Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-29
PORTO RIcAN TARIFF BILL
Representative Diggs. of New York,
Charges That the Ship Was Supplied
With Costly Silver Service and Cut
Glass Tumbicrs Senate aIr. Davis. of
Minnesota, Advocates Free Trade with
Porto Rico voto to DO TnIscn Oh Bill
Next Tuesday.

Washington, March 2S.-The House,
after passing the Senate bill to APP
prove an adjustment Of the sales of
Otoe and Missouria lands in Kansas
and Nebraska made to settlers in 1888
and agreeing to the conference report
on the pension appropriation bill, de-
voted the remainder of the day to the
consideration of the army appropria-
ton bill. Several minor amendments
were adopted, and about half the bill
was covered.
Mr.. Mahon Pennsylvania moved an
amendment to prevent the Secretary
of War from employing clerks from
outside the pale of the civil service In
his department. This was adopted. An
amendment offered on behalf of the
committee by Mr.. Ash (WisconSin) to
reduce the appropriation for travel al
lowance to enlisted men on discharge
from sS,00o,000 to S200O,000, and to pro-
vide n mileage Communication at the
rate of four cents mile went out on
Il point of order.
4 FLOATING PALACE.
Speaking of pro forma amendment,
Mr.. briggs New York; called atten-
ton to a newspaper article describing
the luxurious fittings of the transport
Sumner, which he said. was remodel
ed at enormous cost. Mr.. briggs said
the enormity of the extravaganza in
the fitting of the ship was beyond ere
dence. An $4,000 silver service had
been placed in her, he said. with cut
glass tumblers which cost 10 cents
piece. The palatial furnishings of the
Sumner were such as could be found
nowhere except upon millionaire's
yacht. He contrasted the condition OF
this transport with those employed by
the Government when the soldiers were
being sent out to fight their country's
battles during the Spanish war. Mr..
briggs said he proposed to Introduce a
resolution to investigate the eXtraVa-
Gance in fitting out the Sumner
RECKLESSNIISS DENIED.
Mr. Hull said the other side was now
occuDying n strange position During
the war the complaint was that the
transports were not good enough. Now
the complaint was that our soldiers
were TO be treated too well. Mr.. Hull
eulogized our transport system which,
he said was the best in the world. If
there was reckless extravaganza in
fitting out the transports. Mr.. Hull said
this information could be obtained at
the War Department. But he predicted
If the information was called for 1t
would be found that, while the troop
ships had been fitted up splendidly
there had been no recklessness in the
expenditure.
Mr.. briggs said his only desire was
to criticise unjustifiable extravaganza
Mr.. Lentz. of Ohio. offered an amend
ment providing that no part of the
money appropriated for the pay of the
army should be paid to the son of any
member of Congress who had secured
his appointment since the destruction
of the battleship Maine. 1t was ruled
out on Il point Of order.
AGAINST EXTRAVAGANZA.
Recurring to the newspaper article
read by Mr.. briggs Mr.. Wheeler. of
Kentucky. delivered an appeal against
extravaganza. If 1t was unDatriotic to
protest against that. he said, ne was
willing to take the responsibility of be-
ing unpatriotic.
Mr. Cochran. of Missouri. also In
Weighed against pronigacy in expendi-
lures.
Without completing the consideration
of the bill the conference report on the
urgent deficiency bill was agreed to.
and at SIS n. M the House adjourned
IN THE SENATE.
Washington. March 2S.-Thc Senate
to-day agreed to vote on the Porto RI
co Government and Tariff bill Tuesday
afternoon at o'clock. An important
uttcrance was made later in the day
on the bill by Mr.. Davis. of Minnesota
He advocated free trade between the
United States and Porto Rico, and
urged that the necessary money to be
raised by taxation be by an Internal
revenue tax levied upon rum and tobac-