The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-16


cratic side was that they were not bi-
metallists. They stood for the free and
unlimited coinage of silver and were
silver monometallists. He believed
other nations now should take the in
itiative
Senator Jones, Of Arkansas, believed
the bimetallic amendment had been
brought about by demands of republi-
can bimetallists. 1T is the same old
fraudulent straddle," he declared.
that was put into the republican plat
form of 1896 in order to deceive the vot-
ers." He said the reason for the pre-
sensation of the senate substitute was
that the house measure was too specif-
ic and placed the country too squarely
on the gold standard to suit the pres
ent straddlers.
After the discussion had proceeded
for some time the senate at 5:45 D. m
adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The debate upon the legislative bill
in the house today strayed far from
the bill, touching the question of gov
ernment deposits in national banks,
reckless expenditures for pensions,
and finally drifting into the question
of election methods in Missouri. Some
very caustic things were said on both
sides.
The reports in the contested election
case of Aldrich VS.. Robbins, from the
Fourth Alabama district were SUBMIT
ed. The majority reported for the con-
testant and the minority in favor of
the sitting member.
Mr.. Hemenway made a general ex-
planation of the legislative bill
Mr.. Payne, of New York, the floor
leader of the majority interrupted Mr..
Hemenway to announce that in view
of the failure to reach an agreement
concerning the debate on the leg1sla-
tive bill he would call up the Porto
Rican bill on Monday next.
Speaking generally about the clerical
force in the departments, Mr. Hemen-
way provoked something of storm
by asserting that the departments were
filled with incompetents who were kept
in by political influences. He said
whenever the head of a department
proposed to discharge incompetentS
congressman and senator's bull-dozed
him into retaining them. He cited
case where fourteen senators insisted
upon the retention of man.
Mr.. Moody, of Massachusetts, insist
ed that Superannuated clerks must be
removed. Unless we can get rid of
dead wood" said he, the public ser
vice will break down.
Mr. Bell, of Colorado, discussed the
question of government deposits in ma
tional banks 1t had been contended
he said that banks made nothing out
of such deposits. He said he had writ
ten to the treasurers of all the states
and he had received enough replies to
show that deposits of state funds had
a well-defined market value. New
York received ~ per cent on daily
balances, and per cent. upon special
funds. Florida received 212 and
Georgia 2 per cent.
of 1hrrli fQ1
some remarks concertning pensions
He presented some interesting StatiS-
tics regarding the claims for pensions
on account of the Spanish war From
the tWenty-three regular regiments en-
gagged in the Santiago campaign which
suffered casualties to the number of
1,344, had come 1852 applicants for pen
sions. The eight volunteer regiments
engaged at Santiago which suffered
209 casualties presented 3,5SS applica-
tionS These latter regiments, he Sald
were all from the north. Eight south
ern regiments that suffered loss of
159 had only 761 applications for pen
Sions. This discrepancy he accounted
for by the statement that in the south
the pension mania was not rampant.
T Mr.. Bartholdt, devoted half an hour
to a denunciation of the election laws
| of Missouri. The democratic legisla-
| ture at it's last session, he said, had
imposed Goebelism upon ST. Louis and
| saddled upon the city an infamous po-
| lice bill. The Americans OF
| ST. Louis, he said, supported the ad-
| ministration'S Philippine policy. 10y
| atty to the government was a German
| characteristic. The Irish were natur-
ally "agin the government"
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Massachusetts,
resented Mr.. Bartholdt's reflections
upon the Irish Americans. He declar-
ed that in all her hours of trial the
| Irish had been enthusiastic defenders
| of the Union. He agreed with Mr..
Bartholdt in his eulogy of the Germans.
| But" said he, II think he has offered
| a greatuitous insult to the Irish people
| and 1 hurl it back in his teeth
Mr.. Bartholdt diSclaimed any inten-
| tion of rejecting upon the Irish.
| Mr. Benton, of Missouri, replied to
| Mr.. Bartholdt's attack upon the Mis-
souri, election laws. He said the Mis-
souri, supreme court would declare the
| Nesbitt election law constitutional, in
| which case hereafter no republican
will enter the doors of this house from
! Missouri Democratic applause.)
Mr.. Bartholdt returned to the attack
| on the alleged partican law, and his
speech was reinforced by Mr.. Pearce,
| Of - issouri, who characterized the
| Nesbitt law disgraceful and worse
| than the Goebel law.
| After further discussion the army ap-
! preparation bill was reported and the
house adjourned.