ''diatribes.
Mr.. Chandler will. And will substitute
for It the term periodical admonitions."
Laughter
At the opening Of the session the follow
ing bills were passed: Authorizing the Sioux
City & Omaha Railway Company to con-
struct and operate a railway through the
Omaha d Winnebago reservation in Thurs
ton county, Nebraska; to restore to their
original status as to promotion officers of
the navy and marine corps who lost num-
bers by reason of the advancement Of other
officers for exceptional and meritorious
service during war with Spain; authorizing
the Arkansas Harbor Terminal Railway
Company to construct a bridge across the
Corpus Christi canal, in Texas, and for the
purchase and construction Of launch for
the customs service at Astoria, Ore, to cost
not more than $2,5O0.