The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-16
LIVELY DAY In THE HOUSE
District Bills of Minor Importance
Provoke Much Discussion.
The Alien Ownership Question In
spires Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa ia a
Warm Pronunciation of Kansas
PonuIisfs - Nr. RidEcIy's Vigorous
Rcpiy-Both Measures Finally Pass

Yesterday was District day in the
| House. Only two local measures were
considered. and although they were of
minor Importance they were provocative
of lively debate. Altogether the Dis
trict Committee had anything but plain
sailing for the first District day of the
session. The first bill called up by Mr..
Babcock provides THAT the act entitled
An act to better define and regulate the
rights of aliens TO hold and own real
estate in the Territories, approved March
amended so as to extend TO aliens the
same rights and privileges concerning the
acquisition, holding, owning. and disposi-
tion of real estate in the District of
Columbia as by that act are conferred
upon them in respect OF real estate in the
Territories of the United States
Mr. Babcock yielded to Mr.. jenkins, who
explained the purposes of the bill.
Mr.. w. A. Smith of Michigan doubted
the necessity of the proposed legislation,
and Mr.. Lacey asked that the laws gov
erning the ownership of land be read.
Mr.. Hepburn expressed surprise that his
Populist friends on the other side should
denunciation of alien ownership of land.
In the past alien ownership of land was
burning question with them. and it
formed part of their platform. He wanted
to wake them up and let them know what
was before the House.
This brought Mr.. Bailey TO his feet,
who asked. DO understand the gentle
man from Iowa TO advocate alien owner
ship of land?''
Il am not advocating nor opposing the
bill. / am simply the friend of the Popu
lists" said Mr.. Hepburn amid laughter,
and | wanted TO wake them up.
Mr.. Bailey said he was not Populist,
but he believed in the old doctrine which
prohibited aliens from owning land in this
country and he would try to defeat the
bill
Mr. Ridgely. from Kansas (Pop). said
he was not aware of what was going on.
and thanked the gentleman from Iowa for
his kindness in calling attention to tine
bill. Il am opposed to aliens owning land
in this country and shall vote against the
pending measure said he.
Mr.. W A. Smith of Michigan vigorously
opposed the bill, saying 1t ought to be de-
feated. Aliens should not be allowed to
own land in the District OF Columbia.
Mr.. BabcOck suggested that the differ
ences might be reconciled by adopting an
amendment. which he offered, providing |
hat the act shall apply only to those /
aliens who now own land in the District. /
Mr. Bailey said the aliens were owning |
and- in violation -of law. and they should |
not be permitted to do so.
AZ the suggestion of the gentleman |
from Texas AIR Babeock withdrew the bill ]
temporarily. in order to perfect it
Mr. Babcock then moved to go into Com !
nttee OF the Whole to consider House bill |
j042. which provides:
THAT in order to enable the Commits |
sioncrs of the District Of Columbia to en- !
arge the rooms now occupied by the AS
SCISSOR and Collector of Taxes OF the Dis |
trict OF Columbia. and to rearrange the |
space so as to better accommodate the /
public who have occasion TO transact busi-
less with those Offices and to provide fix
ures and pay other necessary expenses
Incident thereto, and to put in operation
he card system for the improvement of
he business methods of those offices, in
,luding the temporary hire of clerks, the
um of $4,000, or SO much thereof as may
'e needed, is appropriated, one-half out
II any moneys in the Treasury not other
wise appropriated. and the other half cut
IF the revenues of the District OF Column
ia, to be Immediately available"
The report accompanying this bill con-
aims the endorsement OF the District
MIR. Grout objected to the bill. and sug-
,ested that 1t had been Improperly re-
erred to the District Committee. He was
lot. antagonizing the plan proposed, he
aid, but the method adopted. He thought
he bill should be referred to the Com
h;;tee on appropriations. He suggested
hat the bill go over and that Mr. Babco2k
'ffer it as an amendment to the Urgent
IL ~ 4,
This was declined by Mr.. Babcock
The Speaker decided that the bill was
'roperly before the House, and the House
hen went into Committee of the Whole.
Nth Mr.. Hopkins in the chair.
MIR. Babcock yielded the floor to Mr..
enkins. who explained the bill at length
nd stated that IL was not only a measure
4 economy. but would greatly facilitate
he work OF the tax department In fur
fishing information to the taxpayers
Mr.. Bingham contended that the legisIa-
ion was not necessary Appropriations for
he District. he said. came under the juris-
iction of the Appropriations Committee
lie moved, therefore, that the appropria- ,
ion be stricken out.
Mr.. Babcock said It would make a farce
the proceedings to strike out the appfo-
Ration, because If the appropriation bill
hould be reported with that item in i.
would be subject TO a point OF order as | ,
would be new legislation.
MIR. GrOut said it was not new legisia-
on. that If the appropriation for the ,
district were sufficient the District Com ,
iissioncrs had ample authority TO estab- !
sh the card system.
Mr.. Babcock said If the District Com
Iittee had no authority over the bill he
anted TO know it,
Mr.. Norton of Ohio said the bill had been
arefully considered by the committee and
WIS an urgent measure and should be
isposed of without delay. II was tech .
ical point that had been raised by the ,
from Pennsylvania and YER
lont and he asked that they give their
lpport TO the measure.
Mr. Sims contended that the District :,
ommttee had not exceeded its authority. /,
Ie regretted that gentlemen should op-
Ose the bill because they failed 10 take
ivantage OF the rules at the proper time. ..
seemed TO him the gentlemen of the
preparations Committee were too sensi- /,
ye about their rights.
The motion TO strike out the appropria- : :
on was lost by vote OF ayes. Is: noes. As.
The committee then arose and reported
he bill back TO the House, and it was !
sssed
The bill which had been temporarily laid
side was called up by Mr.. Babcock. who !
fered the following substitute which had
zen submitted to him by Mr.. Bailey: y
BE II enacted, etc. That aliens now making :
aim TO title OF real estate in the District Of =
,luinbis are hereby authorized 10 sell and dis .
se OF such claim 10 citizens Of the United q
ates within ten years from the date Of the '
sage Of this act. o
Mr. Bsbcock said he thought the sub a
itute would meet the objection Urged Il
sainst the bill as originally reported.
Mr.. Ridgely was given ten minutes TO
ply to Mr. Hepburn, who had criticised
q position of the ponulists on the nues- | :,