Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-19
INDULGE IN PERSONALITIES
Representatives Bandy Words Accusing
Each Other Of Bad Faith.
HOUSE REJECTS ARMY saL COMPROMISE
Refuses - Allow Civil war veterans
Retired with Higher Rank or
Omeers to Make Government
Their Savings Bank.

-
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1s.-The house to-
day by a majority Of 2 to 1 rejected the
conference report on the army appropria-
tlon bill because OF its provisions for the
retirement Of civil war officers at an ad-
vanced grade, and permitting ofhcers to de-
posit money with the government at 8 per
cent Interest. The house emphatically
voted against both propositions and sent
the bill back to conference.
The proceedings on the conference report
were enlivened by a sharp personal clash
between Mr.. Hull (1a.) and Mr.. Slayden
(Tex.). The remainder Of the day was de-
voted to the naval bill. Slow progress was
made, only twenty pages being covered.
Bill is Not Repealed.
The speaker announced that the commit
tee on rules had considered the question
asked yesterday by Mr.. Cooper (Tex) con-
corning a bill passed Monday, which he
thought technically repealed the river and
harbor bill and had found that the as
sumption was incorrect.
Mr.. Hull Qs.) then called up the confer
ence report on the army appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hay (Va), one Of the conferees,
strenuously opposed the adoption OF the
bill, because Of the provisions for the re-
tirement OF army of1ces who served in the
civil war and" permitting army officers to
deposit their money with the government
at Q per cent interest.
Mr., Hay expressed the opinion that the
latter provision would establish a danger
Gus precedent; that it would lead to the
granting Of the same privilege to naval
of1cers and might be extended to civil en-
ployes Of the government. He character
lied 1t "paternalism run mad"
Mr.. slayden (Tex) charged Mr.. Hull with
bad faith In not giving the house a chance
for a vote on the deposit amendment. He
said Mr.. Hull had promised such a vote.
Il desire to say" interposed Mr.. Hull,
that that statement is not true
THE gentleman's courtesy retorted Mr..
S~layden, lis equal to his veracity. 1t lie a
cheap form Of argument which permits the
gentleman to indulge in the expression he
has used and only the fact that l am at the
bar Of the house restraints me from reply
ing to his blackguardism as 1t deserves
This aroused the house and MI. Mann
Ull.) undertook to rebuke Mr.. Slayden. He
said he was surprised that Mr.. Slayden
should use an expression far worse than
that employed by Mr.. Hull.
The gentleman's idea of good manners
does not especially commend itself to
me-" replied Mr.. Slayden.4
He then quoted from the record to show
that Mr.. Hull had virtually pledged the
house an opportunity to vote on this prop
osition.
Mr.. Stevens Mimi moved the adoption
Of the conference report. a
objects to senate Procedure.
Mr.. Cannon protested against the man.
ner in which appropriation bills were
loaded by the senate with all sorts, o.
legislative provisions that were not IN
order in the house. The practice, he de.
clsred. not only demorAlized appropria.
tioh bills, but would breed scandal and
deserved criticism. ~ 49, ''
I'm the house, said he, I'VE ieglslatt
under rules. In another body 1.-THE senatel
they legislate under unanimous consent
Gentlemen know what that means"
Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.) in opposing the
conference report, declared that whether
he had sought to do so or not Mr.. Hull haC
misled the house.
Mr.. Hull concluded the debate, defending
his position and claiming to be merely
carrying out instructions. Personally, he
would have preferred to have allowed the
house to pass upon the amendments sep.
arately.
The conference report was voted down
SO to 60.
The house by specific vote insisted upor
It's disagreement to the retirement anC
officers deposit amendments. The bill wal
sent back to conference and the hou "
sumed consideration Of the naval appro,
priation bill.
An appropriation of 500. 900 for expenses
incident to the occupation Of the new
naval station which the government is t.
acquire from Cuba was placed in the bill
at the request OF the Navy department.
Mr.. Gaines (Tenn) took advantage o.
the item increasing the lir1it Of cost OF th'
new naval academy to 100000 to com
ment on the fact that the increase was de
manded on account OF the higher cost o
material and labor, and offered an amend
ment to admit free OF duty materials fol
the buildings at the naval academy. Thu
amendment was ruled out on a point o
order.
The committee rose and at 5 the hous'
adjourned. .
AENIA%E A ri 0CllDE