The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-21
LEWIS AND GRoSvENOR CLASH
PICTURESQUE MEMBER FROM
WASHINGTON HAS HIS SAY.

Lewis and simpson Attacked Com
tractors ana GrosVcnor RcbuI<ed
Them-Lcwis Came BacI. With
Little RidicuIe-Anti-Exp -
siOnists Had Words 'NewIy
Acquired Territory" stricken Out.
Payne to Succeed DingIey.
Washington. Jan. 2O.-The proceedings in
the House were enlvened to-day ny a
wordy duel between NIr. Grosvenor OF
Ohio and Mr. Lewis the picturesque
member from Washington.
During the debate on the private bill
to refer to the Court of Claims The claim
of Cramp & Sons, the Philadelphia ship
builders, for damages from the govern
ment for delays incident to the building
of the warships New York, Massachusetts,
Indiana and Columbia, due to the failure
of the government to deliver armor plate
and other materials for these ships on time
Mr.. Lewis got the floor.
The claims aggregated about $,2O5,000
and the bill had encountered a good deal
Of opposition. Mr.. Lewis made it the text
for general attack on army and navy
contractors. whom he charged with being
traitors for taking advantage of the ne
cessities of the government in time Of
stress.
Mr. Simpson. the Kansas Popuist, fol-
lowed along the same lines, and Mr.. Gros-
venor undertook to rebuke them both. Mr..
Grosvenor said, if the treaty was not lati-
fed the country would again be plunged
in war.
Lewis RidicuIes GrOsVenOr.
Mr.. Lewis, in his reply, made one of the
wittest speeches, ridculing the Ohioan
for his alleged pretensions, chat has been
heard in the House for months. Mr. Gros-
venor did not deign TO make an extensive
rejolnder. though he displayed a lot Of
documents. and intimated that he had
plenty of reserve ammunition in store for
Mir. Lewis The Cramp bill was edged
out of the way after the flow of oratory
ceased.
When the House met the pending ques-
ton was on motion of Mr.. Swanson, to
recommit the postoffice appropriation bill
with instructions to strike from the para
graph appropriaung $5O0,00O for mail fa-
cilities in Cuba, Porto Rica and the Phil
ippine Islands, the words newly acquired
language. To avoid a roll call, which had
been ordered Mr.. Loudin. in charge of
the bill asked unanimous consent that
the words be stricken out. as they were
unnecessary. There was no objection.
The order for a roll cali was vacated and
the bill was passed.
Payne Succeeds Dingtey.
Just before the recess in the afternoon
Speaker Reed put an end to the specula-
ton regarding the chairmanship of the
ways and means committee by appointing
Mr.. Payne, Republican, of New York.
10 the vacancy caused by the death of
Mr.. Dingley This carries with it the
floor leadership of the majority At the
same time he flied the vacancies in the
minority representation on the committees
on ways and means and rules, caused by
the retirement of Mr.. McMilin, by ap-
pointing Mr. Richardson Of Tennessee to
both places.
Mr.. Crumpacker of Indiana was ap-
pointed on the census committee.
An arrangement was made for the con-
sideration of the army reorganization bill
beginning next Tuesday Fifteen hours
are TO be allowed for general debate, ex-
elusive of night sessions, Tuesday, Wed
nesday and Thursday nights. night
session was held tonight for pension leg
islation, and the House then adjourned
over until Monday.