The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-11
DeArmOnd Delivers Sarcastic
 Speech in House.
CANNON TREATS II LIGHTLY
He Finally Says, However, Such a Bill Never Would or Could Pass-No imposition on Negroes VIII
 Be Allowed.

washington, February 1o-During to- days session of the house MT. De Armond of Missouri, in brief but exceedingly sar- castle speech relative to the bill recently introduced by Senator Hanna to pension the ex-slaves precipitated quite an inter esting debate. He denominated the bill "a curious evidence of the prevailing trend of politics." which was more val uable as a piece of political maneuvering than as a piece of prospective legislation The introducer of the bill, he said, an nounced that he was not a candidate for the Presidency but from the same author ity came the announcement that there were no trusts. The exact facts, he said, could be balanced in the public mind after a study of both statements. The negro delegate he said, was an important fac tor in republican national conventions and there was nothing like making prep arations in good time.
 It was an interesting game and those not concerned could watch with equanimity. It was farce, he said. but still fare had their solemn aspects, and
 
 groes in their cabins in the south giving up. their small earnings until the time came when they would turn for relief to their natural protectors-the white men of the south Democratic applause)
 Cannon Treats 1t Lightly.
 MT. Cannon in reply treated MT. De Almonds remarks lightly, calling atten- ton to the fact that Senator Hanna's bill had been introduced "by request"
 MT. Richardson of Tennessee treated the matter very seriously. He said that com panies were already being formed and circulars were being sent out to ignorant colored people by unscruplous adventurers and he thought both sides should join in an assurance to not invest their quarters and dimes in this chimerical scheme.
 MT. Cannon responded that all should understand, rich and poor, white and black, cultured and ignorant, that the government promised to all alike equal ity before the law and equity of op- portunity and under it eacn must work out his own salvation.
 MT. De Armond was not satisfied with this statement, but asked for a more specific assurance and in reply Mir. Can
 
 ignorant were being imposed upon, they should be undeceived-that in his judg- ment no such bill could or would pass. At the conclusion of general debate, the bill was read for amendment under the hve-minute rule. It was agreed that at the session on Sunday February 22 eulogies to the memory of the late Rep resentative Moody of North Carolina, should be in order.
 Commerce Bill Agreed On.
 The house adopted the conference re- port on the department of commerce bill by vote of 215 to 10. One republican. MT. Littlefield, and nine democrats voted against this action Several democrats took the position that the Nelson amend ment to the bureau of corporations was a weak and intellectual attempt to pro- vide the machinery for corporation pub licity. MT. Mann of Illinois, on behalf of the republicans contended to the con- trary that it was a better measure of publicity than had been presented in any other bill.
 The remainder of the day was devoted to the sundry civil appropriation bill. Mir. Cannon, chairman of the appropria- tions committee gave notice that at the proper time he would move two amend ments, one to provide for the purchase of a site and the erection Of a tnree-story, four-hundred room office building for members to be connected with the capitol by subway and to cost ySs0O,000 and the other an appropriation of s2500, GOO to carry out the original plans for beau tifying and enlarging the main wing of the capitol.