The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-15
PROVOKED MUCH DICUSSTON IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIVES YESTERDAY
DIDN'T GET THE SHORT END
BANK WILL NOT LOSE ON OLD NEW
YORK CUSTOM HOUSE
SALE
FAST NEARING THE BILLION
Even Republican Senator'S Warn
Their Colleagues of Necessity of
Putting Stop to Increase
of Appropriations.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-Before the
consideration of the sundry civil appro-
prlatlon bill was resumed in the house
TO-DAY some routine business was trans
acted. Bills were passed for the relief
OF settlers under the public laws upon
lands within the limits of the indemnity
land grant to the Northern Pacific rail-
road and to extend the privilege of i'm
mediate transportation of dutiable goods
to Milwaukee, Wis.
The senate amendments to the bill for
the creation of a committee to select a
site and adopt plans for a memorial
statue to Gen. Grant in this city were
adopted.
A bill was passed for the relief of Hor-
ace P. Mcintosh, U. S. N, retired. The
house then went into committee of the
whole and resumed the consideration of
the sundry civil appropriation bill
Mr.. McRae (Ark.) moved to strike out
the appropriation of $317,O47 for the rent
of the old custom house, New York city,
and reviewed the transaction relating to
the sale to the National City bank, say
ing that $4,000 was withheld so the title
would not pass to the bank and it thereby
escaped taxation.
Mr.. Cannon, Mr.. Hill Comm and others
defended Secretary Cages action con-
tending that as to taxes under the New
York laws, it made no difference whether
ment. Several New York Democratic
members denied this statement.
Mr.. Jones (Va) read a message from the
treasury department in answer to an i'll
Quiry made yesterday by Mr.. McRae to
the effect that $4,000 remained unpaid
under the terms of the act which au-
thorized the New York custom house
sale; that it drew interest at the rate
of per cent payable at the pleasure
M however later
than the date of the completion Of the
new custom house.
WHAT THE BANK GETS.
Mr.. Jones said the new custom house
would not be completed for ten years.
During those years he said the bank
would obtain $4,000 annually for the
rent of the old custom house; would save
S5O, 600 taxes; would have the use OF
8,2l0000 which, at per cent would Dc
equal to $2s,000. He figured that the
bank would obtain $780,, 900 in ten years,
almost enough to pay for the site, be-
side having the use of millions OF United
states funds deposited with the bank.
In conclusion Mr.. Jones declared that
the transaction was a fraud upon the
government, and if the secretary or the
treasury allowed it to continue he would
be particeps criminis to the fraud Dem
ocratic applauSe).
"A
McRae's motion to strike out the appro-
priation for the rent for the old custom
house, and it was defeated, SO TO SO.
Mr.. Jones then offered an amendment
to nroyide that of the appropriation OF
$371 ,O47 for rent, the secretary OF the
treasury should withhold $4,000 still due
the government on the purchase price Of
the property.
point of order by Mr.. Cannon ruled
out the amendment.
Mr.. Richardson (Tenn) offered an
amendment providing that none of the
rent should be paid until the title pass
ed from the government to the bank
To this Mr. Cannon also made point
of order, but it was overruled. The vote
on the amendment was tie, " TO w.
and it therefore failed.
After completing 43 of the 1Sl pages OF
the bill, the presidents message con
cerning the necessity of rewardins the
naval officers engaged in the destruction
of Cervera's fleet was read, and at 5:35
D. m. the house adjourned.
IN THE SENATE.
The senate devoted practically the en-
tire day to the agricultural appfoprla-
tion bill. The measure was not cohpleI-
ed Mr. Hale of Maine, and Mr.. Lodge,
of Massachusetts, sounded notes Of
warning against the enormous apQroprla-
tions being made by the present con-
gress. Mr.. Hale declared the people of
the country soon would become alarmed
and then those who were responsible for
the immense expenditures would seek the
rocks and mountains to hide from the
wrath of the people Mr.. Lodge declared
that the expenditures of the government
as shown by the appropriations were
approaching rapidly the billion-dollar
mark, and he believed it was time now
to draw the line. Every necessary ex-
penditure ought to be made, but he as
serted that some bills, notably the river
and harbor bills, were loaded down with
needless and useless appropriations.
The speeches attracted much attention
among senators.
A brief night session of the senate was
held to complete the reading of the Dis
trict of Columbia code bill.