Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-25
58th CONGRESS,
There Are Exciting Times
in the House.
Appropriation for New York
Custom House Nipped.
Personal Remarks the Order of the
Oay-Routine Business.

Washington, Feb. 2i.-m the House
oi Representatives. today, the light of
many years Waged against the appio-
l'ridtIon of F130.600 for rental of the old
New York custom house, resulted III
Il victory, HemenWay Of Indiana. chair
man of the committee on appropria-
tons being unable 10 muster sufficient
strength to retain the provision in the
bill. The opposition was lead BY Sal
Zer of New York, supported by Will
liamS of Mississippi. the minority lead
CT. both Of whom denounced the expcn-
diture as ap ublic scandal and in the
interest of the Standard Oil Co. which
it was alleged was behind the National
City bank. the purchaser Of the build
ing from the government. Although the
bank WAS alleged to have been bought
III" property for S3,O0O.0OO. and to have
seCrcted the amount of the govern
I.eut. it deN eloped that no title had
passed to il :nd that in consequence
ii WAS paying 10 taxes to the state of
New York. The failure of the govern
MELT to give aid WAS described to he
due to The inuence of the Standard Oil
CO..
The action in striking out the provi-
sion was on a strictly party vote.
Crumpacker. Undiana). spoke i'll fav-
or of reducing the representation in
the House Of ErprCS> ntatiVes of those
| states violating the legislation regard
ing IL" Republication of voters. He
said that while the south would he al
| fccteG more than any other part of the
| country. the result WOULD he felt as
much in the stat Of Ma. sachusCttS a.;
| in Mississippi.
1t was while Ii" sunIry civil bill was
| being read for amendment that SulZ"r.
| (Ncw York; strongly opposed the pro-
| VISION tor rent Of the old customs
| house. New York City. IL is notori-
uu.; scandal. L steal and a fraud he
vigorously asserted, AMI he could not
| understand Why the City National
| E5anh haG not lccn compelled to ray to
| the government the purchase money
! FOR the building.
| Sul2cr could not account for the fat {
| that the s:;09o."nU purchase price had
not been turned into the treasury in
stead Of being simply transferred on
| The EankboOlS. cxcep1 That it was ia"
TO the influence which was behind the
knows what trai miluenc" is" he said.
1t ie tn" influence Of the great stand
ard Oil trust that OWLS tlat bank and
| the influence that bank has had in gov
crnm"ntal affairs of this country"
Williams. Mississippi. said the whole
Transaction WAS stamped with fraud
ANA iishoncr.
| ITS Il bare-fpced robbery" added
Eakcr of New York.
| Exulaniug that he WAS not defend
| ing the contract which WAS made by
| Gage, " no was then secretary of the
| treasury. HcmenWay Contende'i that II
| the amount for rent was not appropri-
ated. the bank could go into court and
get Judgment.
Answering Shohcr New York. Hem
cnwaH insisted that former Secretary
Cage WIS not being charged with i"v-
iEy committed a crime. but with hay
| ing made Il bad contract.
lie hasn't committed 4 crime IN
tcrlccted Sulzer. "Mhy. rs soon rs Nr
got an honest President. he had to get
out nf the cabinet
\ plain statement Of the facts in the
ease Was demanded by WiiiIamS WI"
disclaimcd being iii the habit Of light
~ chargin- political o pponcnts WIN
moral cr .inacial wrongs. He hId not
| criticize The original transaction. blt
| liz asserted il WAS the subsequent deal
i,Irs that were surrounded with fr.'ui
IN order To obtain campaign contribu-
tions.
Hemcnway insisted that as Congress
! E1,l authorized the contract Tor Tue
| sal. ~: the buii,Iin- 10 thu bank, II was
| tho du.v of The. government TO comply
| with its terms. The original act pro-
| vi1,ur for the sale he credited |" II
| Democratic congress.
| ON a motion by Sulzer. I" strlKe out
The provision tho result on DIVISION
WAS a tic, - to a. but the vote being
,3ktn w teIlnrs. the motion prevailing
| % To =.
| An am, rdincnJ was agreed to pr"Nia-
ing for an appropriation OF Sz7'ooo -o'
| the. construction of Il liSht house III
Ambrose channel. New York the cost
| for the complcue structure beng unit
cd 10 x1.j.00a. The amendment MAS
substitute for the original propositions
anpropria,ing $4,000 cut right.
Fifty nine of the 10 PAGES had be''l
disposed OF vhel the bill was lald
aside. and at J.O7 p. II. the House al
ioulncd until T. O'Clock tomorrow.