Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-21

HUGE EXPENDITURES.
Appropriations Rapidly Approach.
ing the Billion Dollar Mark.
The AGRICULTURAL BILL IN SENATE

The Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill In the
House-Llvely Debate on the Rent
for the New York Gus
tom House.
Washington, Feb. 15.-The senate
devoted practically the entire day to
the agricultural appropriation bill.
The measure was not completed. Sen
ator Hale, of Maine, and Senator
Lodge, of Massachusetts, sounded
notes of warning against the enor-
nous appropriations being made by
the present congress. Senator Hale
declared the people of the country
soon would become alarmed and then
those who were responsible for the
immediate expenditures would seek
the rocks and mountains to hide from
the wrath of the people. Senator
Lodge declared that the expenditures
OF the government, as shown by the
appropriations, were approaching rap
idly the billion dollar mark and he be-
lieved IT was time now to draw the
line. Every necessary expenditure
ought to be made, but he asserted that
some bills, notably the river and har-
Dor bills, were loaded down with
needless and useless appropriations.
Senator Money suggested to Senator
Lodge that if wholesome and gen.
uine economy really were desired by
the majority they could cut off $780,
100000 year from the army and navy
by stopping the war in the Philip.
pines.
An amendment, offered by Senator
Hale, was adopted, striking out the
words ito map the soils of the United
States and inserting the following:
For Investigations of soils in the
United States and for indicating upon
maps or plats by coloring or other
wise the results of such investiga-
tons"
Senator Deliver, at the conclusion
Of the reading of the bill for commit
tee amendments, offered an amend
ment providing for government in
spection and certihcation of dairy
products intended to be exported
which, after some discussion, went
over.
A brief night session of the senate
was held to complete the reading of
the District of Columbia code bill.
The events in connection with the
sale of the old New York custom
house to the National City bank,
which heretofore has been the SUBJ
ject of much comment. occupied the
center of the stage during the debate
on the sundry civil appropriation
bill in the house yesterday. Much
excitement attended the debate, Mr..
McRae, an Arkansas democrat, raised
the issue with a motion to strike out
the appropriation of $37l,047 for rent
of the custom house, and with this
motion as Il basis Mr. Jones. of Vir-
gina, launched a fierce attack upon
the manner and circumstances of the
sale and the vast profits which, he
claimed, the bank made out OF the
transaction. Secretary Gage was
sharply criticised and several refer
ences were made to the letter writ
ten by Mr.. Hepburn to Secretary Gage
apropos of the political claims of the
bank.
Mr. Cannon and Mr., Hopkins, of
Illinois, both defended the custom
house transaction and the latter
turned the tables on the democrats
by springing upon them a series Of
letters written by prominent demo-
Gratis, including Senator Jones, of
Arkansas, to the secretary Of the
treasury under the Cleveland admin
.~..3". H-h'"p me ue-n..' = -ss-
eminent funds IN banks with demo-
cratic procivities. His center shot
was letter written by Representa-
tive Richardson, of Tennessee. now
the democratic leader of the house,
in behalf of bank of Murfreesboro,
Tenn. Mr.. Mcliae, Of Arkansas. in
dignantly charged that the letters
were private and had been furnished
to divert attention from the sale OF
the custom house. lie and Mr. Hop
kins had hot words and for moment
it looked as If there would be per-
sonal encounter. In the end Mr.. Me-
Rac's amendment was lost, 80 to IS
strict party yote-and another
amendment offered by Mr.. Richardson,
to provide that the rent should not
be paid until the title to the old Gus
tom house passed from the govern
ment to the bank, failed on tie vote.
The house committee on irrigation
and arid lands Thursday voted to re-
port with an amendment the New
lands bill providing comprehensive
plan of government in reclaiming the
Grid sections of land states. The aid
is accomplished by devotlng the re-
ceipts from public land sales in these
states to the purposes OF reclamation.
These receipts amounted this year to
about St.OOO,00O
After completing ~ Of the 1871 pages
of the III the presidents message
concerning the necessity of rewarding
The ra'al officers engaged in the de-
~ tulrt inn ~ l'eryera'o Haat ,xnu roaJ