The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-04
ST. Louis Exposition Loan Meets
With Opposition
TILLMAN CALLS IT A STEAL
Bailey Holds 1t to Be Wrong Because
Former Appropriation Was Made
on the Ground That 1t
Should Be the Last.

should Be the LAST
Washington. February 3.-After almost
allowing the amendment to the urgency
deficiency appropriation bill providing
for a loan Of S4.6OO.000 to the St Louis
exposition to get through without any
discussion whatever. the senate today
changed its tactics just as the vote was
about to be taken. and began debate on
the loan provision which continued for
about four hours. and was still in prog
ress when the senate adjourned for the
day
The debate was precipitated by a point
of order made against the amendment
by Mr. Bailey. who maintained that the
national government was not. as such,
concerned with the success or failure OF
any exposition He was supported by
Mr.. Lodge and Mr. EllSns, while speeches
we're made in support of the amendment
by Messrs. Hale, Allison Cockrell, Spoon
err McComas and others.
The debate took a political turn at one
time Mr. German took advantage of a
declaration that the condition of the
treasury was such as to render 1t un-
| wise to enter upon the expenditure to
charge the party in power with msman-
! agement Mr.. Spooner replied in defense
of the administration.
| The debate throughout was excited but
good natured, and the galleries were well
| entertained
The exposition amendment was ameded
at the instance of Mr.. Culberson so as
to authorize the showing of range cattle
at the exposition, regardless of the, facts
as to whether they come from north or
south of the quarantine line.
Bailey Presents Point of Order.
| There were no other important amend
ments to the bill when the first read
| ing was concluded. Mr.. Bailey formally
presented his point of order, which was
| that the proposed exposition loan is gem
cfai legislation not authorized by exist
| ing laws He said Le thought the item
should be omitted, but added that he had
/ very little confidence that II would be.
| Mr.. Hale in charge of the bill responded
| by saying that he was in sympathy with
| Mr.. Bailey concerning the amendment
| Mr.. Bailey asked II the exposition act
did not stipulate that no further appro-
! priation should be made for the exposl-
| tion.
/
| then went on to explain that the govern
ment had that interest in the exposition
| and that the United States was a share
| holder to an extent of one-third of the
| proceeds. Mr.. Hale also explained that
| the government participated to the ex-
| tent of interesting foreign governments
| to participate.
! Pro Tenn President Frye announced
| that he would submit the point of order
! to the senate.
| Before this could be done Mr.. Tilman
| said he wanted to say something on the
| loan or gift the latter he thought as 1t
| was not likely that the government
would ever get anything back In the
| course of his remarks he said South
| Carolina had share of the steal that
| had been secured by other cities and he
| had helped. What he meant was that
| this expenditure of money was unlawful
! and unconstitutional Mr. Spooner re-
marked that the senator from South Car
olina had put himself on record as par
ticipating in a steal.
Amounts to a Steal.
What | mean" declared Mr.. Tillman.
| lis that when congress takes money
| from the people and gives it away for
expositons, II amounts a steal What
/ / want to know is how far we are
! TO go and how much longer we are to
participate in it," Here Mr.. Tillmaa hes
| itated.
! "steais?" interjected Mr. spooner.
| YES steals said Mr. Tillman.
! Mr.. Bacon said that as he intended to
| vote for the amendment he did not want
| the impression to go out that IL was
! In the wrong He thought the appro-
| priation a proper one. In reply to ques-
| ton from Mr.. Bailey he said that abb
stractly he did not endorse the principle
| ~ r.ixt fde IN
! position was now being initiated were TO
| continue he would oppose the practice.
| But in view of what had been done in
| the past he does not consider 1t out of
| place to make the appropriation.
| Mr. Allison supported the amendment
| on the ground that to open the exposition
/ the money Is required.
Mr.. Lodge asked Mr. Allison If II was
his expectation that single dollar OF
this appropriation would be refunded and
| went on to say that 1t seemed to him
much more likely that the United States
would be called upon TO pay the debts Of
another bankrupt fair.
| Mr.. Allison replied that he would not
| condemn the fair In advance He be-
| lieved that II the fair should be properly
managed the money would be refunded.
| Mr.. ElSns suggested that better Sc
curity should be given than the amend
ment requires and made an argument for
what he called business methods. He
suggested that the loan should be en-
dorsed by the business men of st. Louis
i and called attention to the fact that
there Is an imminent possibility Of a de-
| ficit OF 900 in the treasury.
Ample Security Given.
| Mr.. Allison replied that he thought the
| security would be ample but added face
| tiously that 1t might be improved II en-
| dorsed by Mr. Ekins. Mr. Elkins re-
! torted that II his own state was involved
| he would not hesitate.
Mr.. Bates opposed the appropriation
| and Messrs. Perkins and McComas sup
| ported 1t.
| Mr.. Cockrel called attention to the fact
| that the receipts of the Chicago exposi-
tion were over s21. 100000. Of which $4,000,
| 900 were gate receipts. In view of the fac
| that the st. Louis exposition is to con
tinue for seven months, while the Chfcag
| fair was OF only six months duration, MI
| Cockrell said they could be little dout6
the money would be refunded as the
visions give a lien on the entI
| ceeds.
II want z distinctly unders
l