The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-19
SIayden and Hull Hot Over
Army Bill.
HOUSE REJECTS REPORT
It Provided for Retiring Civil War ofFicsrs at
Advanced Grad', Permitting Them 10
Deposit Money With Government
at Three Pr Cent,
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 1S-The House to-
day by a majority Of two to one rejected
the conference report upon the Army
Appropriation bill because of the pro-
visions it contained for the retirement
of Civil War officers at an advanced
grade and for permitting officers to de- :
posit money With the government at 8
FER cent interest. The House emphati-
cally voted against both propositions and
sent the bill back to conference. The
proceedings upon the conference report
were enlivened by sharp prsonal clash
between Mr.. Hull, of Iowa, and Mr.. Slay-
den, of Texas, The remainder of the
day was devoted to the Naval bill, but
slow progress was made only twenty
pages being covered.
Mr.. Hay, of Virginia, one of the con-
ferees on the Army bill strenuously op-
posed the adoption of the report be-
cause of the provision for the retire
ment of officers who served in the Civil
War with an additional grade and the
provision permitting army officers to de-
posit their money with the government
should deposits draw per cent inter-
est. Mr.. Hay expressed the opinion that
the latter provision would establish
dangerous precedent; that it would lead
to the granting of same privilege to
naval officegs, and might be extended to
civil employees of the government. He
characterized it "paternalsm run mad.
Mr.. Slayden. of Texas, charged Mr.. Hull
with bad faith in not giving the House
chance for a direct vote on the de-
posit amendment He said Mr.. Hun had
lpromised such q vote.
Il desire to say" interposed MIR Hull.
"that that statement is not true"
THE gentIeman's courtesy" retorted
Mr. Slayden, sis equal to his veracity II
is a cheap form of debate which per-
mits the gentleman to indulge in the
expression he has used and only the fact
that | am at the bar of the House re-
strains me from replying to>his black
guardlsm as it deserves" Democrats
applause)
This sharp colloquy aroused the House
and Mr.. Mann, of Illinois, undertook to
lebuke Mr. Slayden. lie said he was
surprised that Mr. slayden should use
an expression far worse than that en-
ployed by Mr.. Hull
The gentleman's idea Of good manners
does not especially commanded itself to
me-" replied Mr.. Slayden, who proceed
cd to say that only very strong provo
cation had induced him to say what he
had He then quoted from the record
to show that Mr.. Hull had virtually
pledged the House an opportunity to vote
on his proposition.
Mr. Cannon protested against the man
ner<<in which the appropriation bills were
loaded by the Senate with all sorts OF
legislation provisions that were not IN
order in the House. The practice, he de-
clared. not only demoralized approprla-
tion bills, but would bring scandal and
deserved criticism I'm the House,
said he eve legislate under rules. In
another body (the Senate) they legislate
by unanimous consent Gentlemen know
what that means" General applausc)
Mr.. Richardson. of Tennessee, and Mr.
Hull concluded the debate and the con-
ference report was voted down.
The House, by specific votes insisted
upon it's disagreement to the retirement
and officers deposit amendments The
bill theh was sent back TO conference.
and the House resumed consideration OF
the Naval Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee, took adyani
age of the item increasing the limit Of
cost of the new naval academy to $10.-
0OO,0G to comment on the fact that the
increase was demanded on account of tho
higher cost of material and labor and
he offered an amendment to admit free
Of duty materials for the buildings at
the naval academy. The amendment
was ruled out on point of order
The House adjourned until tomorrow.