Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1894 — THE NATION’S SOLONS. [ARTICLE]

THE NATION’S SOLONS.

SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Oar National Law-Makers and What They Are Doing for the Good of the Country— Various Measures Proposed, Discussed, and Acted Cpon. Doings of Congress. Wednesday In the House the internal revenue bill was placed as a rider upon the tariff bill by a vote of 175 to 56. The entire day was spent In the consideration of amendments which were offered to the various internal revenue features The principal fight came upon the proposal to Increase the tax upon whisky from 80 cents to $1 and to extend the bonded period from three to eight years. These provisions, especially the one looking to an increase of the bonded period, were bitterly opposed by prominent members on both sides of the House, and. despite the opposition, the latter proposition—that is, the increase of the bonded period to eight years—was stricken out, while the increase of the tax from 00 rents to $1 was allowed to stand. Discussion of the bond resolution was continued In the Senate. Messrs. Allen and Hoar argued against the bond issue. The debate on the Hawaiian matter began in the House Friday under a special order. Ihe adoption of the order was preceded by a lively passage at arms between Mr. Boutelle and Mr. Catchings of Mississippi, a member of the Committee on Rules, which resulted in two attempts made by the former to have the words of the latter excepted to by the House in order to subject him to censure. Only two speeches were made. The resolution which formed the basis of the discussion is that of McCreary condemning the acts of Minister Stevens and approving the policy of the President, at the same time expressing the sense of the House that the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands is Inexpedient For this tbe Republicans offered the minority report approving Minister Stevens’ action and condemning the acts of the present administration. The day in the Senate was not an eventful one. After an hour’s debate early In the session tbe resolution of Senator l’etfer was adopted calling upon the Secretary of the Treasury for the names of persons and corporations bidding for United states bonds and the amount of bids and the rate of Interest. The original resolution of Senator Stewart denying the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to issue bonds at this time was taken up and consumed the remainder of the day. Tbe Senate adjourned without action on the resolution. The Hawaiian debate was continued Saturday in the House, but nothing particular occurred. On account of pressure for time it was agreed to extend the debate until 3:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, with the understanding that the Boutelle resolution should be included In the special order, a vote to bo taken at the conclusion of the debate upon both resolutions. The Boutelle resolution recites In its preamble that the President has Invaded the rights and privileges of the House, and reprobates his action as unwarranted and un-American. Some routine business preceded the Hawaiian debate, though Mr. Bland presented the report on the bill to coin the silver bullion seigniorage in the treasury, and gave notice that he would call It np at the first opportunity. A bill to repeal section II of the Revised Statutes, relating to the accounts of the United States Treasurer, reported by the joint commission to investigate expenditures in the executive departments, was passed without objection. The federal elections repeal bill occupied the whole of Monday in the Senate. Senator Chandler concluded his speech, which had extended through two or three weeks, and vas followed by Senator Palmer, who argued that the law having entirely failed of its purpose and being generally obnoxious should be repealed. An animated controversy of the franchise qualifications of the State constitutions of Mississippi and Massachusetts took place between Senators Frye and Hoar on one side and Senators Gray and Bate on the other. The Hawaiian debate occupied the attention of tbe House, a night session being held to permit speeches by those members who desired to talk, but who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to do so on account of the limited time allowed. Representative Warner (Dem., N. Y.) introduced a bill for an elastic currency. It contains many of the provisions of the bill which was reported by the sub-committee on banking and currency as a measure for repeal of the 10-per-cent. tax on State banks. Congressman McGann tried to secure consideration of a resolution favoring impeachment of Judge Jenkins for issuing his famous injunction restraining the employes of the Northern Pacific Railroad from striking. An echo of the recent act of Judge Jenkins’ court In relation to the Northern Pacific Railroad strikers was heard In the Senate Tuesday when Senator Allen introduced a bill having for its purpose “the prevention of the abuse of the writ of injunction.” The bill provides that it shall be unlawful for any court of the United States, or Judgo thereof, to issue a writ of injunction, mandate, or restraining order against any labor organization, its officers or members in any manner affecting their full freedom to peacefully and quietly quit the service of any person or corporation at any time they may see proper to do so. The Senate did not come to a vote on the Federal election bill, as was anticipated. Several Senators, who had not hitherto spoken, desired an opportunity to be heard on the measure, and by unanimous consent the time of general debate was extended until 3 o’clock Wednesday. The House, without the intervention of any other business except the reference of some unimportant bills, v took up the consideration of the resolution of the foreign affairs committee censuring Minister Stevens, and Mr. Outhwaite (Dem.). of Ohio, addressed the House. The Hawaiian debate was concluded, but the McCreary resolution iwas not passed because of the failure of the Democrats to secure a quorum when a vote was taken upon it The Hitt substitute, the Blair amendment, and the motion made by Mr. Reed to recommit were in turn voted down. When the vote came to be taken upon tbe main question, the Democrats lacked seventeen of a quorum.