The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-26
CONGRESS DEADL0CKED
OVER OLD STATE CLAIMS


Senate proceedings were conducted with
the usual solemnity. While House mem
bers were singing coon songs. telling
stories and holding mock sessions be-
tween times. the Senate failed to depar
from the usual orderly procedure.
The Senate was stirred somewhat on
the receipt about 2:30 O'Clock Of a
resolution passed by the House providing
for adjournment at 3 o'clock. 1t was
then that the oratorical fireworks were
touched off. Senators Williams of Missis-
sippi and Stone of Missouri berating
Senators Swanson Of Virginia and Cham
berlain for standing out against the House
on the deficiency bill.
"We want to get home" asserted Sena-
tor Stone. Everybody is praying for
adjournment. Does the Senator from
Oregon think il il right that Congress
should he held up in this manner in order
that he may get through claim in which
he il interested?"
II will be frank" responded Senator
Chamberlain. IL may not be right. hut
think have the power to prevent this
bill from becoming a law without the
inclusion of this just and long overdue
claim. am going to stay here week
two weeks. or a month in order that the
Government may pay it's just debt to the
State of Oregon"
Senator Swanson spoke in like VEN
Glaring at the core or more House mem-
ber5 who were seated around the wall
of the Senate chamber, Mr.. swanson
hotly declared ne was tired of the arro-
gance and superiority OF certain mem
bers of the lower branch.
Senator Williams was caustic IN his
criticism of the Senators who were I'LL
bu tering against the defici ncy bill.
"While a member Of the House he said
Il had some experience with the nsolence
of Senators on conference committees
think it is time the House taught the
Senate a lesson.
been intensely amusing for Repub leans
were not that they were hot under the
collar at being held up.
just about the time the Democratic
squabble was at its height Senator
M,aumber made a motion to djourn
IL was defeated.
he hour was then $50. Debate con-
tinued until 4:3s. when senator Smoot S
motion to adjourn was carried, il having
become apparent that there was no pros
pect Of an agreement. The House had
wearied of the job "A few minutes earlier
and had quit for the night. As members
on both sides OF the Capitol tumbled
out in the dawn to their automobil
they c,ssed
Toe present situation in the House and
the Senate may result in the failure of the
general deficiency bill This is not a
regular supply bill. No activity of the
Government will I've crippled if it fails
4. l.. a
men Of the army and thousands of en-
ployees in the customs and internal rev.
enue services will suffer.
L q Government employees. owing
10 deficiencies in appropriations made
for them ast year. have not received
their salaries for June More than SIS
600, 900 is due to the army alone. Appro-
priations to meet these obi bligations are
authorized in the pending bill. II il fails
the army and the Gus ons and Internal
revenue officials must wait until next
winter for their June compensation that
should have bee paid to them on July
/. 1t is acknowledg d that this will he an
extrema hardship.
Senators Chamberlain Of Oregon
Swanson and Martin Of Virginia and Gull
berson OF Texas are being roundly con-
demned for endangering the salaries
OF these employees Tor State claims that
have fingered before Congress for years
and years
The deficiency bill as il passed the House
authorized expenditures in excess of
S8, ,OO0.O00 The amount was increased
by the Senate to more than sll 900 OOD. .
or this more than 5000 900 was repre-
sented in an Indian claim This amend
ment was adopted by the Senate but was
discarded in conference. Other con-
cessions were made by the Senate in con-
ference reducing the appropriations in
the aggregate to about s., ,2a3.OO
The only provisions in controversy are
those bearing on the State claims and
the Senate amendment granting the EN-
ployees OF Congress an extra months pay
thrown out. The Democratic caucus
passed a resolution condemning the EEK
ira month graft" and the House will not
accept this amendment under any cir
Cumstances.
The four State claims in dispute have
been kicking around Congress anywhere
from fifty to 100 years The Virginia
Maryland claims run back to the early
days OF the Government 1t is based upon
an appropriation made at the instance of
President Washington by the Legislatures
OF the two States The capital had been
ington and Virginia and Maryland made
an appropriation in which was an induce
ment to the Government to make the
transfer The Federal Treasury at that
time was depleted. Washington Informed
Virginia and Maryland that the Govern
ment wanted 10 erect buildings in the
new capitai and had no money for the
purpose. Virginia made an appropria-
tion Of SIP 900 for the purpose and Mary
land allowed about 3l0O. 600.
Virginia first made a claim for reim-
bursement. Later Maryland joined in
the demand. The validity OF the Vir-
ginia claim hinges on the meaning of a
term inserted in the grant on motion of
John Marshall, who was then a member
OF the Virginia Leg islature. As the
measure was called up for discussion 1t
provided that the money should be
granted" to the Federal Government.
On motion OF Marshall the word "ad-
vanced" was substituted. Those who
supported the claim contended that the
word advanced" makes it plain that
Virginia made loan and did not present
the Government with a gratuity of $780,
O00 A few years ago the House Com
mittee on Claims made unanimous
adverse report against the payment of
the claim.
The Oregon claim is based on expen-
ditures made by the State about fifty
years ago to repel Indian invaders The
State organized troops, equipped them
and put them in the field TO fight the
Indian. 1t insists that the Federal Gov
ernment should make reimbursement
for the amount 40 expended, The Texas