The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-27
DEMOCRATS ARE
 WITH ROOSEVELT Agricultural Bill is Considered
 in the House RAILROAD RATES DEBATED House Is Convulsed By Members Quoting Scripture to Justify Dis
 tribution of Seeds By
 Congressman.

Washington, January 26 The agricul tural appropriation bill considered in the House today, but the debate turned principally on the topic of restricting rail roads in the matter of freight rates, the Hepburn bill forming the basis of the dis cussion. Mir Williams of Mississippi said that the democratic party was committed to views such as were expressed by the President in his message to Congress.
 Immediately after convening the House adopted q Joint resolution appropriating S4O,000 to defray the expenses of the Sen ate in conducting the trial of Judge Charles Swayne, after which the agricul- tural appropriation bill was taken up. MT. Currier of New Hampshire was in the chair.
 Mir Litttleheld of Maine put an inquiry to MT Wadsworth of New York, in charge of the bill regarding the policy to be pursued in connection with ap2ropria- tions. He specifically asked if the appro- priations were to be continued at their existing size and "therepy involve the necessity of increasing taxation in order to get more revenue. or if appropriations were to be cut down and thus avoid the necessity for increasing taxation.
 Appauded By Democrats.
 Democratic applause was accorded MT. Wadsworth when he replied that he was in favor of cutting down appropriations for the army and navy.
 Does the gentleman think it wise pru- dent safe or proper" asked MT. Little field, flor to make appropriations which we know are in excess of the reVe- nues we are going to receive"
 That" said MT. Wadsworth. Is question l don't care to answer Under latitude of debate MT. Scott of Kansas discussed the question of discriminating rates by railroads and said that there had been a general demand from the agri- culture section of Kansas for relief
 He called attention to the Hepburn bill regulating rates charged by railways which with the exception of a few de- tails, he said, fully met the demand Tor redmedial legislation.
 Mr Williams of Mississippi inquired if the present interstate commerce com merce commission justified their being legislated out of office.
 MT. Scott replied that he was relying on the good sense and discretion of the President in the matter whose hands should be united in order that he might have absolute freedom to secure men whom he thought best suited to the work.
 general depate followed on the rail road rate question.
 As spokesman for his party on the floor, MT Williams said that the demo- cratic party was committed without ad- dition or subtraction to the recommenda- tions of President Roosevelt in his re- cent message. The democrats, he said. "were glad to have the Presidents views. because it was democratic doctrine and ought to be American doctrine.
 Will Toe-m.k the Tracks.
 .sWe wi4i tOe-mark the Presidents tracks on th!s subject" declared MT. Williams amid general applause, and, he added. facing the republican side we call on you as American citizens to help us toe mark them"
 The appropriation for free distribution of seeds by the Agricultural Department, furnished the text for humorous applause by Messrs Shepard, Texas, and Can dler, Miss for it's continuance. Each convulsed the House with quotations from scripture to show that Congress had divine right and authority to make the distributions.
 Mir. Bell, Cal. made vigorous speech in favor of railroad rate revision.
 He directed attention to the alleged condition of the incorporation laws of New Jersey which, he said, had brought to that state the fame of being the breeding place of mosquitoes, corpora tions and trusts and which were so framed as to protect New Jersey only, leaving them free to prey upon the rest of the country He charged that the impression had gone abroad that Con 
 gress had become subject to corporate influence. and said that if there was such influence in the halls of Congress 1t should be promptly expelled
 Ascribes Sinister Motives.
 Mir Bell ascrbed sinister motives to the use of certain language in the prep aration of the law creating the inter state commerce commission which pro- voked a spirited discussion between him self MT. Mann, H., and MT Williams, Miss, the last named asserting it as his belief that railroad influence was felt in the Senate at the time the so-called Cullom bill establishing the interstate commerce commission was substituted by the Senate conference for the so-called Began bill. The latter bill, he declared, would have fulfilled the requirements.
 The present so-called Hepburn bill. MT.