The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-24
IN THE HOUSE.
Medley ExtrnditiOn Bill Passes After
Debate. in Which Some RAN
cor Is shown.

WASHINGTON, May 2s.-The house to-
day passed without division the extradition
Dill formed by the judiciary committee. but
only after debate in which considerable
political rancor was aroused. There was a
division of sentiment as to the duty OF
congress to pass a bill to permit the extra
dtion of Neeley, but the Democrats OBJ
1ected to the language of the bill. which
covered amy foreign country or territory.
or part thereof, occupied by the United
The Democrats wanted the bill to apply
specifically to Cuba, contendng that the
broader language assumed the possibilities
or further acquisitions by the United
states of character similar to that Of
cuba. A motion to recommt with in
structions to change the language was de-
feated by strict party vote.
The house also adopted the resolution
to allow. the committee on ways and means
to sit during the recess of congress for
the purpose of framing a bill for the re-
duction OF war revenues, and the resulu-
ton for sine die adjournment June i. The
Democrats insisted that congress should
reduce the war taxes at the present ses-
sion, but Payne, the majority leader, said
the treasury figures showed that the re
FUNDING OF the bonus now going on would
practically wipe out the surplus fer this
be unsafe to reduce the taxes at this time
Richardson. minority leader. announced
that he was In favor Of the total repeal Of
the war tax on beer.
Blind Chaplain Startles the House.
The blind chaplain, In his Invocation in
the house today rather startled the house
by referring to the Cuban frauds, which.
he said, brought the blush Of shame to the
cheeks of every true American.
We pray" he continued. that the cul-
prit will be brought to speedy justice,
that we may give an object lesson to the
world in dealing with perfidy and fraud. y
Reduction of War Revenue Taxes.
Payne, chairman Of the ways and means
committee. presented from that commit
tee a resolution to empower the ways and
means committee to sit during the recess
to consider the reduction and revision of
the war revenue taxes.
"'rhere is n great demand for the re-
duction Of these taxes" observed Living
ston
why cannot the committee consider
this subject now?'
81 will explain" said Payne, who Of
fered twenty minutes on n side for de-
bate.
Il object" said De Almond. 1.-The en-
tire session has been frittered away
There is no necessity for cutting off de-
bate on this resolution
Payne's Resolution for Adjournment.
Payne then offered the resolution for
sine die adjournment June 6, and pro-
ceeded to answer the inquiry of Living
ston on the other resolution. He explain
ed that the total surplus for the ten
months and twenty-five days Of the pres
ent fiscal year was $50, f5S,2l3. The sur
plus had averaged s.. 600 000 a month until
April. when It fell to $4,000. 00o, and for
the first twenty-five days Of the present
month to less than a million.
He then explained the policy entered
upon by the treasury Of refunding and
8 per cent. bonds In per cents. Already
about S2S, 600 900 Of bonds had been ex-
changed. He pointed out the saving In
interest that would result to the taXpay-
ers. This refunding process, he said, did
not show in the treasury balances, hut as
a draft against the balance Some s25,
100000 of those bonds remained to be re-
funded. or n draft of $50, og, 900 against
the surplus, since March H. That would
cut down the balance To almost nothing.
and In view Of the falling of OF the sur
plus in April and May. II would be unsafe
10 reduce the war tax now. He said the
committee had given some hearings, and
had found that all who paid war taxes
favored their repeal or reduction. but the
majority did not propose to enter upon
legislation now that might create a def
cit In the treasury. tRepuhiican ap-
piauseD During the recess the whole sub
iect could be investigated. and compre-
hensfve and Intelligent measure framed
for Introduction at the opening Of the ses-
sion in December.
Richardson Wants Reduction Now.
Richardson. the minority leader. de-
clared emphatically that congress ought
not to adjourn until some provision had
been made for the reduction OF the war
taxes The report OF the secretary Of
the treasury showed that the surplus at
the end Of the fiscal year would be S0
n0ONOa The gentleman from New York
might tuggle figures. but he could not
Eot away from the fact that the secretary
OF the treasury said there would be a
vast surplus June 80 Richardson said he
was In favor OF repeating the tax on
beer. democratic Rpplause.1
Sulzer declared that the Republicans
never intended 10 repeal the war revenue
act and were planning politics.
Grosvenor's Explanation.
Grosvenor called attention 70 the straits
20 which the government had sometimes
been put by failure OF confidence in ad-
ministrations, and OF the situation that
arose IN 1894 when Democratic secre-
tary Of the treasury asked congress for
power 10 borrow 5000 10000 TO meet cur
rent expenditures Contingencies must
be guarded against II there was any as
surance that the present regime would
continue congress could proceed with
more confidence. We can give no such
assurances" observed Richardson Dem
ocratic laughter
Adjournment Resolution Passed.
The adjournment resolution was adopt
ed without division.
Ray. Of New York, chairman OF the ju-
dietary committee, then secured unani-