The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-07
No Opposition to the Measure Provid-
ing for Reduction of south
ern Representation.
MRS. HARRIsoNs PENSION BILL
1T MAY BE INTRODUCED IN CON-
GREss NEXT WEEK.
Bill Giving $1,000 a Year to Mrs.
Mckinley Submitted to the
House Yesterday.
specIal to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81 hold that the
accounting officers are not authorized TO
allow any payments from the appropriation
made for the national defense (s5O. 100000
after June 30. 1901 This opinion Is given
by Robert j. Tracewell. controller OF the
treasury, the highest officer in the account
ing department of the government He is
the only one who cannot be overruled by
Cabinet ministers or the President. He
has nerve, as this decision clearly indicates
The ruling OF Mr. Tracewell affects the
right of the President to continue to ex-
pend from the S50OO0,OOO national defense
fund placed in Mr.. McKinley's hands just
prior to the outbreak of the Spanish-Amer-
lean war Secretary Root. on Nov. 70,
requested Mr.. TraceweH to reconsider his
decision on this subject Of Jan. 81, 1901,
which the former styled ''misinterpreta-
zion" OF the law. The same view was held
by the controller at that time. In the con-
clusion OF his decision Mr.. Tracewell takes
q very decided and clear stand in the mat
Ter He says: 1T is proper, in conclusion.
10 say that while this case, as now rep
resented. makes IL necessary for me 10 take
10 notice of the accounts of certain execu-
tive officers of the government In regard to
the appropriation. 1 desire to disclaim any
intention in what have said to criticise
their action I'm the matter What i have
written controls myself and controls the
ssdltors. ana If the executive officers are
still OF the opinion that the law has been
misinterpreted by me and refuse TO be
guided thereby their action can, of course,
be called into question by the accounting
officers only when the accounts involving
the payments are before them for settle
ment. At the same time cannot let their
views or actions influence mine against my
own judgment.
war for a decision whether the unexpended
balance amounting 10 $500 000) of the ap-
propriation known the national defense
fund would be available after June 30, 1901
in the fulhllment of contracts properly
made during the fiscal year 1898. / held i'm
my decision OF Jan. 81 1901, that II would
not be so available, and after careful con-
sideration l see no reason to modify that
decision
:. The War Department has outstanding
contracts entered into in 1898 which were
to be paid from the appropriat tion of $50 OOO,-
OOo for the national defense, made under
provision Of Section $500 of the Revised
Statutes Secretary Root. in his communica-
ton, said: 1T appears that the President
and Cabinet were agreed that the national
derense fund OF $5O,000,0O0 could be used
after July l. 1901. IN making payments un-
der contracts properly entered into during
lne year 1898.
Representative Crumpacker has secured
the required number OF names to call a
Republican caucus on the subject of cut
ting down the Southern representation in
the House. 1t is not expected. however.
the caucus will be called until after the
holiday recess. Not content with his sue
cess In this direction, Mr.. Crumpacker is
encouraged to think he can get enough
N
the Republicans in the House as favorable
20 the proposition. No Republican thus far
has declined to sign his caucus petition or
expressed opposition to the proposed cam
Paign which Mr. Crumpacker and Mr..
moody are waging.
Mr. Crumpacker introduced a bill in the
rouse to-day which proposes to amend
the apportionment act passed at the last
session by reducing the representation of
the southern States 1t strikes off repre-
sentatives in Congress as follows: Three
from Alabama, two from Mississippi three
from louisiana, one from Florida three
from North Carolina and two from South
Carolina
Representative Tayler, Of Ohio, to-day
introduced bill to pension Mrs. McKin-
ley at the rate of 5000 year. beginning
Sept. IA. 1901, the date of the death of the
Senator Fairbanks is entertaining Judge
Day. of Canton. the former secretary of
state, who is now on the Federal Bench.
He is in Washington on business connected
with the Mckinley memorial
Xxx
II is understood the bill granting a pen
sion 10 Mrs. Harrison will be introduced
next week and that 1t will be called up for
passage at the same time the bill granting
pension 10 Mrs. Mckinley is pressed TO a
vote There has been no consideration of
fafa Vaf IL
IN Washington that when the bill pension
ing Mrs. Harrison came up Mai Russell
=. Harrison would take occasion IN let the
Senate pension committee know what his
fathers wishes and ideas were I'm relation
10 pension, but il is not likely he will be
called on. Letters have been received from
prominent citizens OF Indianapolis who un-
QuestiOnaby as well as any living men are
competent and qualified to give the views
OF General Harrison on this subject. These
letters Will be used By the committee II
necessary. and II is more than probable
they viii be accepted as satisfactory and
no other inquiry attempted.
Representative Crumpacker introduced a
bill in the House to-day providing for an
amendment 10 the Constitution permitting
Congress 10 tax the capital stock and earn
ings OF corporations.
Inquiries have been received I'm Wash
ington to learn II there are any special
reasons why the name OF Joseph B. Keal-
ing has not been sent TO the Senate with
other recess appointments. There is moth
Ing singular about the omission. There
were hundreds OF these appointments and
the President is sending in the names in
patches. IL is a fact that Mr.. Healing will
have TO early retire from the place he holds
in the Republican Organization. Attorney
General Knox is very much in earnest In