The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-16

Principal Causes More Contention.
The bill making appropriations TO pro-
vide for the expenses of the government OF
the District of Columbia for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1901, was passed by
the House Of Representatives az 1910
o'clock yesterday afternoon. Though very
few changes. and these of a minor char
acter. were made in the bill as reported
from the Committee on Appropriations.
two serious contentious arose in the mat
ter of public schools and charities. Mr..
Bell of Colorado sought TO amend the bill
by increasing the compensation to be paid
to the principal of the Central High School,
and Mr. Ray of New York made an attack
on the Hart Farm School. which involved
him in an unpleasant controversy with
members Of the Committee on Appropria-
lions.
Under the head of charities in the bill
as reported was the following;
For the Board of Children's Guardians.
created under the act approved July &c,
1892. namely: For administrative expenses.
including salaries of agents, not TO exceed
s2,4OO; expenses in placing and visiting
children and all office and sundry ex
penses, 81 600.
For the care of feeble minded children.
board and care of all children committed
to the guardianship of said board by the
courts OF the District. and for the tenn
porary care Of children pending investiga-
tion. or while being transferred from place
to place $40 600: Provided, that the Board
OF Children's Guardians are hereby direct
ed tn o Farm
during the fiscal year 1901 for the care and
support of not less than fifty boys at the
rate OF 500 each per annum."
Mr.. Ray Objects.
Mr.. Ray promptly made a point of order
against that provision requiring the Board
Of Guardians to contract with the Hart
Farm School for the care of fifty boys. He
said that the provision recited was an at
tempt TO take money out of the public
Treasury to pay the debts of private per-
sons, and he would exert himself to defeat
a project which had for its aim such a
gross misapplcation of public moneys
Mr.. Grout Of Vermont, in charge OF the
District Appropriation bill, arose and said
that If the gentleman from New York
wished TO stand by his point of order. the
provision could be stricken out Of the bill,
but. Mr.. Grout said Il feel that the gen.
against that paragraph if he understood
the situation and knew the good which that
provision would DO"
Instead OF modifying Mr. Ray the plea
of the member from Vermont seemed to
stimulate him to a more determined at
tack on the paragraph which he denounced.
Growing iercer in his hostility. he said
boldly:
1T is d steal"
This remark caused somewhat OF SEN
sational fiutter on the Republican side OF
the chamber and would without doubt
not have passed unnoticed but the first
member TO challenge Mr.. Ray and pre-
eipitate the discussion was Mr.. Richard
son of Tennessee. He arose and begging
the leave of the Chair, asked Mr.. Ray if
he would yield for a question.
Certainly" said the member from New
York.
81 want 10 ask" said Mr. Richardson
If / understood the gentleman correctly.
I understood him to say that the District
Appropriation bill contains a 'steal?''
Mr.. Ray perceptibly lodged and entered
upon an explanation to the effect that
what he intended to say, and what he
meant to say, II he did not actually say
it, was that If the provision in the bill
went through the House as it had been
reported from the Committee on Appro-
pTldllODS. II operate as Il steal
As Mr.. Ray concluded his explanation
and the minority leader sat down. Mr..
Grout arose. He was not in a happy
humor The accusation made by Mr.. Ray
had angered him Shaking his index finger
at the gentleman from New York, he
said: Il am glad you have modified your
remark, but you did say that this bill con-
tanned steal
He said it was steal" chimed in
Mr.. Richardson.
MIR. Grout Aroused.
Mr.. Grout said: Il am astounded. ut
terly as;ounded, Mr.. Chairman, that
member of this House would stand up on
this floor and deliberately make such a
grossly false charge against this COM
mittee" Mr.. Grout was vsibly agitated
and his manner toward Mr. Ray was de-
mandatory and almost threatening. 81
am astounded, Mr.. Chairman" he said,
time and again while Mr. Ray was try
ing to talk him OF his feet in a futile eff
fort TO make an explanation. Il will not
yield the floor to the gentleman from New
York" shouted Mr.. Grout thoroughly
aroused. The member from Vermont was
declaring in the loudest tones he could
command i am astounded Mr.. Chair
man
Mr.. Ray was making quite cIamor to
the effect that he wanted Ito say what
he had said and the Chairman Mr..
Sherman Of New York; was crying, THE
gentleman frol Vermont declines to
yield" The excitement drew quite a num-
Der of members from the cloak rooms and
the nearby committee rooms to the floor.
When Mr.. CIRCUITS time had expired the
Chairman made that announcement, and
the Vermont Congressman asked unani-
nous consent that hts time no extended
another Eve minutes. There being no OBJ
lection he continued to express his sur
prise that Mr.. Ray should say on the
floor that the appropriation hill contained
a steal. He explained the reasons which
had led the committee TO insert the Hart
farm proyiso in the bill. He considered
II a reformatory institution of great merit,
where rational methods of reformation
were applied to colored boys who had