The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1900-06-01
Bill Intended TO Cover The Nicely
Case Before the House.
BRINGS UP LIVELY DISCUSSION
Repeal Of War Tax Bill Also On
the BOards--LiYely Debate
I'm the Senate.

2
lively debate occurred in the house
Wednesday over the extradition bill.
The bill reported was general in It's
terms. It was intended to meet the
case Of Nicely, who stole the Cuban
postal funds. The Democrats sup
ported Mr.. Diamonds amendment
to confne the operation of the bill to
Cuba. Mr.. Clayton, of Alabama, stated
the Democratic position in q breezy
speech, in the course of which he
said.
"This kind OF legislation is unpre-
eedented in the history Of the country.
Why the necessity of this measure be-
fore this congress? The uniform policy
of this government for over a hundred
years has been to refuse to pass such
a law as this. The policy has been to
permit the extradition of citizens only
in cases where treaty provisions make
it our duty so to do.
"Now, why is this settled policy Of
the government to be changed? Cen
tlemen who are familiar with this sub
iect will recollect the Morrill, resolu-
ton. offered some years ago, on this
subject, aud they will recollect some
other attempts. Why the necessity of
this legislation? 1t is because this
government has not lived up to its an
cient policies and traditions. It is be-
cause this government is not observing
the constitution with that strict regard
that the fathers regarded it. It is be-
cause this government has not lived
up to its pledges made in the declara-
ton of war with Spain, namely that
Cuba should be free.
Mr.. Fleming, of Georgia. also made
a speech in favor the Democratic
position.
The blind chaplain in his invocation
rather startled the house by referring
to the Cuban frauds, which, he said,
brought the blush of shame to the
cheek of every true American.
eve pray" he continued, "that the
culprit will be brought to speedy JUS
tice, that we may give an object lesson
to the world in dealing with perfdy
and fraud"
The house also adopted the resolu-
ton to allow the committee on ways
and means to sit during the recess OF
congress for the purpose of framing a
bill for the reduction of the war reven-
ues and a resolution for a sine die adj
/ iournment June 9th.
Mr.. Richardson declared emphati-
cally that congress ought not to ad-
journ 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
800, 100000. The gentleman from
New York might juggle figures, but he
could not get away from the fact that
the secretary of the treasury said there
would be vast surplus June both.
Mr.. Richardson said he was i'll favor
of repeating the tax on beer. Demo
cratic applause.
Mr.. Underwood, of Alabama, and
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Massachusetts, also
insisted on immediate repeal.
Mr.. Sulzer, of New York, declared
that the Republicans never intended
to repeal the war revenue act and were
playing politics.
''TheEe will be no repeal of this
law, said he, ''until William J. Bryan
sends his first message from the white
house."
The adjournment resolution was
adopted without division.
CONTROVERSY IN THE SENATE.
Wednesday was day Of rasping po-
litical controversy and oratory in the
senate. With the controversy, those
of the Democratic side of the chamber,
anomalous as it may seem, had little
to do. What by far-seeing senators is
regarded as likely to be the paramount
issue of the approaching national cam
paign was the subject of two notable
speeches, one by Mr.. Platt, of Con-
necticut, and the other by Mr.. Spoon.
er, of Wisconsin. The former was an
answer to the speech delivered a few
days ago by Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia,
on his resolution demanding an inves-
tigation of financial affairs in Cuba.
The speech Of Mr.. Spooner was a
continuation of his address on the
Philippine question. In its course he
became involved in a heated and SEN
sational colloquy with Mr.. Hale, OIL
Maine, over the governments conduct
Of affairs in our ''insular possessions. =
It was a remarkable controversy be
tween two of the best equipped de
baters in the senate and was listened
to with profound attention BY sena
tors.