The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-05
SENATE DEVOTES DAY TO
POLITICAL DISCUSSION
Foraker Replies to German and
Tells of Prosperity Under Pres
ident Harrison.
TILLMAN'S RESOLUTIONS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4-The Senate
chamber was again to-day the arena Of an
interesting debate, with the provision in the
urgent deficiency appropriation bill for
loan of $500, 600 for the St. Louis exposition
the basis for the discussion.
The controversy was precipitated by Mr..
Lodge, who quoted many official figures TO
demonstrate that Republican policies had
not been a failure in the United States. He
also charged Mr.. German with hostility TO
the navy
Mr.. Foraker also spoke, devoting himself
largely to comparison of conditions under
the Harrison administration and those un-
der the administration Of Mr.. Cleveland, to
the advantage Of the former. He expressed
surprise at Mr.. Germans remarks concern
country at the close of Mr.. HARRISON ad-
miniStratlon. Every one knew, he said
that the country had enjoyed unprecedented
after the election OF Mr.. Cleveland In NO
vember the prosperity of the country con-
tinued. But confidence of the people gener-
ally was supreme He attributed the change
in conditions to the election OF Mr.. Cleve-
land and Democratic Congress, all pledged
TO repeal the Mckinley law and give us an
approach to free trade-a tarln Tor revenue
only. The panic which eliminated in 1893
began. he said, the morning after the cleo
ton of 1892. 1t was then bankers began 10
Ctll III lHtlr loans, importers 10 IeQuCc thch
orders and manufacturers TO shorten their
pay rolls. There was consequent failing
of in the revenues, but the conditions were
not as bad as had been represented, ana ne
had read letter from the late Hon. Charles
Foster, President HarrisOns secretary OF
the treasury, giving his version OF the sit
uation at that time and explaining the steps
he had taken looking TO the issuance OF
bonds to maintain the gold reserve. In this
letter Mr.. Foster stated he had consulted
Mr.. German concerning the condition or the
intended Issuance
bonds.
Mr. German confirmed this statement and
expressed the conviction that both Harrison
and Foster acted through patriotic motives:
Probably, he said, the use OF the word
bankrupt" in speaking OF the condition OF
the, treasury at that time, was TOO strong;
he had meant only TO say that the condition
was not such as to permit of the successful
transaction of business.
Resuming, Mr.. Foraker said that during
only two years of the Cleveland admins
tation was the export trade in favor OF
the United States, whereas so soon as 1t
was made evident that under Mckinley
there was to be a complete resumption or
Republican supremacy there had been
revival of the prosperity which had been
greater than ever before known with an
average balance OF trade Of over $5OO,OOO,OOO
in our favor.
Mr.. German explained his attitude to-
wards the army and navy and charged
that at the close Of the Harrison admlpis-
tration the treasury OF the United States
was in very bad way.
Mr.. Bailey followed up this charge with
an elaborate presentation of statistics and
contended that the export trade of the
United States under Cleveland was greater
than under Harrison. The exposition
amendment had not been disposed of when
the Senate adjourned.
AT the beginning of the session the Sen
ate passed bill directing the director
of the census to cooperate with the sec
rotary of state of the State of Michigan
in taking the census of manufactures in
Michigan.
One of Mr.. Tillman's resolutions was
amended, at the suggestion of Mr.. Hale,
so as to instruct the judiciary committee
to report TO the Senate what constitutes a
recess of the Senate and what the
powers and limitations of the executive
in making appointments in such cases." In
this form IL was agreed TO. The other reso-
luton, calling on the secretary of the treas
ury for information concerning Mr.. Crum S
appointment as collector at Charleston, was
indefinitely postponed.