New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-30
TALK OF DOUBLE MILEAGE
The House Discusses the Question
7Cith Great Interest.
Tnr TELEGRAPH To TIE rRIpUxE.l

Washington. Jan. 29-It can be said authori-
/ tatively that there disposition the pat
/ OF the House Committee Appropriations TO de-
prive the upper chamber of its share CT the benefits
! arising from the additional mileage appropra tion
! inserted in the Urgent Deficiency bill. No spirit
! Of selfshness dominated the committees action
/ Representative Hemenway explained to-day that
the $4,000 necessary 20 defTay the travelling ex-
| penses of the ninety Senators between so on
! December and noon Of the same day had been
omitted through oversight. He asked unan-
nous consent that the item be inserted and there
opposition to the request. for no fair
minded Representative could conscientiously deny
the right Of the Senate TO share In the privilege
Members of the House had heard that signal OF
distress had been h0isted the Senate end of the
Capitol, and believing that brethren should dwel!
together in peace and unity headed their legislative
bark to the Then. too. it is possible that
they took into consideration the fact that the
upper chamber viii closely scrutinZe the provisions
of the Urgent Deficiency bill after the House has
acted it, 1t has been demonstrated before that
the Senate is Jealous of its prerogaves. and an at
tempt discriminate s1i5.oc0 worth Of mileage in
favor OF the House might arouse opposition.
The reading of the bill by sections to-day at
tracted comparatively little attention, but as the
time approached for the consideration OF the mile
age proposition the House rapidly filed. The scene
resembIed. in point OF the number of members in
their seats. the opening day OF a session. Car
nations. the favorte flower OF Mr.. Mckinley. were
conspicuously IN evidence in the coat lapes OF Re
publicans and Democrats alike. 4 touching and
beautiful tribute TO the memory OF the late Presl-
dent. Every member the floor knew that
point OF order to be made against the item OF
mileage. amounting with the amendment which
included the Senate a beneficiary to $4,000 and
the keenest interest manifested in the proceed
ngs Mr. Tawne5 was in the chair. and was we'll
fortified with books and documents containing rsf-
erences to previous decisions He was to decide IN
important question. and he had prepared himself
fully as possible for the ordeal
When the paragraph relating to mileage was
reached Mr.. Hemenway called attention 70 the fact
that provision for the mileage OF Senators had
been omitted from the bill by an oversight. and it
was inserted.
Three or four members on their feet seeking
recognition Mr.. Maddox raised point OF order
against the item. He asked for a ruling as TO
whether. since the mileage provided for the regular
session had been applied to the special session. the
House could appropriate mileage for it's men,
hers.
Mr.. Grosvenor proposed amendment providing
that any member desiring might cover any
money due him under this appropriation into the
Treasury Laughter followed its reading
Mr.. Maddox said he had heard cheap amend
ments offered before. and he could exercise his right
Mr. fIttIe1eid took the sround that there was no
interresnum between the two sessions. and that
made 70 terminate the session without date. and
co1stitntIonaI limitation Therefore. he argued
this has been continuous session and the item
field made AN extended legal argument in support
OF the point OF order. He held that in the early
day when extraordinary meeting OF Congress
extended beyond the day for the converting Of the
regular session IL regarded a continuous
session. He cited precedents. particularly the ac-
ton Of the NLth Congress, and had the careful at
teution OF both sides OF the House. Mr.. Littefeld
said he viewed this question simply as legal
proposition. he had no feeling in the matter.
When he had concluded his legal presentation he
was piled with questions Involving the law and the
Constitution. To one OF them he replied that. IN
his opinion the House in session under the
call issued by tho President.
Mr.. McDermott held, that there Was distinction
between regular and extraordinary session.
The committee with the mileage question
still pending.
Consideration Of the amendment increasing the
approximation for the expenses Of the district land
offices preciptated discussion alleged land
frauds. Mr.. Mondell. OF Wyoming. author of the
amendment. in urging increased appropriation,
called attention to the increased volume OF bust
ness
Mr. Robinson asked r. the increased business
was not die 10 fraudulent entries
Mr.. Monde replied that he had knowledge |
20 that effect and said he believed the reports a
frauds greatly exaggerated by persons IN |
whose interest il is to have such reports circulated
The provision 10 dcfray the expenses Of tho In |
ternstiona Exchange Commission. and another |
provision authorizing the consolidation Of customs
collection districts. were stricken out.