The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-17
By Democratic Leader
Mr.. Richardson.
Mr.. Hopkins Defends The
Secretary.

urgent deficiency appropriation bill was
taken up In the House today, under an
agreement which limited the general de-
bate to today. It was the general expec-
tation that it would open up a stormy
debate on expansion, In view of the large
army and navy items IL contains, but the
members early became very much en-
crossed In discussion of an item of
$50, 900 for rural free delivery in which
all are personally interested and tho sub
ject of expansion was barely touched up
on. The last hour of the debate was en-
livened with attack by Mr.. Richardson,
the minority leader, upon the secretary
of the treasury for his course in connec-
ton with the sale of the New York Gus
tom house. He rehearsed the charges
that Secretly Gage had been guilty of
embezzlement in connection with the
sale of the custom house in depositing
| the proceeds in a national bank which
was government depository instead of
the treasury of the United States but de-
clared that this charge would not hold.
His purpose. ho said, was to show that
the national city bank had been favored
on account of tho contributions of its di-
rectors TO the Republican campaign fund
of 1896 and 70 show that the course of
the secretary in allowing the purchase
price to remain in the bank while at the
same time paying relt for the property
and keeping it exempt fromltaxation was
not dealing farely with the trust funds of
the government. Mr.. Hopkins of ILL.,
nois championed the course of the secre-
tary declaring that his reply to the house
resolution answered every charge
brought against him and displayed bust
ness ability that must meet the approval
of all fair minded people. lie insisted
furthermore that the title to the custom
house passed to the bank when i. pur-
chased and took possession of the prop
erty and that that the property had not
been exempt from taxation since it had
been purchased.
| The debate caused very little excite
ment aud there was no attempt to renew
the assault upon the secretary after Mr..
Hopkins closed. Tho urgent deficiency
| bill will be taken up for consideration
under the five minute rule tomorrow.
| Immediately after the reading Of the
| journal, the House went into comm ittee
OF the whole and took up the oonsidsra-
ton Of the urgent deficiency part ofthe ap-
preparation till 1t was agreed that gen.
eral debate upon the bill should continue
tnrou ghout the day; that tomorrow the
bill should be read fer amendment under
the five minute rule. Mr.. Cannon. chair
man Of the appropriations committee.
opened the debate with a general ex-
planat ion Of the items in the bill.
Mr. Cannon was asked by Mr.. Loud OF
California. about the Item Of $50, coo for
rural free delivery and replied that 1t had
been found that 500, 600 had been appro-
priated for the present fiscal year. That
money had been largely expended and
unless this appropriation WAS made much
Of the service now in operation would
have to be discontinued. Mr.. Cannon
confessed that the manner Of the expsndi-
turs Of this money did not meet his ap-
prevail. He believed 1t the duty of the
executive to ont the garment according to
the executive appropriation.
The department. had no right TO create
q condition which nscessitatsd a detioien :
oy appropriation. He should vote for the
appropriation bill he said, but he should
fall in his duty did he not call attention
to the NAL Decentralization of the depart
menk
Mr.. William Alden Smith Of Michigan
declared that what the department had
done. had met the approval Of the pc ople.
Mr.. Mcfsas Of Arkansas made a gener al
plea for economy In expenditures at the
outset Of the consideration Of appropria-
ton bills. The revenue this year wo uld
not exceed 5000, oo0. 900. while the treasury
estimate aggregated s7sa Don. 900. Msssrs
Loud of California, Livingston Of Georgia
and Griggs OF Pennsylvania supported
the rural free delivery.
MIR. barney Of Wisconsin gave some
figures In support Of the appropriation.
Mr.. Butler Of Pennsylvania and Mr..
Lands OF Indiana, gave high praise to
the rural free delivery system.
MIR. Robinse of Indiana, expressed the
opinion TINT Congress 50 In the regular post
office appropriation bill would vote a
million dollars for rural free delivery.
MIR. Ball of Texas introduced the debate
the question Of expansion. he had read
extracts from the declaration Of indie
psndencs. the speeches Of James wilson
Of PennsylvaniA in the constitutional
convention and of Abraham Lincoln at
Get ysburg. It was long step. he said.
from the conceptions Of the government
portrayed In these uttsrancss to the dsela-
rations Of the spokesman Of the present
ladmtnistration.