The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-13
But Mr.. SuIzer's Remarks and Re-
petition of Contents of the Let
ter Permitted to Remain.
PASSAGE OF THE ARMY BILL
AFTER AN INTERESTING STATE.
MENT OF COST OF SOLDIERS.
Figures Given by Representative Me-
CleIlan - Agricultural Appropria-
tion Bill Discussed by Senate.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The House to-
cay passed the army appropriation bill and
entered on consideration of the sundry
civil bill, the last but one of the big money
bills. The debate the army bill was
confined largely to a discussion or the
question of passing bills to remove the
charge of desertion against soldiers, and
was made notable by a statement Of Mr.
Mcclellan, Of New York, comparing the
cost of the soldier in European armies
with the cost of the United States. Ac-
cording to his figures, including the cost
of pensions. etc.. each United States sol
der involved an expense OF $2.S2S. while
a German soldier costs s227 and French
soldier, 1922. Previous to consideration OF
the appropriation bills the letter rejecting
upon Perry S. Heath. which Mr.. Sulzer
introduced into the proceedings yesterday.
was expunged from the record. During the
debate upon the motion to expunge Mr..
Sulzer renewed his attack upon Mr.. Heath,
reiterating his statement of yesterday
that he was willing to father the state
n.ents in the letter and declaring that if
action was brought against him he would
not plead his constitutional immunity.
morning
At the opening of the session Mr.. Knox.
of Massachusetts,, called up the alleged IN
fringement Of the privileges of the House
He claimed that the matter was before the
House in two ways. First. as unfinished
business; second. as matter appearing on
the record over which the House had con-
troll. Mr.. Knox said he admitted that
charge any sort of offense against man
hot a member of the House and not be
liable to be called to account. yet he con-
tended that when a member introduced "a
paper the House obtained Jurisdiction. He
asked the House to adopt a resolution
which he sent to the clerks desk. The
resolution recited the occurrence of yes
terday and directed that the document DC
stricken from the record
Mr.. Bailey. of Texas, asked Mr.. Knox 20
withdraw the preamble of the resolution.
Il, myself" said he. Intend to vote TO
strike this anonymous communication from
the record lRepublican applause.l
Mr.. Knox consented to strike out the
preamble and was about to demand the
PREVIOUS question, but at the request of
Mr.. Sulzer, yielded five minutes to the New
York member. Mr.. Sulzer said he was at
loss to account for the anxiety to pro-
tect the character of Perry s. Heath, who
was not member of the House, while his
party associates were exulting delightedly
in the attack upon his personal character
and reputation. Il stand here" he con-
tinued, ''and say that no man in this House
can charge me with any offense whatever.
or with any misconduct. My life is an open
hook. ana when the gentleman from Penn
sylvania attacked me 1 felt justified In
smoking out the culprit who was respon-
sible for the charges. And 1 did smoke
him out" Mr.. Suzer shouted with arm
upraised.
DEFIES MR.. HEATH
II had the courage to stand here yester-
day and say that I was responsible for
every word of that letter. If Mr.. Heath
thinks there is anything libelous or scan
dalous in that letter, 1 will not plead my
constitutional privilege. will plead the
truth of the statements. This morning a
gentleman, a former member of the House
said TO me. The man who wrote that letter
knew Heath like book; every word in II
Is true have no objection TO striking
the letter from the record. But l serve
notice that / am going to say everything I'm
that letter and 1 want Perry s. Heath to
answer. II he does he will be fit for the
penitentiary. / want him TO understand
that I am responsible in damages for what
I say. The House has no compunctions OF
conscience when he attacks me- but when
attack him he squeals like pig under n
gate. got that letter in the record. That
was what I was after. 1 am now content
10 have IL stricken out"
Mr.. Knox's motion to expunge the letter
from the permanent record was then adopt-
ed without division.
Mr. Tawney, of Minnesota, chairman OF
the special committee on the ST Louis ex
position, then tried to get up the exposition
bill. but Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the. an
propriations bill. declined to allow II 20
| come up until the pending bills were out Of
the way. and accordingly the House went
into committee of the whole and took I'M
| the consideration of the army appropriation
| bill. II was arranged that the general .,e-
| bate should run for three hours. Mr. Hull.
| chairman of the military affairs committee,
made a brief explanation. The bill carries
Sll7 ss4 s49, $l2 1Ss less than the estimates.
Mr.. Slayden. of Texas. member of the
committee. devoted thirty minutes to dis
cussing the enormous growth in recent
| years to remove the charge of desertIon
| against soldiers OF the rebellion. During
the present Congress. of the 900 private
| bills referred to the military committee.
| 1000 were to remove the charge of deser-
| ton.
Mr.. William Alden Smith. OF Michigan,
| defended the old soldiers against the sweep
| ing charges made by Mr. Slayden.
Mr.. Boutell. of Illinois. and Mr. Clayton.
| OF Alabama. also contended that there were
many meritorious cases among the claim