The National tribune., 1901-02-28
CONGRESS-.
A Synopsis OF the Proceedings
of Both Branches.
MONDAY, FEB. 18.

| IN
MONDAY, FEB. 18.
The Senatezon Monday, Feb. 1s, devot-
ed the day to the Postoffice Appropria-
ton Bill. ~ 8
In the House Mr.. Cannon made finan-
cia statement. He said he had never seen
a minority so strenuous in its insistence
about economy which was less efficient in
holding up the hands of those of the ma
jorty who were trying to be economical.
| He called attention to the fact that the
increases placed upon the River and Har-
Dor Bill and other bills by the Senate
must have the assent Of the House il they
were to prevail. Mr.. Cannon's table showed
the total of appropriation bills up to date.
This was a grand total of S694, is, so,
omitting the S53,000000 sinking fund.
This grand total is S2S, ,256, ,209 below the
estimates, which aggregated S720, ,374, ,S04,
exclusive of the sinking fund. The de-
tailed amounts of appropriation bills was
given us follows:
Agriculture $4.4SS,9OO; Army, S117,-
S47. .749, Diplomatic and Consular, ST.
S0S.S0S; District of Columbia, $500, ,049;
Fortifcation, .S7,227 Al Indian, 1896.
tary Academy, $772653; Navy, $7S.73S,-
9T3; Pension, $145,245, ,230; Postoffice,
S123, ,7S2, ,6SS; River and Harbor, So, ,S02,
I'll: Sundry Civil, $50, ,703,264.
| Explaining the statement in detail, Mr..
| Cannon said:
| "The statement indicates an apparent
increase of appropriations at this session
over those made at the last session of $780,
967. .732.
"Three of the regular annual appropria-
tion bills. and the River and HarbOr Bill,
| show substantial increases which amount
to more than the whole apparent increase,
namely:
:aThe Army Bill, 1892, $50: the Navy
Bill. S13 3.539, ,057; the Postoffice Bill, S10,-
124. .450: the River and Harbor Bill, S22,-
242,711. A total Of S49, ,492 81.
''The pending. Sundry Civil Bill makes
a reduction of S5,616,651.
"On account of permanent appropria-
tions reduction is apparent of $S.354, 900.
Under the funding of the public debt,
provided for by the legislation last session,
| a reduction in the amount of the annual
interest charge has been made, as esti-
mated for on account of the next fiscal
year of So. 400, ,000 as comnared with the
amount carried for the current year in the
annual estimates for permanent appropria-
tons.
For deficiencies, based upon all esti-
mates now before Congress, there is in
dicated a reduction of at least $500. 900,
which will practically offset the increases
which have not been mentioned"
A partisan debate followed as to the
responsibility for large appropriations.
TUESDAY, FEB. 10.
The Senate by vote Of 1a to 40 rejected
the conference report on the Military Acad-
emy Appropriation Bill, the Senators be-
lieving that the clause deharring a cade!
convicted of hazing from holding Office in
the Army, Navy or Marine Corps too se-
we're.
The House considered the Sundry Civil
Appropriation Bill.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20.
In the Senate on Wednesday. Feb. 20,
the Postoffce Appropriation Bill was con-
sidered. An amendment, offered by Mr..
Butler, of North Carolina, to reduce the
pay to railways for carrying the mails
about 9 per cent, was voted down by IL
TO 81. s--r-,
The House disguised the Sundry Civil
Appropriation Bill.
\ Mr.. Pearfe made an unsuccessful eff
fort to secure for the employees OF the
| War Department payment for their over
time work during the Spanish-American
war, amounting to $85,394-92. The
amendment was ruled out OF order.
| The House passed the bill and entered
upon consideration of the General De
fciency Appropriation Bill.
THURSDAY, FEB q.
In the Senate on Thursday a resolution,
introduced by MIR. Jones, of Arkansas, to
discharge the Committee on judiciary
from consideration of the so-called anti
trust bill, and to proceed to the cOnsidera-
ton of that measure, was called up. MIR.
| Hoar Chairman of the Committee, OBJ
jected to the House bill and said that by
Its provisions no labor organization would
be punishable, and pointed out other al
legged defects. He said he was prepared
| to offer Il substitute.
Air. rlatt OF Connecticut, said that
Congress had too much appropriation bill
work before it at this time to now take
up the trust question. The present move
ment was only political game of battle
dore and shuttlecoek, and the question
was too important for hasty consideration.
Mr.. Spooner claimed the House bill was
unconstitutional. All members of the
Committee realized that the evils ought to
be remedied as soon as possible, but he
was net willing that the Committee
should report a great measure like this
| without positive recommendation, and
such recommendation did not seem pos
sible.
the Senate as the unfinished business. Mr..
Spooner tried to get consent that vote
be taken at 3 p. III. March 2, but Mr.. Pet
tus, of Alabama, objected.
The Senate then resumed consideration
of the Postofiiee Bill.
The House resumed consideration of the
General Deficiency Bill. Mr.. Sherman's s
drastic amendment to prevent hazing in
the Naval Academy was ruled out on a
point of order after much discussion Mr.
Hepburn created a sensation. He re-
called the fact that when the Booz case
first attracted the attention of the coun-
try the Superintendent of the Military
Academy rushed into print to declare that
hazing had ceased at West Point. Yet
the Committee of the House had found
Al cases where under-class men had been
called out to engage in brutal prize-fghts.
When he declared that he favored Ger
tain fixed, severe punishment for the
cowing and browbeating Of the younger
class at the Academies his statement re-
ceiyed a round of applause. Why, Mr..
Hepburn asked. was the Navy Depart
ment 5000 men short of its complement
Why had there been 1000 desertions from
the army? Because the men were Amer
ican citizens compelled to serve under
men "schooIed in tyranny and oppres-
SION" These officers, Mr.. Hepburn said.
stood by each other"
81 have in my pocket list of 25 YES
sells of the United States cast away upon