The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-02-02
GREAT INTEREST
Was Manifested i'm the Determine
OF the Representatives Took Part
in the Discussion-The Urgent De-
ficiency Bill Was Passed Without
Division.


House today voted unanimously Il
strike from the urgent deficiency bill
the provisions for the second pay
ment of mileage to the Senator'S and
Representative Of this Congress and
then passed the urgent deficiency ap-
preparation bill. This action was the
climax to an exciting discussion OF
the mileage problem begun yester-
day. first on a point Of order raised
against the provision by Mr.. Maddox
OF Georgia, then on a motion to
strike out, made today by Mr.. Under
wood, of Alabama.
Argument on the point Of order
that it was not authorized by law
turned on the question of whether
this was the second session of Con-
gress or merely a continuation of the
session convened November 9Th on
the call of the President. Messrs
Fuller, of Illinois and Cooper, OF
Wisconsin, contended that there had
been two sessions, while Mr.<Parker,
of New Jersey, insisted that because
new sanction had been given for
meeting on December 7th, the status
of the session which he held to be
continuous, was not altered.
Mr.. Littlefield supplemented his
argument by reaffirming that there
had been no interregnum between
the two sessions. Mr.. Tawney, OF
Minnesota, as chairman Of the COM
mittee of the whole, in a carefully
prepared opinion, overruled the point
of order against the appropriation,
he rli c
to whether existing law authorized
the payment of mileage was the
point to be decided by him and the
question as to whether the mileage
should be received was for the COM
mittee to decide.
An amendment by Mr.. Grosvenor
providing for the return of the mile
age to the treasurer was agreed to
and Mr.. Underwoods motion to
strike out the provision for mileage
was adopted without a dissenting
vote. The result was loudly cheer
ed.
Deep interest was manifested in
the determination of the question
and there was but few absenteeS
when the House convened.
During the debate Mr.. Parker in
sisted that there was nothing to war
rant the drawing of mileage 70!
travel in 5000 miles during the
period, that the clock was striking
IL. He said that the House hat
talked of horses and carriages used
by the several government depart
ments and made the point that i
would be inconsistent to allow {
fictitious construction on the mile
age item.
Mr.. Livingston, of Georgia, called
attention to the fact that the Houst
on meeting December 7th had mott
fed the President and Senate of it:
assemblage. Why was that done HI
inquired, if this was a continuou.
session.
Mr. Parker replied that It was de
sired to take every precaution, re
Nffirming his contention, however
that the House could not adjourn
the November session without con
current resolution.
Mr.. Maddox said he should vote
against taking mileage. He de
clared that Congress was duty bound
to set examples of economy to th'
government departments.
On viva voce vote Mr.. Under
woods motion was declared lost bu
tellers were demanded.
Immediately both Republican ant
Democratic members arose and al
SlarleQ IOr lne teIlerS- Ihe scene
provoked laughter and applause anG
as the crowd in front OF the speak
er's desk grew denser there were de
mandS to call off the tellers anC
make it unanimous" When all haC
passed and been counted in favor o.
striking out the mileage, those op
posed were asked to vote. but not
single member responded. Thert
was more laughter and applause. and
the chair announced that 167 votes
had been cast in the affirmative anC
none in the negative.
The deficiency bill was passeC
without division just as it came from
the committee of the whole.
A concurrent resolution acceptin:
the statue of James Marquette, mis-
sionary and explorer, and providing
that it remain in statuary hall in tn,
capitol, and extending the thanks o
Congress to the people Of Wisconsin
was passed.
The House adjourned until Mon
day.