The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-11
SHOOTING STRAWS
At TRUST CYCLONE
RooseveIt's Program Ridi-
culed by Democrats.
EX-SLAVE PENSION BILL
Adyen' urers Imposing on the Credulty Of lg'
norant kegfoes---Mr, Cannon Says no
Such Bill is Likely to Pass
Congress.
(By the Associated Press.)

-h1SO~-N~N
Washington. d. c. Feb 10-The House
today adopted the conference report on
the Department of Commerce Bill by a
vote of 215 to 10. One epublican tMr.
LittIefield, of Maine), and nine Democrats
voted against this action. Several Demo-
Gratis took the position that 'the Nell
son amendment to the Bureau CT Cor
porations was a weak and Intellectual at
tempt to provide the machinery for cor
poration publicity. Mr.. Mann, CT Illi-
nois, on behalf of the epublicans con-
tended, on the contrary, that it was
better measure of publicity than mad
been presented in any other bill.
After this conference report was dis
posed of the remainder of the day was
devoted to the Sundry Civil Appropria-
tion Bill. Mr. Cannon, chairman of the
Appropriation Committee. gave notice
that at the proper time he would move
two amendments. one to provide for the
purchase of a site and the erection of a
three-story 4QO-room office building Cor
members, to be cannected with the capi-
tol by a subway and to cost 50 800, ,000
and the other an appropriation ot ST.
500, 900 to carry out the original plans
for enlarging the main wing of the capt.
tol.
The notable feature of the general
debate on the bill was a speech by MIR.
DeArmond, of Missouri, on the Hanna
bill to pension ex-slaveS. He spoke in
a sarcastic vein but the subject assumed
a serious phase when Mr.. Richardson. of
Tennessee. stated that adventurers in
the South were using the bill to impose
on ignorant, credulous negroes and called
upon Mr.. Cannon to give assurance that
the passage of such a measure was not
contemplated. This assurance Mr.. Can
non gave.
Mr.. DeArmond, of Missouri, denomina-
ted the bill recently introduced by SEN
ator Hanna to pension the ex-saves a
curious evidence OF the prevailing trend
OF politics." which was more valuable
as piece of political manouevering
than as a piece of prospective legisla-
tion." The introducer of the bill, he
said, announced that he was not can /
didate for the Presidency, but from good
authority came the announcement that
there were no trugtr. The exact facts
could not be balanced in the public mind
after study of both statements. The
negro delegate, he said, was an impor-
tant factor in Republican national con-
ventions and there was nothing like
making preparations in good time. 1t
was an interesting game and those not
concerned could watch it with equanim-
ity. 1t was a farce. he said, but still
farces had their solemn aspects. And
it was SOLDERING to think of the old ne
groes in their cabins in the South giving
up their earnings until the time came
f1tr for Of IN o;r
natural protectors-the white people of
the Soifth. Democratic applause.)
Mr.. Cannon in reply treated Mr.. De
Almonds remarks lightly, calling atten-
tion to the fact that Senator Hanna's
bill had been introduced "by request"
But Mr.. Richardson, OF Tennessee, put a
different view on the matter. He stated
seriously that companies were already
being formed and circulars were being
sent out to ignorant colored people by
unscrupulous adventurers and he thought
both sides should join in assurance to
them not to invest their quarters and
dimes in this chimerical scheme
Mr. Cannon responded that all should
understand, rich and poor, white and
black. cultured and ignorant. that the
government promised to all alike equal
portunity and under it each must work
out his own salvation.
Mr.. De Almond was not satisfied with
this statement, but asked for more
specific assurance and in reply Mr. Can
ron stated with emphasis that if the lg-
norant We're being imposed upon they
should be undeceved-that in his JudS-
ment no such bill could or would pass.
When the conference report on the De-
partment of Commerce Bill was present
cd MIR. Richardson, of Alabama, SAID ne
did not believe the Nelson amendment
was aimed at the trusts.
lie said it was a travesty upon what
1t claimed to be. 1t was, he said, an ul-
ira diluted dose. "Its purpose. he de-
cared, was not to authorize the PreSi-
dent to proceed against the trusts, but
SIMPLY to secure information upon which
he could base recommendations. This,
ne said. was puerile response to the
bold threats which were heralded abroad
that an extra session would bo called
unless effective legislation were enacted.
1t was "a pretext and sutefuge."
Mr.. Ball, of Teaxs, who followed Mr.. |
Richardson, ridculed the programme of
the administration regarding anti-truet
legislation The administration. no sai6 |
was represented as anxious to secure tho
passage of the Nelson and Elkins' hills |
and it was pretended that the Standard
iOl Company was sending kilograms to
prominent Senators against their mas
sage. He did not believe it. 81 do not
believe" said he, 'that John D. Rookie
feller or any other trust magnate has