The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-15
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
Tilt Between Miss0urians Over the
GoebeIfzing of st. Louis.

GOebelizing of st. Louis.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Alt was the in
tention of the Republican leaders of the
House to call up the Porto Rican tariff
bill tomorrow, but there was such a de-
mand for time to discuss various questions
during the general debate on the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial appropriation
bill, which was called up to-day, that Mr..
Payne gave notice that he would allow
the Porto Rican bill TO go over until Mon
day. The debate on the legislative bill to-
day strayed far from the bill, touching the
question of government deposits In national
banks, reckless expenditures for pensions.
and finally drifting into the question of
election methods In Missouri. Mr.. Bar
tholdt, of Missouri, raised the latter ques-
ton by attacking the Nesbit law and pro-
voked a long reply from Mr.. Benton. of
Missouri, who In turn aroused Mr.. Pearce,
of Missouri. Some very caustic things were
said on both sides. Mr.. Hemenway, in
charge of the appropriation bill. made a
general explanation of the measure.
Speaking about the clerical force In the
departments, Mr.. Hemenway provoked
somewhat of a storm by asserting that the
departments were filled with Incompetent
who were kept in by political influence.
He said whenever the head of a department
proposed to discharge incompetents. con-
gressmen and senators b~ullyragged him
into retaining them.
Mr.. Moody, Of Massachusetts,, a member
of the appropriation committee. called at
tention to the fact that by the terms Of
the present law heads of departments were
compelled to discharge incompetents and
insisted that superannuated clerks must be
dead wood" said he 'the public service
will break down"
Mr.. Bartholdt (Missour) devoted half an
hour to a definition of the election laws in
Missouri. The Democratic Legislature at
its last session had, ne said, imposed "Goe-
belism" upon st. Louis. 1t left the Repub-
lican party in st. Louis powerless. Worse
than this, the Legislature had sad
died on the city an infamous police bill.
The Democrats of Missouri who in the
House cried for the consent of the gov
erned in the Philippines. ignored the gov
erned in st. Louis. The German-Ameri-
cans of st. Louis, he said, supported the
administrators Philippine policy. Loyalty
to the government was a German charac-
teristic. The Irish were naturally "Agin
the government"
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Massachusetts,, resent
ed Mr.. Bartholdt's reflections on the Irish
Americans. He agreed with Mr.. Bartholdt
in his eulogy Of the Germans. But said
he. II think he has offered a gratuitous in
suit to the Irish people and 1 hurl it back
in his teeth" o
Mr.. Bartholdt disclaimed any intention of
reflection on the Irish.
Mr.. Benton defended Missouri's election
laws. Those of nc other State of the Amer
lean Union, he said, were fairer or more
honest. He contrasted the present laws
with those enacted by the Republicans dur
ing the days of reconstruction.
He said that some of the features of the
present law were to prevent imported vo-
tiers, who, 1t was charged. were brought
into st. Louis for voting. No honest Re-
publican could object to the law.
Mr.. Bartholdt reiterated his charge that
the Missouri election law was outrageously
partisan and designed to turn over the
city of st. Louis to the Democrats.
Mr.. Pearce also replied to Mr.. Benton,
characterizing as weak, If not cowardly,
some of his statements.
When Mr.. Pearce concluded. the army ap-
preparation bill was reported and the
House, at 4:50 p. m. adjourned.