The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-24

The House yesterday passed the Ray bill
providing for the extradition to Cuba OF
fugitives from justice. Chaplain Couden
in his opening prayer, thanked God for the
higher civilization Of our day; that il
was harder for men to do wrong and cas-
Ter for them to do right than ever before
In the history of the world. We thank
Thee he said. that the blush of shame
mantled the cheek of every honest Ameri-
can when the news of the recent frauds ir
Cuba was made known. And we pray thai
the culprit may speedily be brought to
Justice, that We may give the world ar
object lesson of the manner in which We
deal with fraud and perfidy."
Mr.. Ray, Chairman of the Committee or
the Judiciary, asked unanimous consent foI
consideration of the bill reported by that
committee to amend section $780, Revised
Statutes so as to provide for the extradi-
ton Of Nicely, the Cuban postal embezzler
Consent was given and one hour and twen-
ty minutes was given for debate. Mr. Ray
explained the necessity for the Legislation
and the changes it makes in the law.
Mr.. De Almond Interrupts.
Mr.. De Almond interrupted Mr. Ray and
Q lively tilt ensued between them over the
facts involved In the case and the necessity
for the proposed law. Getting the floor
Mr.. De Almond made a speech against
United States occupation of insular pos
sessions. which, he said. was accountable
for recent frauds. The only law in those
countries. he said was the arbitrary rule
nfs ha ino fha
Committee on Ways and Means attempted
today, he said, to exert some more arbi-
trary rule by arranging for a session dur
ms the recess, in which to put out politi-
cal matter in support Of a reign that ought
never to have been begun and which
should be speedily ended. He read an
amendment which he wanted to propose,
chiefly declaration that nothing in the
bill should Justify the United States in
retaining control In Cuba longer than was
absolutely necessary. His remarks were
greeted with applause.
Mr.. Cannon, whom the Republicans have
put forward on several occasions to reply
to Mr.. De Almond. followed He said
that the proposed legislation was designed
to cure wrong and he was In favor Of II.
Mr. Cannon said:
THE majority in control of the House
and the Senate and the country has to do
nority to criticise. Yet there are minori-
ties and minorities. have seen minori-
ties in the House Of Representatives that
sought to make legitimate criticisms with
view to lettering the proposed legisla-
tion. That is the real province of the mi
nority. But SO far as can discover, the
minority as voiced by the gentleman from
Missouri have but one function, and that
( is to calamitize. II you bring anything
here OF a practical nature and propose to
consider It, enact it with a view to the
common good Of the service we have. a
jeremiad which has well nigh become pc
+ riodical is heard from the gentleman from
Missouri who has last addressed the
House. Not content when the matter
comes in with calamatizing-an l speak
respectfully-he scolds, and, as We boys
used to say at school. makes mouths
do not know whether 1t hurts him, and
perhaps 1t does not hurt anybody, but
do know he certainly does not help legis-
lation."
Mr.. DeArmond-It is not SO much to
critietse good legislation as to denying
the House-the right to consider amend
ments on bills that are proposed.
Mr.. Cannon-Well, I thought that
amendment, as 1 perceive and conceive
from what little have heard, was not in
good faith to forward legislation, but
when II is a proposition to perform and !
posture, then II becomes the duty of the |
majority. under the rules Of the House, |
to move on.
Mr.. De Armond-I will ask the gentle |
man what right he has to assume that the |
is not proposed in good faith. |
and would further ask him what right |
he has to assume that il is not good leeis-
lation?
Mr.. Cannon-The right of exercising that
little intelligence that the Almighty has
given me, to discriminate about PROPOSE
ton when 1t is made REINFORCED by the
light / get from the uniform position of
my friend from Missouri at all times.
Compliment to Cannon.
Mr.. De Armond-If the gentleman will
use that intelligence of which he has
spoken so slightingly-for he has a great
deal of it-and will use that sense of fair
ness which / will not undertake to exag-
gerate where he is SO well known, he will
probably reach different conclusion from
that which he has now.
MT Cannon have no pride at any time
as Republican and / would not have If
were Democrat or even If were Pom
uiist- have no pride in the shortcomings
'f public servants anywhere whether 1t be
ID the United States, Cuba, or the Phil
lppine Islands. in Missouri, or in Illinois
an y"here- have no pride in it; / think
II Is Always a matter of modification and
regret 10 me Tor a man TO 20 wrong.
IA oonclusioL Mr.. Cannon said tina. inc
In Cuba had no MONOPOLY In
Under our civilization under
o =. eaeral and state constitutions. ofic ais
y, =, sissourl liinois. Nebraska, and New
York violated the laws All these nyo.
tectfons and preventives did NOT mako ia
cials honest
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi said tho
bill was absolutely unnecessary and nre.
sented the United States in the attitudo
Of seeking law that would permit il 10
estradite man to itself. He would.
however, vote for the bin because he
would not give anyone an excuse of IRE
text for not Furnishing Nicely and other
thieves, "a condition that is the natural
outcome of carpetbagging everywhere"
MI Ray took the floor again and was
old by Mr.. De Almond that his assertion
ha; numbers OF Democrats were opposed
o the punishment of criminals was gra-
uitous and unfoundei. Mr. Ray said the
gentleman was in that happy frame of
mind where he did not know what he
would do.
M. re hfWond Said ne thought the bill
ouid be improved by amendment, and he
'eheved the Dill should not be passed iltil
ne House had had an opportunity to
mend IT, ,
Mr.. Ray, continuing, said that the {
amendment OF Mr.. De Almond would rot c
hect the bill at all. except to conGne its !