Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-05

gssS 10
penditure not previously authorized by
law unless in continuation Of Sappro-
prlations for such public works and OBJ
jects as are already in progress.",sis
He held that theres was no law for
an appropriation for the construction OF
the Nicaragua canal. a. ii
II have observed replied Mr.. Hep
burn. that this rule Is obsolete as to q
part of the membership Iof this House.
It is only invoked and It's provisions en-
forced when the Committee on Appro-
prlationS desires to stand somebody off
whom they think is about to make q
raid upon the Treasury
He added that he had little respect
for the rule as 1t stood on n par with
all the rules OF the last House, which
were adopted under a promise that was
never kept
IF you put the Nicaragua amend
ment in here" returned Mr.. Cannon,
''you do it in violation OF law. and 1T
goes with the stamp of suspicion, dis
trust, and illegitlmacy."
ut Is no worse than your rules,
shouted a Southern member.
ooh! Good God!" exclaimed MIR. Can
non, "how that sounds like a parrot.
The gentleman from Iowh spat upon
the rules of this House. The rules are
the servants of the House. His attempt
to nyade them Is not worthy Of him.
Out in his country they would call 1t
pettifogging.''
Well" reared Mr. Hepburn, "the
gentleman from Illinois has violated
this very rule thirteen times in the first
nineteen pages of this very bill. I'M
dortake to say that I can find seventy
five distinct and substantial violations
of the rule in the BILL"
He then quoted provision appro-
priating $4,000 to construct q steam
~ ~l.s.1 ~.
trict in New York
mo authority OF law has been given
for It," he continued. bills are now
pending in the House TO authorize the
construction of that vessel. 1t Is a
wanton violation of the rule. Over and
over again this gentleman violates this
rH'e, which he wants to evoke to con-
troll the action of others
CANNON ON HIS METTLE.
The statement placed Mr.. Cannon
upon his mettle. He contented himself,
however, by saying that in all general
appropriation bills matters like this
were reported by the committee. They
sometimes pass, ".he added, land sone-
times do not, but they always so out
If the gentleman from Iowa or nm.
other member invoices the rule"
",Then the committee violates the
rule, and waits for somebody else to
be advised of it." broke Ill General
Grosvenor.
Undoubtedly the gentleman can be
kept within the rule If the gentleman
from Iowa could always be after him."
said Mr.. Hepburn. but I c;lnhot an
ticipate what the committee will do"
well, I am after you In this" sug-
gested Mr.. Cannon.
IF 1 can bring 1t about" retorted
MIR. Hepburn. II intend you shall con-
tinue to be after me, and q long way
behind. Bringing In bill here, hoping
1t was to escape observation, Is itself n
violation OF the rule. If the gentleman
insists on doing this he is guilty of a
crime against the dignity of the House;
he has violated the rules repeatedly;
he has spat on them over and over
again."
On the following day Mr.. Cannon
promptly moved that the House go in
to the committee of the whole for the
further consideration of the sundry
civil bill. Before the motion was put
Hepburn asked the privilege of Offer
Ing Il resolution. but Cannon refused TO
give way. After viva voce vote, Hep
burn again appealed to Cannon, saying:
Il hope the gentleman will give me
an opportunity to read the resolution"
oh" replied Cannon, ~ have no OBJ
lection to your reading the ten COM
mandments, If you do not take up too
much time"
MIR. Hepburn then read the resolu-
ton, which set apart day for the con-
slderation OF the canal bill, and Can
non promptly objected.
Il have no objection" he added. "to
the reference Of the resolution to the
proper committee"
AS the proper committee was the
Committee on Rules, Mr.. Hepburn said:
II have no desire to bury It,"
Yes, know" returned Mr. Cannon,
ut is cheap performance you desire"
FINALLY SUSTAINED TIE CHAIR.
MI Hepburn then pressed the Mic
aIagua amendment, and the chairman
OF the committee OF the whole. Mr.
Hopkins, of Illinois, ruled it out Of
order. Hepburn took an appeal This
appeal was discussed for hours. The
whole House was thoroughly caflvessed
by the friends of the amendment, and
Speaker Reed wandered about urging
his friends to support the ruling OF the
chairman. He approached a well known
Democratic friend and asked him to
stand by the rule.
Il will not" was the reply "These
rules were fastened upon us by q trick.
and any member who would not vote
DH 0nn' MeEpfbag