New-York tribune., 1906-06-22
PRESIDENTS EXPENSES.
Proposed Tra0elling Fund Again
Discussed iR Senate.
- % Trieune nur.au-1


80 tne sundry civil hl by the Senate Conmittee
,rrropriating E5eo 10 pay the Presidents travel
~,s expenses IL Is true that the only Republicans
so expressed themselves in opposition 20 this pro
-~or were Messrs McCumber 81 North Dakota
,,s Heyhurn. of Idaho. hut it was an unvvelcome
,-o-ise 20 the Republican members 70 IND tha.
- of their number would take such a view n,
.,is ouestion Senator Hepburn contented himself
,sb expressing the opinion that the provision was
,,o-stirutional. but Mr.. McCumher not only ex-
.,ssed this view but argued the proposition a.
,rch length snd often reiterated his arguments
rhsr he WAS suspected in some quarters OF hn-
,,stsriuc He was supported ny Senator Nc
rsurn Of Mississippi. who opposed the appropria-
,,or on the ground Of ''Jenersonian simplicity"
,-ttsstrc that for the government 10 supply A
,s-~4sre and horses for the President was a far
,-v from the cay when Jefferson rode his horse
% -be Capitol and tied q 10 tree while he took
.ns oarh ~ ofice. and that n was a departure in
ne direction ~ dangerous extravaganza and effete
txu-v He was severe in his condemnation. but
,o1ov-ed rhe line Of argument which has always
hser more Jess popular among a certain class
~ Democrats. Senator Spooner supported the
amendment and asserted in replying 10 Mr.. No
o--rhe~ that 81 was constitutional but finally
sha-6o-es the attempt convince his opponent.
senator Hernenway, the author Of the amendment
smoke heartily in its favor
n luu IN the debate on the Panama Canal
All Senator Hale called up the Sundry Civil
nm and Senator McIAurin continued his speech.
bsrur last night. in opposition TO the appro-
r-arior for the travelling expenses OF the Presi-
os-r Ee based his objection the ground
that = makes a class distinction. and said he
Vas opposed that principle. He objected not
c-lr -o the Presidents "galvanting about over the
colrrt-y" but also his using the public money
n invite such representatives Of the press as he
might desire have with him-such would give
cut the kind of information would suit him
srd conceal such he did not want printed II
s-v revspapermen were 10 be invited. all should
Re IN had been said that, except for the Presidents
trps about the country, the Railroad Rate bin
would never have received the popular approval
mar had been given It. but Mr.. MoLaurin declared
ttaf t1s could not be the case. The President is
20, alone re said, in advocacy OF the Rate bill Had
10, ~. BRYAN. ''one OF the greatest men ever
produced by the country" been advocating this
knd AZ legislation long before the Presidents mes
ssFe of 1874? r. he said the President is 10 be
allowed 10 travel about the country at public ex-
perse other officials should be courTeouFly treat
t6 The Vice President. for instance. should be
permitted 10 make hts views known 70 the country,
r. view q the possibility Of assassinations
senstor McCumber objected to the provision on
co1stru,ional grounds. saying that the proposed
arur1I-iation comes within the inhibition against
euoluments and increase in salary.
Senator Hale said that the constitutional question
hs5 been raised n committed. where II was agreed
thst The amount might be raised by the Controller
Senator's he said. must decide the principle for
themselves.
These remarks had been made by way OF inter
ruat.0n Of AIr. McLaurin, who. when he was able
10 resume said he had not intended 10 raise the
corsttutional question. lie stood on the broad
ground that the simplicity OF our form OF govern
mont is being invaded. in that the provision looks
10 discrimination. The disposition is 10 allow the
President TO think for Congress. Mr. Mcl-aurln cid
not Ike that plan. and would have the President
communicate with Congress by message. Ny. Nc
Iarn disavoWed any special reference 10 the pres-
ert chief Executive. saying that his remarks sp-
Piled the Office. Yet he said, tie present oecu-
rsut Of the White House had been the cause Of
much expense 70 the government In this conneo-
ZION ba referred 10 the appropriation Of 100000 for
improvements 10 the executive mansion. and said
q yacht and horses aud carriages are proVloeo
by The government
senator Hale declared that the government horses
and carriages are not used for private purposes
He had no do-bt he said that the President had
bought and paid for all the equipages used by his
family and for private purposes.
Senator Foraker suggested that, as the President
IS the commander in chief OF the army and navy.
be has right public vessels for public pur-
poses and Senator Tflnnn SAID that the Fresi-
dents time is so completely occupied that he must
D. Considered attending 10 public business wher-
ever Doc may be
AT This point consideration % the canal bill was
resumed and the Appropriation bill was tempo
rsrly laid aside.
When consideration Of the Sundry Csvl bill was
resumed. after the action ~ HE Senate on the
Panama Canal bil. Senator Hale expressed the
hone that The measure might reach q vote to-day.
Ee said that the vote Of The Senate on the canal
tn had had the effect of eliminating the canal
question from the Appropriation bill, thus leaving
nothing in dispute but the item for the payment OF
-ae travelinr expenses of the President
senator McC11r1ber took The floor in opposition 10
the amendment for the payment Of The Presidents
travelling accounts. He argued 10 show that the
proposed law would have the effect Of abrogating
M ami Pass law. II" he said looking al Sen
ator Henenway who sat directly in front OF him.
'trs Senator should accept a pass from railroad
company The prison hars would h. opened TO Jet
him .r bur T. the President should invite him TO
rde with him. the law could nor interfere with
him II amounted 10 saying that there is one law
for those who hold ofoe and another for those who
CO not and none for those who hold the highest
of5oe
BAILEY sNEERS AT THE PRESIDENT
Senator Hale called attention 20 the fact that the
a. larry ~ -se President cannot be Increased 50 as
. The increase apply 20 the present executive,
ard Senator Bailey suggested that an Increase be
provided and made applicable 10 the next incum-
bent. He admitted that there might be a need for
present enlargement of the Executives income say
irc thar he had heard that there had been an in
crease ~ S0Oa0 in expenses in the incumbency OF
The present President. 7 don't know how that may
b." he said and al that I have TO say is that II
Il IS true be has cost more and is worth less than
any President have ever had"
senator spooner thought the proposed appropria-
l0r could be used by the President only IN paying
travelling expenses while official duty. but Mr..
NcCUuber replied that 81 Is necessary that the
President should travel IN order 10 perform his Off
ca- acts. Senator Carmack declared that no ex-
peLsss had ever been incurred by the President on
Official business, and Mr. EpOoner expressed the
opinion rtat Presdsnr Mckinley official
cuy when he went 10 Buffalo. where he met his
Mr- McCurnber found in the provision = tendency
toward European systems. permitting reL1nCe.
he SAID We might well look forward 20 the time
when tnere wound be chanberlaias. Eeepers OF this
tlng and that
Senator Hemenwsy said that the President did
not travel over the country because be wanted 70
Gayel but because the peopls OF the county want