The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-16

Principal causes More Contention.
The bill. making appropriations to pro-
vide Tor the expenses OF the government of
the District Of Columbia for The fiscal
year ending June 30. 1901, was passed 10y
the House Of Representative O.. $50
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. Though very
few changes. and these OF a minor char
acter. were made in the bin as reported
from the Committee on Appropriations.
two serious contentious arose iu she mat
ter u public hools and charities. Mr.
Bell Of Colorado sought 10 amend The bill
by increasing the compensation to Doe paid
20 the principal Of the Central High School.
and Mr. Ray Of New York made an attack
on the Hart Farm School which involved
him in an unpleasant controversy with
members Of the Committee on Approgria-
tions
Under the head Of charities in the bill
as reported was the following.
For the Board OF Children's Guardians.
created under the act approved July %,
1892. namely: For administrative expenses.
including salaries Of agents. not 10 exceed
s. 400; expenses in placing and visiting
children and all office and sundry ex-
peDses. s. 600.
For the care Of feeble minded children,
board and care Of all children committed
to the guardianship Of said board by the
courts Of the District. and FOR the tenn
porary care OF children pending investiga-
lion. or while being transferred from place
70 place $40 600. Provided. that the Board
OF Childrens Guardians are hereby direct
ed to contract with the Hart Farm School
during the fiscal year 1901 for the care and
support Of not less than fifty boys at the
rate OF 500 each per annum."
Mr.. Ray objects.
Mr.. Ray promptly made a point OF order
against that provision requiring the Board
Of Guardians 10 contract with the Hart
Farm School for the care Of fifty boys He
said that the provision recited was an at
tempt 10 take money out Of the public
Treasury TO pay the debts Of private per-
sons. and he would exert himself 10 defeat
a project which had for its aim such a
gross misapplicatiou OF public moneys.
Mr.. Grout Of Vermont in charge Of the
District Appropriation bill. arose and said
that If the gentleman from New York
wished TO stand by his point OF order the
but. Mr. Grout said. Il feel that the gen
tleman would not raise point OF order
against that paragraph il he understood
the situation and knew the good which that
provision would do"
Instead OF modifying Mr. Ray. the plea
Of The member from Vermont seemed 10
stimulate him to q more determined at
tack on The paragraph which he denounced.
Growing fercer in his hostility. he said
boldly:
1t is d steal"
This remark caused somewhat Of "a SEN
sational flutter on the Republican side Of
the chamber and would. without doubt,
not have passed unnoticed, but the first
member to challenge Mr.. Ray and pre-
cipitate the discussion was Mr.. Richard
son Of Tennessee. He arose and begging
the leave of the Chair. asked Mr.. Ray II
he would yield for a question.
Certainly" said the member from New
York.
q want TO ask said M Richardson
n ] unders God the gentleman correctly.
I understood him to say that the District
Appropriation bill contains 'steal2'
Mr. Ray perceptibly lodged and entered
upon an explanation TO tho effect that
what he intended TO say. and what he
meant to say. II he did not actually say
IT, was that II the provision in the bill
went through the House as 81 had been
reported from the Committee on Appro-
priations 81 might operate as a steal.
As Mr. Ray concluded his explanation
and the minority leader sat down. Mr
Grout arose. He was not in a happy
humor The accusation made 10y Mr.. Ray
had angered him Shaking his index finger
al the gentleman from New York he
said: Il am glad you have modified your
remark. but you did say that This bill con
tanned a steal
he said it was d steal" chimed in
Mr.. Richardson.
Mr.. Groui Aroused.
Nj Grout said u am astounded. ut
terly as,ounded. Mr.. Chairman. that a
member Of this House would stand mp on
this floor and deliberately make such
grossly false charge against this com
mittee" Mr.. Grout was vi-ibly agitated
and his manner toward Mr. Ray was de-
mandatory and almost threatening 4
am astounded. Mr.. Chairman he said,
time and again while Mr. Ray was try
ing to talk him on his feet in a futile cf-
fort 10 make an explanation. Il will not
yield the floor 10 the gentleman from New
York" shouted Mr. Grout thoroughly
aroused. The member from Vermont was
declaring IN me louuesl tones ne Doulu
command, 4 am astounded. Mr.. Chair
man
Mr.. Ray was making quite a clamor TO
the effect that he wanted TO say what
he had said. and the Chairman Mr..
sherman Of New York; was crying. The
gentleman from Vermont declines TO
yield" The excitement drew quite num-
Der OF members from the cloak rooms and
the nearby committee rooms 90 the floor.
When Mr.. CIRCUITS time had expired the
Chairman made that announcement and
The Vermont Congressman asked uuaui-
nous consent that his time be extended
another Eve minutes. There being no OBJ
lection. he continued TO express his sur
prise that Mr.. Ray should say on the
floor that the appropriation hill contained
q steal He explained the reasons which
had led the committee to insert the Hart
farm proyiso In the bill. He considered
Il neforfnatory institution OF great merit
where rational methods Of reformation
were applied TO colored boys who had