The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-19

DEFENDED THE PRESIDENT
WHO HAD BEEN ACCUSED OF DE-
PARTING FROM ssPLAIN DUTY"
In that He Had Permitted Others TO
Change His Mind I'm Regard to
Free Trade with Porto Rico.

WASHINGTON, April 17.-The debate on
the naval appropriation bill. under the five
minute rule, to-day, drifted into politics,
and for a good portion of the afternoon
members fought hammer and tongs across
the political aisle. The partisan rancor al-
most eliminated in a sensational scene be-
tween Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio. the cham
pion of the administration. and Mr.. Will
liams, of Mississippi. Some of the Demo-
Gratis began worrying Mr.. Hewley. OF Tex
as. by pointedly asking If the President had
not changed his mind on the Porto Rican
tariff and Mr.. Grosvenor finally threw him.
self into the breach. Mr.. Williams made an
interruption that drew sharp rejoinder
from the Ohioan about unfair" advan-
tage taken by the Mississippian. This
aroused the wrath of the latter and after
Mr.. Grosvenor had concluded he made a
stinging response, in which he said parlia-
mentary language would not permit him
properly to characterize Mr.. Grosvenor's
offense. Later Mr.. Grosvenor disclaimed
intentional affront and there the matter
ended. Some progress was made with the
bill, but most of the controverted points
went over motion to strike from the bin
the contingent fund of s500,ooo for the Navy
Department was defeated. A point OF order
against the appropriation Of $S5oooo for the
new Naval Academy at Annapolis was
pending when the House adjourned.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Kitchin.
a member of the naval committee, made q
point of order against the provision In tho
bill appropriating $4,000 TO be expended
under the direction OF the President to meet
unforeseen contingencies.
Mr.. Foss argued that the appropriation
was in order, under the general provision
for the maintenance of the navy.
Mr.. Payne. who was I'm the chair. over
ruled the point OF order and Mr.. Kitchin
took an appeal from the decision. The chair
was sustained-94 to 20.
Mr.. Kitchin then moved to strike the ap-
preparation from the bill.
UNWILLING TO TRUST MKINLEY.
Mr.. Wheeler. Of Kentucky, supported 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 with
out desiring 10 be offensive.
Mr.. Foss read from the hearing given by
the committee to Secretary Long. detail
ing the necessity for this emergency sp-
preparation. AS a general principle, Mr..
contingency appropriation. but he
thought present circumstances warranted
it.
Mr.. Kitchin said that IL William ].
Bryan were in the executive mansion to-
day not a member on the other side would
be willing to place $4,000 at his disposal
for use in his discretion. 1t was bad policy
and bad precedent.
During some remarks by Mr. Hawley. Of
Texas, in eulogy OF the Presidents course.
Mr.. Kitchen asken him IL the President
has not denied that the Constitution. the
greatest Of all blessings, followed the flag.
THAT is technical question:" replied
Mr.. Hawley.
I'm order not TO embarrass the gentle-
man I withdraw the question:" observed
Mr.. Kitchin. amid laughter
Later Mr.. Hawley challenged Mr.
Wheeler. of Kentucky. TO give the name of
the officer of the United States who, he
yesterday expressed the opinion, was re-
sponsible for the armor plate trust,
Mr.. Wheeler replied that he had ex-
pressed that opinion. but he did not give
the name Of the officer whom he had I'm
mind =
Later on Mr.. Grosvenor, OF Ohio. and Mr..
Williams. OF Mississippi. became involved
In a sharp controversy Mr.. Williams
quoted an alleged interview with the Presi-
dent of Western university. in which.
speaking of the Presidents position on the
Porto Rican bill, he had said that while
IL might be proper 10 speak OF Peel and
Gladstone having changed their minds on
public questions. 1t would be more precise
TO say that President Mckinley had per-
mitted his mind TO be changed for him"
Laughter and applause on the Democratic
side
Does not the gentleman know that the
purported interview was utterly repudlated
by its alleged author?' asked Mr.. Gros-
venor.
THE gentleman does not know IL, but
IL it was repudiated the anecdote is 1ust
as true on my own responsibility" replied
Mr.. Williams. who proceeded 10 ask
whether IL was not true that the President
had changed his mind on the Porto Rfcan
question.
WILLIAMS OFFENDED.
There was considerable fencing Mr.
Wheeler. of Kentucky. taking hand IN
trying TO force the ohioan. Al last Mr..
Grosvenor made an allusion 10 Mr.. VIII
;iams's method or interrupting him. which
the latter resented with an emphasis that
portended a personal quarrel on the floor.
but Mr. Williams finally allowed Mr.. Gros-
venor tc proceed. reserving his reply until
the Ohoan had finished.
Does the gentleman deny that the Pres
ident has changed his mind?" asked Mr.
Kitchen. addressing Mr.. Grosvenor
''As soon as It became manifest 10 the
President that money had to be raised in
some way and that the ways and means