The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-19
PRESIDENT UNDER FIRE.
Crosvenor Tried 10 Defend Him, but Was
Badly Ratified.
Mr. WHEELER OF KENTUCKY RESPONSIBLE
Mr.. Hawley OF Galveston Engaged I'm
Brief Colloquy with Mr. Will
Hams of Mississtppi.

Washington. April 1s.--The house today
resumed consideration of the naval appro-
priation bill, which was read for amend-
ment under the fve-minute rule.
Mr.. Kitchen IN. c., a member Of the
naval committee made a point of order
against the provision appropriating $780,
900 to be expended under the direction Of
the president to meet unforeseen contin-
gencies. 1t was overruled. and ON an APP
peal the chair was sustained. "a to 20.
Mr.. Kitchen then moved to strike out
the appropriation Mr.. Wheeler CKy) sup
ported the motion. He was unwilling he
said. to place half million dollars In the
hands of the president to use at his
discretion, without an accounting. He said
this without desiring to be offensive.
Mr.. Toss read from the hearing given
by the committee to Secretary Long. de-
failing the necessity for this emergency
appropriation.
Mr.. Kitchen said IL W. ]. Bryan were In
the executive mansion today not a member
on the other side would be willing to
place 100000 at his disposal for use in
precedent.
During some remarks by Mr.. Hawley
tTexas) in eulogy OF the presidents
course Kitchen asked him II the president
had not denied that the constitution, the
greatest OF blessings, followed the flag.
THAT is a technical question: replied
CIR. Hawley.
I'm order not to emharrass the gentle
man. withdraw the question" observed
Mr. Kitchen. amid laughter.
Later Mr. Hawley challenged Mr.. Wheel
er (Ky.) TO give the name OF the officer OF
the United states Of whom he yesterday
expressed the opinion was responsible for
the armor plate trust Mr. Wheeler re-
piled that he had expressed that oplnion,
but he did not give the name OF the officer
whom he had in mind.
Later on Mr.. Grosvenor tOhio) and Mr..
Williams (Mass) became involved In
sharp controversy. Mr.. williams quoted
an alleged interview with the president OF
Western university, In which. speaking
Of the presidents position on the Puerto
Rican bill, he had said that while II might
be proper to speak OF Peel and Gladstone
having changed their minds on public
questions. it would be more precise TO say
that President Mckinley "had permitted
his mind TO be changed for him" (Lnugh-
ter and applause on the democratic sidtl
Does not the gentleman know that the
purported iAterview was utterly repudi-
ated by its alleged author?' asked Mr.,
Grosvenor.
The gentleman does know il. but II II
were repudlated, the anecdote is just as
true on my own responsibility" replied
Mr. Williams. who proceeded to ask
whether It was not true that the pres-
dent had changed his mind on the Puerto
Rican question.
There was considerable fencing. Mr..
Wheeler tKy) taking hand In trying to
force Ihe Ohioan. AT last Mr. Grosvenor
madIan allusion TO Mr.. Williams method
of inlerrupting him, which tho latter re-
senteh with an emphasis that portended y
personal quarrel or the floor. but Mr. Will
liams finally allowed Mr. Grosvenor to
proceed, reserying his reply until the
Ohioan had finished.
docs the gentleman deny that the
president has changed his mind" asked
Mr.. Kitchen tdcln.) addressing Mr. Gros-
venor.
las soon as II became manifest 10 the
president that money had he raised IN
some way and that the ways and means
committee of this house had brought in
tariff bill providing for II or 20 per cent"
replied Mr.. Grosvenor, "the president rec
ognized the right and power of this housa
TO originate that tariff BILL
The gentleman says the president bows
to the will OF congress- iuterposed Mr..
Wheeler "ln the debate on the Puerto
Rican bill when The gentleman appealed
TO his colleagues 10 support the pending
bin he charged a. to be true that the
president OF the United States was then
in accord with him.
Mr. Grosvenor-l say so now.
Mr. Wheeler-He changed his opinion
Mr., Grosvenor--l say he did not change
his opinion in any material respect; ha
iimply changed from the original idea OF
Tree trade to what was almost the condl-
tion of free trade thst we appended Il,
the measure. The country understands so.
Congressman after congressman who stood
here in defense OF the bill has gone 70
MS constituents, Just when tn. democratic
morse was the oudest. and has been sent
back here with unanimity almost UNI
paralleied In the nomination of congress
men. And the great body at Philadelphia
the Manufacturers association. on Yester.
nay approved of the Puerto Rican bill
the very body that a few weeks ago was
quoted here as opposed TO II. (Applaus,
on the republican side,)
The republican party win not lose ans
votes In the coming election because " liz
action on the Puerto Rlcan bill. We are
not holding back the world by the cont
tails and hollering Whoa daughter
on the republican side). We have got
something TO show for our opinions. VIII
ness the splendid organization OF the gov
eminent Of the Hawaiian territory Look
OF the liberal generous, Christian laws
that we have bestowed upon the people of
Puerto Rico. Look at the fact that but
for the Intervention OF a few men on this
side of the water We should have extended
the same benefits OF the constitution the
same liberty OF American citizenship in
embryo. at least TO the people OF tina
Philippine Islands. But wS would nat
consent that you should drive us TO admit
that the people of Puerto Rico and TIE
people of the Philippines were on an dual
footing with the United States (Applausr
from the republican side). We, would nor
consent that millions and millions OF Ma
lays and all these people might come over
here and march Into our labor markets.
and we will make it warm for you before
the campaign Is over. You voted that the
constitution carried equal citizenship To