The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-31
MILEAGE GRAFT IS NOT
ACCEPTED BY MEMBERS
Of THE LOWER HOUSE
Is Stricken Out of the Urgent De
fciency Bill and the Meas
TIRE Passed.
LONG, SPIRITED DEBATE
Marked Division OF; Sentiment in
the Speeches, but None ON
the Roll Call.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30-The House to-
day voted unanimously to strike from the
urgent deficiency bill the provisions for the
second payment of mileage to the senators
and representatives of this Congress. and
then passed the urgent deficiency apprO-
priation bill. This action was the climax
TO an excited discussion of the mileage
problem begun yesterday. first on the point
of order raised against the provision by Mr.
Maddox of Georgia, and then on a motion
to strike out, made to-day by Mr.. Under
wood. of Alabama.
Argument on the point of order that the
item was not authorized by law turned on
the question whether this was the second
session of Congress, or merely a continual
ton of the session convened Nov. on the
call of the President. Messrs. Fuller of
Illinois, and Cooper, of Wisconsin, con-
tended that there had been two sessions.
while Mr.. Parker, of New Jersey, insisted
that because new sanction had been given
for the meeting Dec. Z. the status of the
session, which he held to be continuous,
was not altered. Mr.. Littlefield supple
mented his argument of yesterday by re-
affirming that there had been no interreg-
mum between the two sessions. Mr.. Taw-
ney, of Minnesota, as chairman of the COM
mittee of the whole, in a carefully prepared
opinion, overruled the point of order
against the appropriation, saying the par
liamentary question as to whether exist
ing law authorized the payment of mileage
was point to be decided by him, and the
question as To whether the mileage should
be received was for the committee to de-
eide
Mr.. Olmstead, of Pennsylvania. offered
an amendment, as follows: Provided that
no part of this appropriation shall be paid
to any member of either branch of Con-
gress who shall not certify that he, in
point of fact, did go TO and return from his
home between the special and regular SeS-
sions of the Fifty-elghth Congress-" The
amendment was received with both laugh
ter and applause.
Mr.. McDermott, of New Jersey-'I ask
the gentleman TO add: And that he paid
his fare in going to and coming from his
home "
This amendment was lost, but the amend
ment previously offered by GrOsvenor max
ing ii optional with members TO take their
mileage was agreed TO.
At this point a vote was taken on Mr.
Underwoods motion to strike out the mile
age paragraph. on viva voce vote, the
chair declared the amendment lost but
tellers were demanded. Immediately both
Republican and Democratic members arose
and all started for the tellers. The scene
provoked laughter and applause. and as the
crowd in front of the speakers desk grew
denser there were demands to "call off the
telers and make it unanimous" When all
had passed and been counted in favor Of
striking out the mileage, those opposed
were asked to vote but not single mem
Der responded. There was more laughter
and applause and the chair announced that
167 votes had been cast in the affirmative
and none in the negative.
The bill passed the House just as it came
from committee of the whole.