Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1896 — WORK OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

WORK OF CONGRESS.

THE WEEK’S DOINGS IN SENATE AND HOUSE. A Comprehensive Digest of the Proceedings in the Legislative Chambers at Washington —Matters that Concern the People. Lawmakers at Labor. The house Tuesday passed without amendment the fortification appropriation bill carrying appropriations and authorizations involving an expenditure of sll,384,613. The appropriations for fortifications since the Endicott commission in 1886 reported its plan for the defense of twenty-seven seaports, at an approximate cost of $100,000,000, have averaged something over $2,000,000 annually. It was made apparent after a lively colloquy in the Senate that there was no disposition among the silver and Populist Senators to allow the resolution for a Senate inquiry into recent bond issues to lapse. Mr. Squire (Rep., Wash.) made an elaborate presentation of the pressing need of coast defenses, pointing out the defenseless condition of our great sea-coast harbors. In the House Wednesday Mr. Hull, chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, called up the resolution for the reappointment of WilHam B. Franklin, of Connecticut, Thomas J. Henderson of Illinois, George L. Beale of Maine and Geo. W. Steele of Indiana as members of the Board of Managers of the national soldiers’ homes. Mr. Blue made a sensational speech against Gen. Franklin, charging him and Col. Smith (for whom he said Gen. Franklin was responsible) with cruel and brutal treatment of the inmates of the home at Leavenworth, Kan. He moved to substitute the name of Gen. O. O. Howard for that of Gen. Franklin. ‘Mr. Blue said his purpose was to free the Leavenworth home from the drunken and brutal man now at its head. Mr. Blue read a telegram from E. J. Anderson and Others urging him to fight Gen. Franklin’s reappointment and telling him that 60,000 soldiers in Kansas were behind him. He claimed that Gov. Smith maintained |he biggest saloon in Kansas under the shadow of the flag the soldiers fought to save. Last year, he said, the profits of the beer hall alone were $13,000. Mr. Blue also read an affidavit charging that a contract existing whereby the Keeley cure was given to inmates for $6, while outsiders were charged S2O. “Has not the noard made an investigation of Gov. Smith’s administration?” asked Mr. Hull., “Any investigation made by the Board of Managers,” replied Mr. Blue, “is a roaring farce.” With the understanding that a vote should be had Thursday, the House adjourned. The Senate ratified the Bering sea arbitration treaty. The treaty provides for a commission to arbitrate the claims made by citizens of England against the United States for seizures of vessels engaged in the capture of fur seals prior to the Paris award. Mr. Blue’s fight against the reappointment of Gen. William B. Franklin as a member of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteers, which w T as the feature of the proceedings in the House Wednesday, terminated unsuccessfully Thursday, when his amendment to substitute the name of Gen. O. O. Howard for that of Gen. Franklin was rejected, 149 to 61. Several minor bills were passed. The speaker announced the appointment of Mr. Cobb (Dem.), of Alabama, on the Ways and Means Committee in place of Mr. Tarsney, who was unseated; Mr. Aldrich (Rep.), of Illinois, on Banking and Currency, and Mr. Van Horn (Rep.), of Missouri, on Labor. Debate of the resolution for an investigation of recent bond issues consumed the time of the Senate.

The Senate continued debate of th» bond bill Friday, and incidentally Mr. Allen called Mr. Gear a liar. He was compelled to subside, and his words were “taken down.” The net result of five hours’ work on the private calendar in the House was the passage of four pension bills, one to pension the widow of Rear Admiral Foote at SSO a month; the rejection of a bill to retire a hospital steward as a second lieutenant of cavalry and the passage of a war claim less than SGOO. The latter was the first war claim brought before the House for consideration and naturally provoked a general debate on the policy of paying war claims. The Senate Committee on Military Affairs acted favorably Saturday upon the list of managers for the soldiers’ homes, as agreed to by the House. The House* paid tribute to the memory of the late Representative Cogswell of Massachusetts. Gen. Cogswell was one of the most popular members of the House. His career as a soldier and statesman and the nobility of his character were eloquently and warmly portrayed. Before the eulogies began Mr. Cannon reported the general deficiency, the last appropriation bill. Mr. Talbert (Dem.) of South Carolina objected to a pension bill presented by Mr. Cannon (Rep.) of Illinois. Mr. Cannon made a personal appeal to Mr. Talbert. He said it was the first time in twenty years that he had asked for unanimous consent. He reviewed the pathetic history of the soldier who was a constituent of his, shot to pieces and almost totally blind. Mr. Talbert withdrew his objection. Several bills to donate condemned cannon to G. A. R. posts were passed. The Senate Monday discussed sectarian schools in debating the Indian appropriation bill, but no action was taken. The House was entertained by a hot tariff discussion. Several items in the general deficiency bill were finally settled.