The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-04
PAY OF COMMISSION
is PROVIDED FOR
Sum CT Fifty Thousand Allowed
for This Purpose.
OPPOSED BY Mr.. BENTON
The Missouri Representative Insists
That the President Exceeded His
Authority-Senaie to Consider
immigration Bill.
{By Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON December 3.-The
House passed to-day the bill appropri-
ating $4,000 to defray the expenses Of
the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission,
and then adjourned until Friday when
the London dock chare bill will be con-
sidered.
There were two hours of discussion
on the commission bill, during which
the Presidents course in creating the
commission was highly commended ex-
cept by Mr.. Benton. a Missouri Demo-
crat. who contended that the commits
sion was created without authority OF
Jaw or Constitutions There was some
criticism of the nature of the bill al
lowing double salaries to members of
the commission now in government en-
poy. and because the bill left the
amount of the compensation of the
members to the President But all
amendments were voted down, and the
bill was passed without division.
ANTHRACITE ON FREE LIST.
Before the discussion began Mr..
Gaines. of Tennessee, stated that he
Chaia having ruled that amendne T..
we're moi in or er at mis- tin
Mr. Cannon, in charge of the bill. agreed
that the amendment should be read for
information. 1t proved TO be an amend
ment to place anthracite coal on the free
list.
i presume the eleventh commandment
might also be read remarked Mr.. Can
non sententious Y. who proceeded to say
that he had no desire to discuss the
measure. It showed on its face what
it was. II merely provided for TIE ay-
ment of the expenses of the Coal Strike
Commission
Mr.. Benton. Of Missouri, a member of
the Appropriation Committee, declared
that ne could not support the bill AS
an original proposition containing au-
thority for the creation of a commission
to settle the coal strike, ne said ii would
have received his support, but this bill
proposed to place in the Presidents
hands $4,000 for the payment of the
expenses OF a commission for which
there was no authority. statuary or con-
stitutfonal. The President. he said. had
no legal authority for the creation OF
the commission.
RESPECTS TIE CONSTITUTION.
Il know" said he" that TO refer to
the Constitution is to place myself in
the role Of q back number. Neverfhe-
less I do have respect for the Ccnstitu-
ton and the laws, and I do not approve
OF this sort Of proceedings"
DO you think the President should
have waited until Congress enacted a
asked Mr.. Heminway, OF Indiana.
Il believe it was unlawful for the
President to act as he did replied MI.
Benton, Who proceeded to say that his
second objection to the bill was that it
placed $4,000 in the Presidents hands
without any limitation whatever.
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
Mr. Cannon. in charge of the bill.
argued that it should pass in the form
in which presented II the Presidents
action had been without authority of
law or Constitution, Mr.. Cannon said,
il had been taken in response to an
Overwhelming public sentiment. Il
sometimes think" said he. that a just
and righteous public sentiment coming
up from the whole country OF 50. coo. 600
people which begets action for the
express purpose it represents, larger
than the Contitution."
The bill was passed without division,
although there were several dissenting
voices on the Democratic side.
The House adjourned until Friday.